'My non-negotiables as a first-time mum with a baby who refused to sleep.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Love to Dream

Sleep has become one of my hottest topics of the year. Any new parent can tell you that possibly the most asked question they get is, "How is the baby sleeping?" and for good reason!

I have become obsessed with talking about sleep. Whether it's swapping midnight war stories with my mothers' group or texting my mum friends for nuggets of wisdom, my life basically revolves around naptime and bedtime and how much sleep he (and in turn, I) am getting.

Since babies don't come with a manual (or so I've learnt the hard way), figuring out how to get them to fall and stay asleep has become an artform for me.

Thankfully, with my little boy Rex turning six months old, I feel like I've finally got this down pat thanks to a few non-negotiables.

If you're anything like I was and feel like the sleep saga is weighing you down and you have started to dread the night, bookmark this page and thank me later.

Non-negotiable one: a sound machine, of course.

Imagine you're putting a baby to sleep, delicately rocking and soothing with shushes, slowly getting your baby to drift off. But your mouth is so dry from shushing, and you kind of have a headache now, so you take a quick sip of water. Of course, within that quick 10-second interval, your previously sleepy baby has woken up and it's back to square one.

This was me — this was my life most nights and nap times for a LONG time.

Thankfully, the wonderful and popular lady start-up Love to Dream has a new sleep hack that I am obsessed with. They've just released a Sleep Machine, perfect for helping forge bedtime and naptime habits and for developing sleep signals for your baby.

Not only does it look cute (hello, heart-shaped design), but it offers unique and easy-to-use functionality for those bleary eyed night-time feeds, including auto-start cry detection, so it automatically plays your preferred soothing sound if your baby starts to cry.

It also has nine rhythmic sleep sounds, including shushing (cue sigh of relief) and a personalised record function so you can soothe your baby with your own voice from afar.

The Sleep Machine also features Bluetooth connectivity, meaning that as your baby grows, you can play their favourite bedtime story or songs through this brilliant little piece of technology — definitely something I'll be using non-stop for Rex.

Honestly, if someone handed me one of these at my baby shower, I'd be one very happy mumma.

Non-negotiable two: don't complicate swaddling.

It's no secret that babies love to feel cosy and secure when sleeping, and swaddling is the known answer to this.

Sadly, the skilled artform of swaddling did not come to me easily. Unlike my partner, who was able to wrap Rex up almost militantly into the most perfect little burrito, my style was not as long-lasting. I'm talking arms and legs coming free within seconds.

Image: Supplied.

The startle reflex was my mortal enemy when trying to get Rex to sleep, and honestly, as a new mum — who has the time to refine the swaddling skill?

Personally, I found that the Love to Dream Swaddle Up worked a treat for me. Rex was able to happily sleep all tucked in with his arms up near his face, and I didn't have to worry about him Houdini-ing his way out of it.

Do yourself a favour and add to cart immediately.

Non-negotiable three: stick to the four B's.

Every baby and their sleep routine is super personal, but I simply cannot stray away from the four B's — bath, baby massage, book and bed.

Image: Supplied.

Don't even talk to me if you try to skip a step; you just end up with a screaming baby or lose an hour because you end up starting again.

Going through this routine consistently every evening signals to Rex that it's time to wind down and bedtime is near. I swear that I see him start rubbing his eyes as soon as I start massaging his delicious little croissant legs with moisturiser.

Sure, there are times when we're out and about in the evenings and don't get to every step and I can definitely tell by his sleep quality.

When we go through the sleep routine, Rex goes down easily and tends to stay down for most of the night.

Non-negotiable four: up your protein.

Ok, hear me out on this one — this might be an old wives' tale, but it hasn't failed me yet.

Breastfeeders, this is one for you. It's all about the protein.

When I was breastfeeding, every day at 4pm, I would make sure I had a big intake — a protein shake, an egg, a steak —whatever my heart desired. And I would more often than not find Rex would sleep more soundly that evening.

Ever since this tip was passed on to me, I've sworn by it — whether it's backed by science or a placebo, I'll let you try and decide.

Shop Love to Dream's new Sleep Machine and Swaddle Up range online.

Love to Dream recommends always following safer sleep guidelines.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Love To Dream™ has helped millions of families worldwide achieve better, longer, and dreamier sleep. Shop the new Sleep Machine and award-winning Swaddle Up™ at LoveToDream.com.