You’re tired!
We know you are desperate for longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep. Don’t worry, it’s on the horizon! Make a few adjustments to your twins’ sleep environment and you’ll be on your way to catching some zzz’s!
Jumping into sleep training without the right mindset, solid routines or an appropriate sleeping environment will only lead to a more frustrating, less successful SLEEP TRAINING experience.
So hang on tight just a little bit longer, and take a moment to think about the current sleep environment in which your babies sleep. Are you making any of these mistakes?
CONSIDER MAKING THESE 3 CHANGES TO THE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR NURSERY:
Photo Credit: David Lynn Photography
1. TEMPERATURE–
Consider what makes you comfortable when you sleep. It is probably not sweats, a sweatshirt, socks and several layers of blankets.
What happens when you get too hot at night? You wake up….RIGHT?!
Your babies too will wake up if their sleep environment isn’t at a good temperature or they are dressed too warmly.
The temperatures in your babies’ nursery should ideally range from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. With the right temperature in their room, they should only need one layer of pajamas with a sleep sack or swaddle.
2. WHITE NOISE–
Now… imagine how annoying it is to be woken up by loud noises outside your house. You might have a difficult time falling back asleep.
…or maybe you feel less rested in the morning.
White noise machines are great tools to help keep your babies asleep and drown out any loud household noises that could potentially wake them up. A few of our favorites are the Ecotones Sound, the Marpac Natural White Noise Machine, or the myBaby SoundsSpa (affiliate links).
While the use of white noise machines is a personal preference, know that their use isn’t creating a negative sleep association. The noise can be a soothing constant that you aren’t having to recreate for your babies.
3. TRANSITIONAL OBJECT–
Lastly, think about what your babies need to help them get back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night.
Is it a binkie, a bottle or maybe you to rock them back to sleep?
If the goal of sleep training is more restful sleep for you AND your babies, your babies will need ways to comfort themselves in your absence. This is why you may want to consider a transitional object, which could include a small stuffed animal, small blanket, a soft book or a Taggie (affiliate links) toy to name a few of our favorites!
If you are worried about the safety of your chosen transitional object, never hesitate to check with your pediatrician!
Now, don’t laugh when we tell you this, but…
Before introducing a transitional object, wear it around under your shirt so that it absorbs your unique mommy smell. Also, while you are feeding or cuddling your babies, snuggling the object between you and your babies will eventually help incorporate it into the bedtime routine.
A word to the wise…buy a few of the items you choose to be your transitional objects. Having an extra on hand in case of damage or loss will be your saving grace!
THAT’S IT! Your babies and their nursery are one step closer to a better night’s sleep.
