Parents, we’ve all been there. We’ve all had to struggle with a baby’s bedtime problem which has left you and your baby exhausted. Sometimes, you can go weeks or even months without any improvements.
Rest assured, we’ve teamed up with Unnati Patel, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and rested mama friend. As a pediatric sleep consultant, Unnati helps your baby or child get the sleep they (and you) need to feel well-rested. She shares the best bedtime routine for your baby and you to sleep better.
Unnati began her journey to becoming a sleep consultant in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. She was already experienced and helped friends, family members for several years before. She even sleep trained her two young children without needing to hire a sleep consultant because sleep has always been a passion of hers. “I researched everything I could. I learned all the methods. I knew I needed to get sleep myself since I had no village to help.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MOTHER AND WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE?
Motherhood did not come easy for me. It took me several years to even get pregnant. We eventually needed IVF to help conceive our first child (and second). Battling infertility, high risk pregnancies, and almost suffering a miscarriage due to a subchorionic hematoma I feel like I have so much to share and so many ways I can relate to others going through similar situations.
When I did become pregnant, I had no clue what to expect in pregnancy or after giving birth. I raised my children without a village or any other support outside of my husband and occasional hired help. Let me just say that mothering without a village is HARD. That is why I want to make sure no mother has to go through motherhood alone.
WHAT WAS THE TRANSITION TO MOTHERHOOD LIKE FOR YOU?
The first few months after each of my pregnancies were a blur. From nursing every few hours in the middle of the night, not showering for days, to forgetting to eat and nourish my body, it all left me feeling overtired and burned out.
Motherhood was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting for me. When I became a mom, I found myself caring for a brand new human with no guidance or support. At the same time I wasn’t properly caring for myself. I was tired, hungry, in pain, and emotionally drained.
Mothering without a village was the HARDEST thing I ever did. Since having my second, I have been on a mission to not let other mothers feel so alone. Sleep is such a HUGE part of it and that is why I want to help YOU GET RESTED so mothers are able to THRIVE in motherhood.
WHAT IS A PEDIATRIC SLEEP CONSULTANT AND HOW DO YOU SUPPORT PARENTS?
A pediatric sleep consultant is exactly what it sounds like. It is a consultant that helps your baby or child get the sleep they (and you) need to feel well-rested. Let me help you feel supported, rested, and thrive in motherhood.
My approach is simple: RESTED MOM + RESTED BABY = HAPPY FAMILY
I offer a variety of services depending on their needs from an hour long consultation to 3 weeks of 1:1 support packages. You can check out nestedtorestedsleep.com/services for more information.
WHY IS HAVING A BABY BEDTIME ROUTINE IMPORTANT?
Did you know that you can start a bedtime routine with your baby starting from day one? When I had my first, I had no clue what a routine was. By the time I had my second, I became a pro at mastering the bedtime routine.
Research shows that having a consistent bedtime routine helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer which reduces those brutal night wakeups. Keep in mind that those night wakeups can be normal and needed for some babies that need those overnight feedings. Is your baby ready to drop the night feedings but still wakes up at night causing you to feel unrested and tired? Then it may be time to start some sort of sleep coaching to drop those feedings.
WHAT ARE TIPS ON ESTABLISHING A BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR BABIES?
I have a great visual example of a bedtime routine in my free newborn sleep guide that you can sign up for on my website. To start out, keep the routine simple and short for newborns. As they get older, the routine can become longer and more involved. You can create a routine that works for your baby and family. If you do not want to bathe your baby every night then don’t but keep everything else similar.
You can choose from feeding, bath, massage, pajamas, books, cuddles, prayers, and bed. If you offer a feeding session during the routine then be sure to keep it at the start or in the middle. You can also keep it at the end of the routine as long as there is another step from feeding to placing in the crib. For example, if you feed your baby and they fall asleep then try to change a diaper or put them in a swaddle/sleep sack to wake them up a little before placing them in the crib. This is important for babies that have a feeding to sleep association.
WHAT ARE COMMON MISTAKES PARENTS SHOULD AVOID WHEN ESTABLISHING A BEDTIME ROUTINE?
Here are some things you want to keep in mind when establishing a bedtime routine:
- Stop the sleep crutch. If your little one is falling asleep while nursing or bottle feeding then moving the nursing/feeding session at the beginning or middle of the routine can help break that sleep crutch.
- Take turns. Switch off nights with the other parent/caretaker so your baby can get used to other people putting them to sleep.
- Keep it boring. Try not to stimulate your baby an hour or so before bedtime. This means no screen time or loud music/sounds. You can also keep lights dim while doing the routine as well to create a relaxing environment.
- It’s okay to shorten or skip the routine in some cases. Were you out late with your baby? Baby fell asleep on the drive home? Your baby is so tired that it will be impossible to keep them up for 20-30 minutes of the bedtime routine? In these cases it is totally okay to shorten the routine and get your baby sleeping quickly.