After the early months of nighttime feedings, your baby will probably be ready to sleep through the night at around six months. Setting up a regular sleep routine will help calm her down after a busy day of play and get her ready for a good night’s sleep. Here are several ideas to incorporate into your new baby’s sleep schedule so you can both get some rest.

Baby sleep solution: Be consistent.
Babies do best with routine, and bedtime is no exception. Keeping the same sleep schedule each night will help comfort your child, and she’ll come to know just what to expect. While it’s not always possible to have the exact routine every time (you may be away one night or on vacation), aim to keep your new baby’s bedtime routine and timing about the same.

Baby sleep solution: Come clean. 
A warm bath makes everyone feel a little drowsy, so it’s just the ticket for your new baby, too. Babies don’t need to be scrubbed head to toe every night, but a quick dip in warm water can be very relaxing. Washing her face, neck, and hands with a warm cloth is fine if you’re short on time.

Baby sleep solution: Spin a tale.
Reading, of course, is wonderful for your baby’s language development, and when it’s done in the evening, it’s a lovely way to bond and feel cozy together. Introducing a short board book or two at the end of your baby’s sleep routine will signal to your little one that the day is coming to a close.

Baby sleep solution: Croon a tune.
Yup, even if you can’t sing on key, just a few bars of the same song will help soothe your new baby. You could also rock your baby or sway gently as you sing, but don’t hold her until she’s deep in sleep, since this can make it hard for her to learn how to drift off to sleep on her own. Putting her to bed when she’s drowsy but still awake is a better bet.

Baby sleep solution: Don’t rush in.
If your child wakes in the night, give her a few minutes to go back to sleep on her own. Most infants can soothe themselves to sleep at this age, so allow your new baby a bit of time to try. If she seems unable to settle down, make it quick. Try not to turn on bright lights, talk loudly or play with her. The idea is to keep things calm so she can go right back to sleep.

Setting up a sleep schedule that works can take some time, but most babies thrive once a routine has been established. Be sure to let the other people who care for your baby know what works for your new baby (one story followed by two songs, for example) too. Stick with it, and you’ll both be having better nights.

If you’re like most new moms, you want your baby’s first birthday celebration to be magical. Sure, your new baby won’t remember the day, but luckily the pictures and videos you take will capture the moment forever. To make the party unique, incorporate birthday traditions from around the world into your festivities. These ideas will be fun for everyone involved -- including the birthday boy or girl.

Start the day with gifts. 
In some countries, parents place presents around their child’s bed at night. The birthday child gets to open the gifts as soon as he wakes up. Opening presents in the morning (even if you’re the one unwrapping the presents for your new baby) is a fun way to kick off the birthday celebrations.

Fly a flag.
In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, parents hang the country’s flag outside their homes to recognize the birthday child’s big day. You can find birthday flags at most craft stores. Let it wave outside your home along with a few balloons to direct neighbors and friends to the birthday festivities.

Pop a piñata.
This Mexican-inspired birthday activity is a favorite of children everywhere. For this activity, blindfolded kids use a stick to whack away at a papier-mâché object until it bursts open, spilling candy and toys for kids to collect. If your child is too young for the game (and the candy), decorate the party with piñatas instead. They’ll add a fun pop of color to the celebration.

Slurp up some noodles.
In Asian communities, extra-long noodles are served at the birthday meal to symbolize the family’s hopes for the child’s long life. Noodles are the perfect finger food for your new baby, so serve some up in addition to your usual fare.

Make your child king or queen for the day.
The birthday child in Holland is honored with a specially decorated chair at the dining room table. Family members adorn the chair with flowers, streamers, and balloons, turning it into a special birthday throne. Do the same with a high chair on your baby’s first birthday -- it will look wonderful in photographs!

You can start your own family birthday traditions by incorporating some of these global baby games and activities. However you choose to celebrate, your baby’s first birthday will bring many smiles to you and your child and will be fun to look back on for years to come.

Photo by Chris Benson on Unsplash

Vacation time isn’t just fun, it’s also great for your new baby’s development as it introduces her to novel sights and sounds. Unfortunately, the new surroundings have their disadvantages, too. In fact, the new sleeping arrangements and hotel bed can disrupt even the best sleeper’s peaceful bedtime routine. Making the hotel room a comfortable place for your child to sleep can help ensure sweet slumber. Use these on-the-go baby sleep solutions to help set up a cozy bedtime environment for your newbie traveler.

Practice at home.
Do you plan to use a portable crib on your trip? If so, think about breaking it out at home and letting your new baby sleep in it for a few nights. She’ll have a chance to experience how it feels, helping to prep her for when you use it at the hotel.

Pack some friends.
It goes without saying: Don’t forget your little one’s beloved soft bear, her soft, frayed blanket, and her favorite pacifier. Most children are very attached to their companions and are unable to sleep well without them, so definitely include her favorite one (or two) on your packing list.

Think about space.
If your new baby or older child sleeps in her own room at home, suddenly having you right next to her at night may be disruptive. Check around and compare prices for connecting rooms and suites. If the trade-off is a good night’s sleep on vacation, it may be worth the money to book the extra space.

Keep a routine.
If a bath, two stories, three songs, and butterfly kisses are what it takes to send your new baby off to dreamland at home, then use the same send-off while traveling. Your child will find comfort in the familiar routine, and because the activities signal that it’s time to go to sleep, they will help her settle down while on vacation.

Traveling with kids is always an adventure, but making sure your new baby gets the sleep she needs at the hotel is the first step toward a restful and fun-filled vacation for all. 

Pregnancy is an amazing time for a new mom, but help is always welcome. While you may be the one carrying the new baby, it turns out there’s plenty your partner can do to support you during your pregnancy and labor. If you’re preparing for a baby, be sure to pass these tips along to dad.

Class time
When preparing for baby, it’s important for new dads to complete a birthing class with their partner, usually during the third trimester. There, you’ll both learn the breathing techniques new moms use during labor. Your partner will also learn about the changes women experience during pregnancy, as well as what to expect once your new baby is born.  

Packing tips
During those last few weeks when you’re preparing for your baby, your partner should have a hospital bag at the ready, too. Here’s what every new dad should pack:

• Change of clothes and toiletries
  
  
• Watch with a second hand for timing contractions
  
  
• Camera and charger, plus a charger for your phone
  
  
• Massage oils to help ease your back pain
  
  
• An iPod or CDs, to play soothing music in the delivery room
  
  
• Snacks, plus money for the vending machine
  
  
• Health insurance card if necessary, pre-registration forms from the hospital, plus a file folder for important paperwork

The real deal
It’s helpful if your partner can help you distinguish between the early stages of real labor and confusing false alarms called Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are muscle contractions that occur irregularly and are felt only in the abdomen. Give him this tip: Braxton-Hicks contractions often slow down or disappear when you switch positions or walk around, while true contractions are felt in the abdomen and lower back, last 30 seconds or longer, and continue to strengthen as time progresses.

Support system
Being a great new dad starts in the delivery room, as new moms need support and encouragement. Your partner can help you get through your contractions using the breathing techniques and pain relief tips you both learned during childbirth class, such as walking around, massaging your lower back, or placing pillows under your back.

Remember that it’s not just your partner who can help you through your pregnancy. Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of other family members or friends. The happier you are throughout your pregnancy and labor, the better it will be for your new baby.

Once your new baby settles down in her crib for the night, you can switch on the monitor and (finally) get yourself into bed. But when the nighttime sobbing begins, you’re up again, sleepily trying to understand what your baby’s crying means. Don’t worry if you’re feeling confused, as deciphering your infant’s whimpers -- and shrieks! -- takes a little practice. Read on for tips on what her cries mean and advice on what to do when you hear the sobbing start.

Baby crying tip number 1: Don’t panic.
Your baby’s crying is very normal and expected -- newborns can howl up to four hours a day! Try not to take tears personally; crying is the only way your baby can communicate with you. However, if your infant is under 4 months old, her nighttime crying is probably a call to be fed.

Baby crying tip number 2: Know that noise is normal.
Because babies have a longer active (or REM) sleep state, they won’t enter many periods of deep slumber. Your new baby might make all kinds of noises during this phase (squeaks, a scream, and some crying) and might even wake herself up. When you hear her squawk over the monitor, wait a few minutes before going to her, since she may fall back to sleep on her own.

Baby crying tip number 3: Pay attention to the cries. After some experience, a new mom can often distinguish a hunger cry from one that means “I’m mad” or “I’m uncomfortable.” A hunger cry is often short and low in pitch, rising and falling over time. A cry of discomfort can be loud and screechy (she might have a full diaper, gas pains, or her clothing could be itchy or pinching in some way).

Baby crying tip number 4: Don’t rush in.
Sudden nighttime crying is often just a one-off shriek or two, unrelated to hunger or a wet diaper. Again, wait a couple of minutes before going into her room. Your baby’s crying may just be a way of letting off steam. The cries may also be for comfort, as a way of settling down for the night. Unless she’s weeping hard, hold off on getting her.

No mother wants to hear her baby crying, but discovering what nighttime tears really mean can be of great comfort to a new mom. Soon your new baby will sleep through the night without making a peep, and you may be tempted to rush in to see why she’s so quiet.

Photo by Zach Kadolph on Unsplash