Establishing A Sleep Routine & Choosing The Right Baby Monitor

Parenting / 23 October, 2024 / Christina Walter

Creating a consistent sleep routine for your baby is essential, especially as they reach the important six-month milestone and transition to sleeping in their own room. At this stage, you’ll also be thinking about choosing the right baby monitor to keep your little one safe and sound. With so many baby monitors on the market, knowing what to look for can be challenging.

We’ve teamed up with Angelcare and certified baby and toddler sleep consultant Sarah Patel to share the answers to new parents FAQs, essential tips on how to establish a baby sleep routine and advice on selecting the right monitor for your family.

What would you say was the most common sleep-related concern for new parents that come to you for advice?

So, I think when it comes to young babies, everybody talks about having a good routine and how it’s really important. There’s the pressure of needing to know what time naps are going to happen, and how long they are going to sleep for. But sometimes we just need to step back a bit and remember that this is a tiny baby we’re talking about here!

The reality is that babies change all the time: so, routine isn’t necessarily going to happen for quite a while. This may be quite hard to hear, but it can also be really reassuring because you’re not doing anything wrong if your baby napped at nine o’clock today for 4-hours and yesterday they napped at seven for 2-hours. That’s just completely normal. In my opinion, a great start to getting a baby into a routine would be to begin encouraging them to wake up at the same time every day and actually aim for naps when you see your baby’s really tired.

How do you know when baby is ready to go to sleep?

Young babies particularly, might look a bit bored, they may gaze off into the distance and slow down their movement. Hiccupping can also be a sign that young babies are tired too. If you notice these signals, try and get them to have a nap. It’s perhaps more beneficial (especially in the first few months) to pay attention to your baby’s regular rhythms, rather than specifying a rigid routine. Did you know that a baby’s internal body clock, which is going to tell them when it’s day and nighttime, only starts to mature around four months? Additionally, this can sometimes take up to six months.

Plus, don’t forget, your baby is an individual. Whilst a friend’s baby may be into a routine (of sorts) quite early on, that can often be down to their temperament. So really, as a parent, your job is just to go, okay, how are you feeling today? Do you want to have a nap? Let me help you. Baby has showed you that they are tired – so you are there to ‘help’ them fall asleep. Because that’s the other thing, babies need help to fall asleep. They need to learn this skill. Hold them, rock them or simply be nearby – just let them know that you’re going to be there, whilst they fall asleep.

How important is it to choose the right baby monitor?

‘Many parents choose to buy a baby monitor to feel more at ease when they can’t be with their child during sleep. When selecting a monitor, it’s crucial to ensure the device meets safety regulations, comes with clear instructions, and is purchased from a trusted retailer. Look for the relevant medical device conformity mark, such as a CE or UKCA mark (or both), along with the manufacturer’s Notified Body Number, to confirm that the product is compliant with safety standards.’

Keep It Simple

To get the most out of your monitor, keep things simple. Choose a device that doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary features, such as constant vital signs monitoring. A non-wearable option allows your baby to move freely while you maintain peace of mind.

Consider Security

For added security, consider a monitor that doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, reducing the risk of hacking. While internet connectivity can be convenient, it also poses potential risks; if the manufacturer doesn’t safeguard your data effectively, unauthorised access to your monitor could occur. It’s crucial to select a monitor from a trusted company that prioritises data security.

Balance Features and Risks

Remember, the ‘Smarter’ the monitor, the greater the risk of it malfunctioning. However, look for comforting features like two-way talk for voice reassurance, soothing lullabies, gentle night lights, or comforting projectors to enhance your baby’s sleep experience.

Is your baby monitor easy to use?

The Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Movement Monitor with Video & Sound is straightforward and easy to use. Simply place the non-contact wireless sensor pad (with 4 sensitivity levels) under the mattress, and as your baby sleeps, the advanced Sensor Pad technology monitors every movement across the entire cot. Plus, with the 4.3” screen with infrared night vision, you can keep a close eye on things when you are in another room.

Impressive Range and Features

The AC25-1 also has an impressive range of up to 150 meters and comes packed with handy features like a controllable nightlight, four lullaby modes, two-way talk-back, a room temperature display, and a large 4.3” LCD screen with easy push-button operation. So whether it’s day or night, you can relax knowing your baby is sleeping safely and soundly.

Certified for Safety

Designed to help parents create a safe sleep environment for their babies, the AC25-1 has received UK Medical Certification, meaning it’s been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Sarah Patel is a mum of two, a Certified Baby and Toddler Sleep consultant and the founder of Teach To Sleep. She has over 15 years’ experience teaching as a primary school teacher and a senior lecturer in education. She is a gentle holistic sleep consultant, rather than a sleep trainer. She offers personalised support using responsive strategies (rather than crying it out or controlled crying methods).

Sarah has lots of free resources on her Instagram page as well as sleep guides, online sleep courses and a variety of one to one packages which can be found on her website.

Sponsored content in collaboration with Angelcare.

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