How to Help a 6-Week-Old Baby Rest During the Day
Naps are important for babies. They help them cope with the stress of growing up and they prevent them from getting too tired. Six-week-old babies require 14 to 15 hours of sleep time every day. Babies who nap well are more likely to sleep well at night. It is possible to get your baby to form the habit of napping so that she gets quality sleep and you get your time for much needed rest or for carrying out other household activities.
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Instructions
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Create a nap schedule for your baby. Put him to sleep two hours after he wakes up in the morning, and get him to nap again in the afternoon two or three hours after he's had his morning nap, suggests author Suzy Giordano. Follow the schedule every day so that your baby forms the nap habit gradually and falls asleep easily. A schedule also leaves you with some breathing space without making nap times a constant battle with your baby.
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Watch for your baby to give off nap-ready signs such as rubbing eyes, getting irritated or staring into space. Put her to sleep immediately, not later, when these signs show up. Shed the belief that the more tired the baby is, the easier she falls asleep. If she becomes overtired, it probably will be harder for her to sleep. But even if she doesn't show these signs, stick closely to your nap schedule.
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Create sleep time rituals. Make his room dim; shade out sunlight by closing window blinds. Play soothing music, rock him or read a story to him as he drifts to sleep. Babies get used to rituals, so they start associating ritual activities with sleep and fall asleep easier. If you're already using certain rituals at night, follow them for nap time, too.
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Don't stop following the routine just because you're not able to maintain your baby's nap schedule on some days. Realize that having a schedule will benefit both you and your baby on most days that it is followed.
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References
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