You’ve probably heard of the 5 S’s of sleep…but have you heard of Kate’s version? These 5 tips used in conjunction will help your baby sleep better!

1. Safe sleep environment

• Are you using your safe sleep ABCDS?
  • A – ALONE
    • Your baby should be alone in their crib or bassinet – free of toys, mobiles, loose blankets, loveys, bumpers and burp clothes. Check out the AAP for more info.
  • B – BACK AND BARE IS BEST
    • Babies who cannot independently roll should be placed to sleep on their back only, even if your baby has reflux. This is the safest place for baby and gives the highest chances of preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • C – CRIB OR BASSINET
    • A crib or bassinet that provides a firm, flat, hard surface is safest for baby. Portable cribs are safe too as long as you are not using an inclined insert.
  • D – DIM TO DARK ROOM
    • Dim room by day, dark room by night! No need to be blackout during the day, but dim is best.
      • Check out our favorite travel light blocking drapes.
  • S – SAC OR SWADDLE
    • Sleep sac or swaddle (no loose swaddles, velcro or zip is safest).

2. Swaddle

Even if your baby fights the swaddle, it is crucial for babies under 12-16 weeks to be swaddled in order to sleep. Babies have a startle reflex (the moro reflex) that is present until about 12-16 weeks of age. The swaddle contains this reflex and keeps babies asleep and prevents them from waking themselves from the startle reflex.
Click here to access our favorite sleep sacs and swaddles.

3. Sound machine

• PLAIN WHITE NOISE! The key is LOUD! There haven’t been any conclusive studies relating white noise to hearing loss, but I am always on the lookout. You should be able to hear the white noise machine in the hallway with the door shut.

My favorite sound machines:
The Hatch
The Lectrofan

4. Sucking

• Sucking in a natural way that babies self-soothe. Offering a pacifier or finger to suck on will help baby soothe to sleep.

5. Schedule

• WAKE WINDOWS are key! Over-extending wake windows will lead to poor sleep because baby will be overtired and will not easily settle or sleep well. Remember – wake times include feeds!
• Check out my Successful Sleep E-Guide for in-depth information on the 5 S’s, wake windows, and more, as well as the Sleep Webinar.
• The Moms on Call books (the sleep method that I use) are great in helping you determine a schedule for your baby. They also offer online classes – use code BUMBLEBABY for discount.
  Read my blog post on What is Moms on Call?! to learn more!

**REMINDER: all of these steps should be used together to ensure successful sleep!

Still having trouble with sleep? Book a text or video chat consult with Kate!

Watch Kate’s sleep workshop! Kate is a certified sleep consultant and NICU RN and hosted a crash course on how to ensure successful sleep in your infant 0-4 months. The recorded version is available below to purchase!

Other posts and e-guides you may like:

• Kate’s Favorite Sleep Items 0-6 months
• Safe Use of Containers
• 10 safe swaddles and sleep sacks 
• Newborn acne – when should I worry?
• Sleep E-Guide
• Kate’s Super Swaddle Method + How to Drop the Swaddle E-Guide

**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider. Bumblebaby makes a small commission on some of the items listed above