New skills mean new adventures and a new phase of parenting to navigate!

As a parent, navigating through the ever-changing landscape of your baby's development can feel like a constant game of catch-up. One of the areas where these changes are most evident is in your baby's sleep patterns. When they master new skills, it can sometimes disrupt their sleep routine. However, with patience and the right strategies, you can help ease these transitions and ensure both you and your baby get the rest you need.

Here are our top tips for navigating sleep speed bumps during developmental phases:

• Quality Time and Skill Practice: Spend plenty of quality time engaging with your baby during the day, allowing them to practice their new skills. This can tire them out naturally, making it easier for them to settle at bedtime.
• Adjusting Sleep Needs: Sleep needs change over time and with their new skills it might take your baby a little longer to fall asleep. It can be helpful to review how much sleep they are getting. Do their naps need to be adjusted? Keeping an eye on tired cues.
• Establishing a Calming Bedtime Routine: Ensure you have a calming bedtime routine in place. Consistent rituals such as bathing, reading a story, or gentle music can signal that it's time to wind down.
• Guiding Standing Babies Back to Bed: If your baby is standing up in their cot, you can gently guide them back to a lying position by sitting on the floor beside the cot. You may want to rhythmically pat the mattress or try shushing to encourage relaxation.
• Providing Comfort and Reassurance: Offer your baby extra cuddles and reassurance during periods of transition. Be patient and consistent in your approach, understanding that it may take time for them to adjust to new sleep patterns.
• Ensuring Safety in the Cot: Lower the cot mattress to its lowest level to prevent accidents if your baby is standing up. Safety should always be a top priority.

If your little one is happy and calm, rolling around, sitting or standing up, and it’s not affecting their sleep, great! Just leave them. There’s no need to intervene. But If you need more support, please see our sleep package or schedule a 15-minute chat to see how we can help.