MANAGING YOUR BABY’S SLEEP WITH DAY CARE OR OTHER CARERS

Helping your baby learn to sleep and establish a daily rhythm that works for them and your family can be a challenge. So when you’re finally in a good place, it’s not unusual to feel a little nervous when they’re looked after by someone else like grandparents, yaya or day care. You don’t want all your hard work to come undone!

Consistency is the key! Don’t feel uncomfortable talking to them about your baby’s Sleep-Feed-Uptime Cycle, the strategies you’d like them to use to help baby settle and sleep, and safe sleeping practices. It doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate their help or trust the way they (used to) do things. You just know what works for your baby and keeping consistent will help your baby feel safe and comforted, especially when they’re away from you or away from their usual environment. It also means a happy, well-rested baby for everyone to enjoy.

Write baby’s routine down and ask them to follow it as best they can. It’s also helpful to include tips on the tired signs to look out for, what (if any) assistance your baby needs to fall asleep and make sure you pack their usual swaddle or sleep suit.

Until your baby gets used to being put down by someone else, or sleeping in a new environment, their naps and sleep may not be as good as when they’re at home with you. Daycare settings can be very stimulating with lots of noise, light and general activity going on, so some babies find it hard to wind down for their naps. While your baby is adapting to being cared for by others or sleeping in a new environment, you may need to put them down for the night a little earlier. On days that you are at home together, consider shortening their ‘up-times’ so they can catch up on the sleep they have missed out on.