Fathers Fun

Here are 10 tips on how to get through those sleepless nights with your newborn baby.

1. Breastfeeding mothers need help.
Even though the mother is doing the feeding don’t assume she does not need any help. Something my wife really appreciates is when I wind the baby after she has fed him or even change the nappy. It doesn’t have to be every time the baby wakes up but if you do these things now and again your partner will really appreciate it.

2. Take it in turns with your partner.
This one will only work if you are bottle feeding your baby or if mum extracts breast milk and stores it ready for the night.
Arrange to take it in turns to wake up with the baby. For example;
Mum will wake up at midnight to feed the baby as normal.
Then the dad wakes up around 3-4am with the baby and feeds him using either synthetic baby milk or mums stored breast milk
Mum then wakes up 6-7am for the final shift. You can do it this way or swap for dad to wake up first. In doing this both parents get to sleep around six hours instead of just three making the night a bit more bearable.

3. Learn the different ways your baby likes to be held.
Some babies like to be held chest to chest, others like to be cradled and others like to be seated facing away from you. Find the position that your baby feels most comfortable in and try soothing them in that position.

4. Don’t be too proud or embarrassed to sing to your baby.
I have been singing to my children since they were born in fact my two year old daughter, Amanda still asks me to sing to her now. I know for a fact that I sing awful but my kids seem to like it.
The sound of your voice is very reassuring to your baby and it is part of the bonding process. Your baby will quickly learn to associate your voice with safety and security.

5. Gentle bouncing works sometimes.
Sometimes a gentle swaying back and fourth or side to side makes the baby relax and drift off to sleep but be careful not to bounce baby too much or you may upset your baby’s tummy.

6. Use a pacifier, dummy.
My daughter, Amanda refused to accept a dummy every time I put it into her mouth she would spit it straight back out but many babies do accept them and this is a good way to calm and relax your baby.

7. Take them for a ride in a car.
This one is proven time and time again babies and children fall asleep so easy in cars, with my daughter, Amanda, I would only have to turn the engine on and the small vibrations in the car would make her fall asleep. On the downside, occasionally as soon as I turned the engine off she would wake up crying again.

8. Pacing up and down.
Just a gentle walk though your home will calm the baby. This one, I have been doing a lot lately with my newborn son and it does work. I get up and pace up and down and he drifts of to sleep. Sometimes I would think he is sleeping and sit down then the crying would start all over again and back to the pacing I would go. If you have carpets in your home don’t pace in the same place to often or you may end up wearing out your carpet.

9. Try to keep your baby more awake during the day.
If your baby is more awake and active during the day he may sleep more during the night.
When the baby is awake in the daytime talk to them, play with them to keep them more alert and awake. Singing is not advisable as it will make them sleep.
Changing the baby’s nappy regular and giving baths are also good ways to keep your baby awake more.

10. Give a warm bath before bed.
A warm bath is a great way to relax and soothe your baby before bed.

I hope these ten tips will help you get that little bit extra sleep.

If you have other tips to offer then write them in the comments box for other fathers to see.