Please keep in mind that if you are rocking, feeding, or holding your baby to sleep, it is normal for them to fully wake after one sleep cycle if the conditions they initially fell asleep to have changed, often requiring those same conditions to fall back to sleep again 🌸🩷
However, here are our top tips for successfully transferring your baby into their cot:
😴 Wait until they are in a deep sleep, which usually happens about 10-15 minutes into their sleep cycle. If you’ve been holding and rocking your baby to sleep for 30 minutes and then attempt to transfer them, they are more likely to startle themselves awake as they’re gradually coming out of deep sleep and toward the end of a sleep cycle.
😴 Position them feet first and on their side, before gently rolling them onto their back for sleep. Transferring them flat or head first can inadvertently make them feel like they’re falling, which may trigger their startle reflex and cause them to wake and cry, needing to restart the settling process all over again.
😴 Wear long sleeves! It can be tricky to smoothly slide your arm out after having held your baby for so long. Hence, wearing a long-sleeved jumper or dressing gown can make it easier to escape 😉
What strategies worked best for you when transferring your baby into their cot?
If despite these tips your baby is still catnapping, resisting sleep, or waking frequently overnight, book a consultation or download or Sleep Essentials Guide at www.settletosleep.com.au so we can support you in restoring sleep for you and your family 🩷🌸💫