sleeping & settling
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This page provides some links to information sources regarding sleeping, settling and crying in infants. If you are in any doubt about your child's health, contact your child health clinic or doctor for professional advice.
settling & crying
Crying is a young baby's way of communicating with you and although
it can be very wearing, a baby usually cries for a reason.
reasons for crying
These are the main reasons for a baby to cry. After a while you will
probably learn to recognise your baby's signs and work out what your child
needs and why they might be crying - but until that time, work through
a list of possible causes:
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Hunger, dirty nappies and too hot or cold are the easiest symptoms to check for and solve. After that, over-tiredness or over-stimulation are major causes of tears in newborns. The signs of tiredness are often misinterpreted as boredom causing the carer to wave more toys in front of the frazzled youngster, over-stimulating them more and setting up a cycle of crying. Recognising the signs of tiredness, such as jerky movements, pulling ears, fussing & wimpering and rubbing eyes (when older), and then putting baby to bed once those signs are seen, can help to get a baby to sleep before they become over-tired.
more information online- Crying Baby from the Parenting & Child Health section of the Child & Youth Health website, CYH, South Australia
back to top successful sleep
Recognising the signs of tiredness is one of the keys to successful sleep in young babies. It can be difficult for a first-time parent to recognise the signs of tiredness, which are often misinterpreted as boredom causing the carer to wave more toys in front of the frazzled youngster, over-stimulating them more and setting up a cycle of crying. The key signs of tiredness are as jerky movements, pulling ears, fussing & wimpering and rubbing eyes (when older). When you start to see these signs, put baby to bed straight away before they become over-tired.
There are different strategies and philosophies on how best to get your baby to be a 'good sleeper'. These can range from 'controlled crying' to 'co-sleeping' and all those inbetween. We've collated below a number of articles from various different sources to enable you to consider all the different methods and then choose which you feel with best suit you, your baby and your family's lifestyle. These articles are written by health care professionals.
Where articles below are provided by specific State Authorities, or are from overseas sources, please note that contact numbers and helplines quoted may only be applicable to residents in that particular state or country.
- Sleep and Settle from Karitane
- Sleep in Early Childhood article from the Parenting & Child Health section of the Child & Youth Health website, CYH, South Australia
| If you want a little extra help, in person, with sleep problems, try the services listed on the following pages - some
offer telephone advice, or courses in sleep techniques, others will come to your home to assist you with settling and sleep problems: - parenting telephone helplines - child health clinics
- companies listed on the parenting clinics, sleep clinics and specialists page
- at home postnatal carers, such as mothercraft nurses There are also resources, such as books and cds available via the sleeping & settling products page. |
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Why not ask other parents' for help? Visit our Community Forum to chat to other parents and ask for their thoughts, help or experiences of any sleep issues that you might be facing. It's free and friendly. Just click here to post your question. |
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12 Ways to Help your Baby Sleep |
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Establishing Successful Sleep |
back to top SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), or 'cot death' is a major concern to new parents. SIDS refers to a sudden, unexpected infant death whose exact cause is not clear. Continuing research into SIDS has shown that the following practices may help to reduce the risk of SIDS:
- place your baby on their back to sleep
- keep your baby's environment smoke-free (read more here on the Smoke Free Zone website)
- don't let your baby get too hot or too cold
- have a clean, well-fitting cot mattress
- make sure baby's head cannot be covered with bedclothes
- make up the cot to place baby's feet at the foot of the cot so he/she can't wriggle under the covers. Covers should come no higher than the shoulders (see diagram online on the SIDS and Kids website)
- tuck bedclothes in well
- 'barren is best' - quilts, doonas, soft toys, pillows and cot bumpers are not recommended
For more information on reducing the risk and SIDS itself, visit the SIDS and Kids website or contact your local SIDS and Kids office.
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SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Guide |
Sleeping Bags
Baby sleeping bags are a great idea if you have a baby who constantly kicks their
covers off. See our sleeping & settling products page for stockists.
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