When it comes to baby’s sleep, it’s not just the duration that counts; the quality of sleep is essential, too. Newborns need about 14-17 hours of good sleep every day, while infants (4-11 months) need 12-15 hours of peaceful downtime. They need to sleep for most of the day as their brains release the hormones and substances required to facilitate growth and development. If your baby doesn’t get the right amount and quality of sleep, expect irritability.
So to help your child achieve peaceful and quality sleep, the nursery must be a snooze sanctuary. Here’s how you can make your baby’s room more zen and calm.
Choose Pastel Colors
Bold and bright colors, like honey yellow and cobalt blue, are jarring and keep the mind awake. The same goes for dark colors. Navy and maroon darken the room but make it feel stiffer and smaller.
In contrast, pastel colors are calming and easier on the eyes. For instance, soft greens and periwinkle blues are more likely to lull the baby to sleep compared to hot hues. Moreover, they are incredibly easy to pair—because they’re all tints, they rarely clash with one another.
Let Natural Light In
The best kind of light is natural light. Apart from it gives your baby a healthy dose of Vitamin D, it also helps your baby establish a regular sleeping cycle. He or she will take cues from the gradual fading of light inside the room. For a bit more control over natural light, you can install interior solar shades, which are handy during the summer months.
For nighttime lighting, choose soft lights, as it will be hard for babies to fall asleep in harsh lights. Ideally, place a dimmer in the room, so you can slowly brighten or darken the lighting as you see fit. Moreover, this will make it easier for the baby to know when it’s time for bed. Designate different focused lighting fixtures for specific tasks, like changing or reading a bedtime story.
Install Earth-Toned Elements
It is tempting to place brightly colored furnishings in the nursery because babies are naturally fond of all things bright and bold. However, these can also be a distraction during nap time and bedtime.
So, go for earth-toned furnishings in the baby room. Choose adult chairs, nightstands, and bookshelves made of fair-colored birch. Install a plush, neutral-colored rocking chair, and wool rugs. Keep the linen on the furnishings in a soft color palette. Moreover, do not place tall furnishings next to the crib, as they can feel like a threat to the baby.
Maintain the Perfect Temperature
The temperature makes or breaks a baby’s sleep. A room that’s either too warm or too cold will make the little one irritable—the precursor for a sleepless night. Install a temperature sensor, which will give you the peace of mind that the room is warm or cold enough to get the baby to sleep. Additionally, you can also place a quiet air humidifier to keep the indoor air fresh and clean. The absence of dusty, sneeze-inducing particles will guarantee a good night’s sleep.
Your baby needs your help in establishing a stable and restful sleeping routine. You can sing lullabies all night, but the real key to a deep snooze is creating an environment that can make your little one sleep.