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Getting a baby to sleep can seem like a very elusive task and can really test your patience. Our guide, How to Put a Baby to Sleep, will help you lull your little one toward sweet dreams.
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Step 1: Determine a Schedule
- Even if your baby is sleeping only an hour here or there, figure out his pattern of sleeping to maintain a routine.
Understanding the Pattern
- Even when you think you know about when your baby goes to sleep at night and naps during the day, close monitoring can help you help your baby rest easy.
- Try using a sleep chart like this one from the Babycenter, to get a real handle on when your baby sleeps.
- This close monitoring will help establish bedtimes and stop bad sleep habits in the early stages.
- Once you've determined when your child is sleeping, it's important to discern how she acts while awake. Babies who are overtired will often be clingy, eruptive or not interested in playing by themselves.
- If your baby is exhibiting these behaviors while awake, it's probably time to reassess how much sleep he's getting, and if bedtime is at the right time.
- You will likely figure out fairly soon whether your baby is an early bird or a night owl. It's ok to adjust the sleep schedule to his natural preferences, and will probably make it easier to establish a routine.
- A few adjustments can make a big difference when it comes to getting enough rest.
Step 2: Establish Good Daytime Habits
- What you do during the day can predict a good night's sleep, for both you and baby.
- During the day, it's important to encourage your baby by talking, playing and singing, as well as exposing your baby to plenty of natural light and normal daytime activities. This contrast will lead to better sleep at night.
- Watch your napping baby carefully. Sleeping for too long during the day may make it harder for your baby to sleep at night.
- Putting your baby down for naps in a well-lit area may help him sleep for shorter periods while napping.
- If your baby has a tendency to want to sleep after every feeding, try keeping her active after feedings by moving around and creating visual stimuli to keep your baby interested.
- For feedings in the middle of the night that disrupt your baby's sleep, try to minimize noise and light by feeding, changing and burping your baby in the dark and being very quiet.
- Over time, you can increase daytime feedings to encourage better sleep at night.
Step 3: Just Before Bedtime
- Establishing a bedtime routine is one of the most oft-expressed pieces of advice when it comes to babies and sleeping.
- You can start establishing a regular sleep routine when your baby is about three months old.
- Creating a bedtime routine that is "familiar and relaxing" will clue your child into the fact that it's again time for bed.
- Whether you bathe your child before bed, read a story or rock her for a little bit, a consistent pattern will teach your child to associate these steps with going to sleep.
- If you play music before bedtime, choose the same songs each night to encourage familiarity with sleep.
- Do not have your babies watch television before bed.
- Babies between the ages of two and three months often enjoy being rocked to sleep just before you lay them down in their cribs.
- But babies a little bit older—between three and four months—should be put in their cribs while still awake, so they can "teach themselves" how to fall asleep without your constant assistance.
- Remember that if holding your baby for a period of time before sleep becomes part of the routine, your baby will need you in the middle of the night when he wakes up and isn't sure how to fall back to sleep. So wean him off too much holding and rocking lest you be required to do it at 3 a.m. every night!
- You should put your baby to sleep while she is "drowsy" but still awake.
- It's ok if he cries for a little bit or is generally fussy when you first put him down.
- If she doesn't stop crying after an extended period, soothe her by talking softly or rubbing her back.
- You may also try giving your baby a pacifier before sleep, which not only soothes your child but may prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Step 4: Be Realistic
- Of course you want your baby to sleep through the night, every night, but don't forget to have realistic expectations.
- Be careful not to place your sleeping infant in an area that is void of any sounds. The baby may become used to the total quiet and awaken when any noise occurs. Some new parents turn on a music box, a radio or a television set, in the vicinity of the sleeping baby. Experiment to see what works best for your child.
- Depending on your baby's feeding schedule and size, especially with a newborn, you may only get a couple of hours a sleep at a stretch and not the "four hour pattern" you've heard and dreamed about.
- It may take time to determine your baby's sleeping habits, and it's important to be patient as this develops.
- To relieve stress, try taking walks with your baby during the day. And be sure to sleep while your baby sleeps! That precious two hours is probably better spent resting than catching up on emails.
- It's important to remember that how long or how well your baby sleeps is not a reflection of your parenting skills.
- And remember that visitors, a new home, teething and developmental changes like crawling for the first time will all affect your baby's sleep pattern.
- If your baby's sleep habits are still of concern to you, it's time to contact your family doctor, who will be able to determine if there is a reason your baby isn't sleeping or might simply be able to reassure you that you're on the right track.
Conclusion
- New parents supposedly lost about 200 hours of sleep in their baby's first year. It's not surprising, therefore, that getting your baby to sleep can be frustrating for the whole family. But with patience and a consistent routine, in time your baby will sleep for longer periods at a time, and you will be able to establish a sleep schedule that works for you and your baby. It's crucial to keep in mind that there is no right way to put your baby to sleep. It may take a while to determine the tricks that work in your household, but once you do, everyone can rest easily. For at least a few hours.
