6 sleep mistakes I continue to make

Feeding back to sleep

This is the easiest way to settle your crying baby and send them off to sleep, but you'll thank yourself in a few weeks if you stay clear of this. If you feed your little one to sleep they're less likely to learn how to self-soothe.

Rocking

This is my little boy's favourite way to fall asleep and well, it's all my fault. I was told by family members to 'stop rocking' when he was newborn but it kind of became a habit and I now do it when I'm not even holding him. Try and avoid getting your baby to sleep using motion because it's so hard to get them out of it and the bigger they get, the harder it is.

Coming into mummy's bed

I'm guilty of this! A lot! I really love my little boy coming into bed to cuddle me in the night when he can't get back to sleep but the bigger he's getting the harder this is becoming. I end up getting no sleep and being a grumpy mummy all day. Try to repetitively put your baby down once they've fallen to sleep, even if it takes a few tries. Perseverance is key, even though I know that's hard at 2am!

Consistency

This is a major one for most babies. They love a good routine and get a little thrown if things are changed. Try and get a bedtime routine into place and stick to it. This will let your baby know it's bedtime and time to wind down! My little boy loves his routine and the nights are never as good without it.

Keeping your baby awake

This is something that I tried when he was younger and never again. Babies need sleep and lots of it. If they become over tired they find it harder to get to sleep! Don't keep them awake till 10pm and think they'll lie in the next morning, it unfortunately doesn't work like that in the land of babies.

Nap time

Try to figure out a good napping routine through the day and things should be easier when it comes to the night. If they've had decent naps then they are usually happier and more likely to stay asleep.