Unlike adults, babies typically require 15 to 16 hours of sleep daily, distributed throughout the day and night. You may or may not have complete control over external disturbances, but you certainly don’t want to compromise your baby’s proper sleep! For an ideal sleep environment for babies, any stimulants and disturbances can be minimized by focusing on four key requirements: sound insulation, thermal insulation, safety, and room darkening. Keeping these requirements in perspective, we share our top five tips to create an ideal sleep environment for babies. Following these tips, your baby will be able to sleep long and deep wandering across dreamlands, while you can peacefully handle your routine in the meantime.
1. Lighting and Window Treatments
Babies feel comfortable in darkness as it imitates the darkness inside a womb. By the age of 8-12 weeks, they start producing their own melatonin as their maternal melatonin starts to wear off, for which a dark environment is mandatory due to their high sensitivity to light. Avoid using cool lighting and opt for dim warm lighting that is conducive to sleep.
For blocking the light, blackout window curtains are best in making the space pitch dark. Further, you can hang the curtain’s hardware higher from the windows and let the curtains extend further from the window sills by 2-3 inches. This will prevent light leaks through the gaps, creating an evenly darkened space.
2. Sound Insulation and White Noise
Sound insulation is another non-negotiable aspect for nurseries, but creating a peaceful room can be easier than you think! Include wood and window treatments with thick-woven fabrics like heavy cotton, velvet and wool extensively in the decor as they are great sound absorbers. Made-to-measure blackout window curtains or custom roman blinds that perfectly hug your windows can also be a game-changer for both thermal and sound insulation. Besides blocking unwanted light and aiding in temperature control, they help muffle pesky noises, making your space more peaceful and comfortable.
Further, if you live in a noisy neighborhood, you can try masking the external sounds with white noise. Known to have a calming effect on babies, white noise is recommended for babies under 1. It is a safe and non-habit-forming method of promoting a sleep-inducive environment in which sounds that imitate the whooshing sound inside the womb are created by using static on the radio or a white noise app.
3. Temperature Control
Babies take some time to self-regulate their body temperature, until which setting the right temperature in a nursery is crucial. Ideally, the temperature of the room should be 18°C or 64°F, cooler than your baby’s body temperature. Check their core temperature by feeling their chest and back instead of their hands and feet for more accuracy.
Avoid over-bundling your baby as it may hinder the flow of body heat and cause overheating, you can use a sleep sack instead. And if you are using a heater, keep a close eye just to be careful with any potential fire hazards. You can also use a baby monitor to keep tabs on their body temperature and activities so you can peacefully handle your other businesses or take a well-deserved break!
4. Dressing and Bedding
The right dressing and bedding for babies are crucial to ensure deep and comfortable sleep for your baby. Recommended for babies under 4 months, swaddles are better alternatives to blankets as they recreate the snug feeling inside the womb and also restrict the sudden reflexes that can startle them out of their sleep.
A comforter is like a cuddly companion for your baby that can help with a restful and cozy sleep. Keep it close to you to make it absorb your scent to create a feeling of your presence when you are not around your baby. Make sure it is age-appropriate for a snug fit.
Underneath, place a firm mattress because a soft one invites the risk of sinking, suffocation, and rebreathing. Further, invest in a bassinet or crib to ensure a safe sleeping environment by preventing rolling or falling. This also helps babies to stay on their backs and prevent rebreathing.
5. Distraction-Free Ambiance
A room that is free from distraction makes it easier for your little ones to dive deep into their dreams. Babies are highly sensitive to more than just sounds and lights – colors and decorations can stimulate and distract them too. To keep the environment distraction and stimulant-free, stick to muted colors for a calming atmosphere. Keep toys and decorations away from the sleeping area so that they can rest without getting a hold of anything that can woo them out of their sleep.
Conclusion
Setting an ideal sleep environment can be as easy as dressing the nursery’s windows with blackout curtains and playing white noise on an app. Putting your baby to sleep will definitely be a lot easier after you create such a conducive ambiance for them to relax. Following these tips not only helps with good naps but also allows you to relax and have a moment of peace by giving you better control over external variables like noise and light. We hope these tips will help you get your little ones to sleep in no time so that they wake up fully rested and energized to brighten your day with their giggles!
