Any change in a child’s sleep environment can effect sleep. It’s so important to keep things consistent, especially if they are just learning to master sleep skills. For example, if you use white noise (which I love), turn it on when your child starts falling asleep. Then continue to play it all night. If it goes off after 45 minutes like in the super cute sleep sheep, then when they wake up between sleep cycles –(Which is totally normal and is never going to change) … so when they wake up between sleep cycles, the white noise will still be there. If it’s not, it’s a change in their environment that they will likely notice and find disconcerting. Can there really be such a thing as too quiet? For some babies, yes.
Moving to a new house with a new room for the baby is a big change in the sleep environment. Be sure to clearly label all the boxes containing the baby stuff so it’s easy to find. The baby’s room is the first room you set up. (Even before the kitchen) Let your baby hang out with you while you do it or even let them “help”.
Put your baby’s recently used sheets (so they smell like her old room) back on her bed and play a few games of airplane with her bed being the landing field. Make this clearly a play time and not a plop her in bed time. Spend enough time in her room to help her get used to it and make it look like her room as much as you can. Hang the black out blinds or curtains so the late setting summer sun doesn’t make bedtime harder.
If your child is slow to handle change, consider camping out in her room to offer her reassurance that you haven’t left her in a strange place. Some children need you to go through a few steps of your sleep coaching routine again to help them adjust and others surprise you by how easily they make the change.
It’s important to catch your child’s sleep window so you don’t have overtired stress compounding on new room stress. The familiar smelling sheets, the close proximity to parents, the usual teddy bear or special blanket, the soothing calm of darkness and a predictable bedtime routine can help make this a smooth transition.
If the kids are sleeping well, it’s much more likely the parents are sleeping well, too. …Unless you stay up all night setting up the kitchen.
Do you need a sleep plan? Call me for help with sleep issues for Sleeping through the night, napping consistently, or bedtime battles. Free 15 minutes for new inquiry’s. Just call and leave a message.
Tracy Spackman
Certified Gentle Sleep Coach
602-524-7610
www.GetQuietNights.com
https://www.facebook.com/QuietNights