Intervening when your baby is awake but content 🫢
We can often make the mistake of believing that when our baby is awake or stirs - either at the beginning of their sleep or between sleep cycles - we need to intervene and help them settle 😴. However, if they’re calm and content, intervention isn’t always necessary🤞🏻. Allowing them this time can help them develop their self-soothing skills and promote more independent sleep over time 🙌🏻
Intervening can unintentionally hinder the opportunity and space your baby needs to naturally transition into the next sleep cycle 😫🆘. If they are simply awake and happy, they may even sit-up briefly in their cot for a few minutes before lying back down and transitioning into another sleep cycle 🙌🏻. This behaviour is perfectly normal, and unless they are crying or calling out for you, there is no need to step in 🥰. Even if they remain awake and content without falling back to sleep, not intervening is still beneficial, as keeping them in the dark until the end of their scheduled nap or morning time can help prevent reinforcing early wakes or early rising 😍
So, what should you do instead? 🤔 Simply observe and be patient; you might be surprised by what they do! ☺️ This approach gives them the space they need to learn how to link their sleep cycles, a skill that typically develops around 5 to 6 months of age, once they’ve learned how to self-settle 🙌🏻
With that said, if your baby is still catnapping, resisting sleep, or waking frequently overnight, book a consultation or download our Sleep Essentials Guide at www.settletosleep.com.au so we can support you in restoring sleep for you and your family 🩷🌸💫