Pampers completed its first ever South African ‘Golden Sleep' survey in February. The survey results, aimed at improving Pampers’ understanding of how moms prepare their babies for bedtime, were released today. Of the more than 10 000 South African moms who participated in the nationwide survey, nearly 35% said that their sleep, and that of their babies, was disrupted at least two to three times during the night, highlighting the need to help moms find ways to get their babies to sleep better, with fewer disturbances.
Finding the best ways to help a baby to sleep well during the night is a major focus for Pampers. While babies do tend to sleep longer the older they get, most moms surveyed credit a good bedtime routine as a major factor in facilitating a good night’s sleep for their baby. More than half the moms (60%) also agreed that babies wearing a soft, dry nappy slept better. As to what makes up a good bedtime routine, moms varied in their approaches: a bath and/or a feed prior to bed are trusted techniques for 26% of moms surveyed, while changing the nappy plays an important part of the bedtime routine for 16% of moms. Dimming lights; gently rocking baby; reading a bedtime story; or singing a lullaby are also incorporated into many bedtime routines around South Africa.
One of South Africa’s leading pregnancy and parenting advisors, Sister Lilian, also encourages wind-down techniques and soothing rhythms at the end of the day to help establish sound sleep practices. However, she adds: “It must be very clearly understood, from the outset, that there are no ‘magic’ ways to make a baby sleep when, and as much as, parents would like. Adopting a sensible and sensitive approach to parenting during the day, and implementing very easy strategies in the evening can help ensure that sleep hiccups don’t get the better of you.”
Sister Lilian also advises against disturbing a sleeping baby: “Do not disturb baby’s core sleep. Most babies have at least one longer sleep at night, often pre-midnight. Well-meaning parents might decide to wake baby before they go to bed to give one last feed or change the nappy, thinking that baby will then go for longer during the night, but this almost always backfires and sleep is even more disturbed.”
Johannesburg paediatrician, Dr Ahmed adds that parents should not deprive their babies of sleep during the day in the hope that they will sleep better at night. “Don’t withhold sleep in the belief that your baby will sleep better at night,” warns Dr Ahmed. “As sleep deprivation increases night time arousals. It is important to adopt a consistent bedtime routine. A good night’s sleep helps children to function at their best, improves behaviour and can help heal some illnesses. Essentially, babies who sleep better are more content.”
According to the Pampers survey, nearly 25% of moms attributed the sleep disruption to a dirty or wet nappy. To this end, Pampers has launched its new softest ever Active Baby nappy; it is soft and absorbs up to 12 hours of wetness to keep babies dry and comfortable through the night for Golden Sleep.
A night of Golden Sleep is, for these moms, priceless, and more importantly, within their reach. To help moms get their babies to sleep better, Pampers has also compiled Tips for Moms from Moms, collated from the personal sleep tips offered by the moms surveyed. Tips range from moms tying babies on their back in the traditional African way to gentle massaging. Other moms believe singing is the key to getting their baby to sleep, with anything from Celine Dion’s
My Love to Beyonce’s (or the Chipmunk’s version)
All The Single Ladies on the play list, while Barney also rates highly as a good song to sing. To see these sleep tips, or to get other tips, support and advice on how to care for your baby, visit
www.pampers.co.za from 15 May.