Sleep…..fuel for our body, and our mode of function for the day. Sleep can impact how we start our day and how we parent our kids, and this is the same for our babies.

As parents, we all want our baby to have a peaceful nights sleep and hopefully sleep through the night, but sometimes this can feel somewhat impossible.

In the first weeks with your new baby, when you are sleep deprived and struggling with learning how to look after your newborn baby, this can seem such a challenge.

I wanted to share with you, as a mum of three, some top tips of things that I did to help get my babies to sleep. that I hope will be helpful for you:

1. Have a set time to start your routine and a time that you would like for your baby to go to bed.

2. Have a set time for a warm bath for your baby. It’s a great way to start and for your baby to relax.

3. Massage your newborn with a baby safe oil or cream, and massage using gentle, soft strokes. Softly touching their face, ears and toes can be very soothing for a baby.

4. Bedtime Story. Reading a book with your baby can be a very special time for you both. To this day it is still part of our routine.

5. Play soft music in the background. You will be able to find so many options on you tube..

6. Singing a lullaby to your baby. I'm not a singer and far from it but when your baby hears your soft voice before they fall asleep can have quite a calming effect. I had some favourite songs that I loved as a child, & I regularly sang them to my babies.

7. Diffuser - lavender oil or a soothing blend that is calming but not overpowering.

8. Cuddles. You and your baby can never have too many of these. It’s such a special bonding time for you both.

9. Swaddling. Being comfortably swaddled makes a baby feel secure and safe while sleeping. As the months went on I found the baby sleep bag was a great option too, as they start moving around and move away from the swaddling phase.

I found that having an established a routine from the beginning when my baby was a newborn and then being consistent, as much as possible was key. Remember every baby is different and every parent is different.

I'm a big believer on doing what works for you and for your baby. What may work for one family or baby may differ from the other.