Written by Andrea Grace, sleep expert for ClevaMama
Clevamama ClevaFoam mattress
Sleep is a wonderful, enjoyable process, during which, babies and children grow both mentally and physically. Their energy levels are restored, resistance to infection is raised, and they are more likely to be cheerful and reasonable during the day as a result of a good night’s sleep.
When it comes to moving them to their own nursery, which is recommended to be after 6 months, and creating the best sleep environment for them, it is important to understand that it is normal for babies to wake up in the night. Even those who are ‘good sleepers’ will wake up several times during the night - and when they do, they need their surroundings, such as light levels, room temperature and sound levels to be as they were when they drifted off.
It is important that they fall asleep at bedtime, aware that they are in their room, in their cot and are happy in their environment.
The three most important things to consider when you are planning your baby’s sleep space are:
• The Mattress
• The lighting
• The room temperature
The mattress
Your baby’s mattress is so important for a safe night’s sleep. Your baby should be placed to sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface. Ideally, the mattress should be new. If yours was inherited from family or a friend, you need to make sure that it is clean, dry and doesn’t sag or have any cracks or tears.
As it is recommended that your baby be placed on their back for safety, some babies can be prone to Flat Head Syndrome or Plagiocephaly, which is a slight flattening of the soft part of the baby’s head. This can affect up to 47% of new babies! ClevaMama, have created ClevaFoam mattresses, which have been scientifically proven to help prevent Flat Head Syndrome.
There are so many beautiful cots, cot beds, bassinets, and cribs available and you should choose one that feels right for you and fits nicely into your baby’s space. The cot should be clear of any toys, pillows, loose bedding, or bumpers.
Lighting
Having your baby sleep in a very dark room will encourage them to sleep better. This is because darkness encourages the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Having too much light in the room can slow down or stop melatonin production and cause your baby [and you if you’re sleeping the same room] to be more wakeful.
For this reason, a blackout blind is a very useful thing to have in your baby’s nursery.
If you want to have a continuous nightlight, or one to turn on for night feeds and nappy changes, it is best to choose one with a red or orange glow. We know from research this this colour light is “melatonin friendly.”
ClevaMama have a ClevaPure Salt lamp, which as well as being a humidifier and aromatic diffuser, also has an orange/amber glow, which is ideal as a night light.
Temperature
The recommended room temperature for a baby is 16–20°C (61–68°F). For many of us, this feels a bit cool, but research has shown that it is a safe and comfortable temperature for a baby to sleep in.
It is very useful to have a thermometer in your baby’s room.
In summertime it can sometimes be difficult to keep a baby’s nursery as cool as this and for that reason, it can be useful to use your black out blind to prevent the room getting too hot.
ClevaMama’s portable black out blind has a heat reflective lining to prevent overheating.
To see if your baby is too hot or too cold, you should feel their tummy or neck, but not their hands or feet, as they naturally feel quite cool.
It’s lovely to think about colour schemes, co ordinating bedding sets and furniture, but if you can provide your baby with a safe cot in a cool, dark room, then you are doing a great job in creating the right environment to meet their sleep needs.
Tagged in Babies