As babies become more active in their exploration, you must take additional safety precautions. Be sure to:
– Keep one hand on the baby whenever you are changing diapers on a changing table. Never leave a baby unattended on a changing table or bed, since babies can easily roll off.
– Make sure the crib sides are always locked.
– Use safety straps when you put the baby into an infant seat, swing, or stroller.
– Remove mobiles and similar toys from the crib as soon as the baby is able to push up on the forearms. An active baby can easily become entangled in a mobile or start mouthing dangerous, small parts.
– Never suspend a pacifier or toy around the babys neck with a string or ribbon. The string may get caught on part of the crib, stroller, or playpen and strangle the baby.
Sleeping Through The Night
Regardless of their sleep patterns, all babies go through several sleep cycles, waking at least one or two times each night. As they get older and feel hungry less often, however, they may go back to sleep after only a few minutes of whimpering or without any crying at all, particularly if they have learned to calm themselves by sucking a fist or gazing at a hand. Parents of calm, quiet babies often say their infants sleep through the night almost from birth, but this is never the case. Rather, these babies are lucky enough to know how to get themselves back to sleep when they wake at the end of a sleep cycle. Some babies need your help to get back to sleep. The following are helpful techniques:
– When you want the baby to fall asleep, place her in a quiet spot where there is no activity to see. » Noise and light can easily wake babies this age. Therefore, youll all sleep better if the baby doesnt stay in your room, where the sounds of squeaky bed springs, talking, and snoring can interrupt her slumber. » Give the baby a good feeding before putting her down for the night. If the baby wakes up hungry in the wee hours of the morning, try giving the last feeding as late in the evening as possible.
– Dont postpone the last feeding so long that the baby gets overtired. If the baby is worn out before going to bed, she is less likely to sleep well.
– Avoid noise, excitement, and excessive activity in the hour or so before bedtime. If you hear the baby whimpering in the middle of the night, wait a few minutes before rushing to her aid.
– If you need to feed or change the baby in the middle of the night, keep the room darkened and be quick and businesslike. Dont pause to cuddle or play with your baby night is for sleeping.
