A couple weeks ago I talked about the importance of a sleep schedule for your infant or toddler. Today I wanted to revisit a few additional tips for getting baby to sleep.
Sleep deprivation is one of the hardest things to deal with as a new mom. You’re tired and drained, making your mood low, which in turn affects how your baby is feeling too. Generally speaking, the more disrupted the parent, the more disrupted the baby, and while it’s really important not to panic if you’re having trouble getting your baby to sleep, it’s a good idea to try and tackle any issues early on.
Tips for Getting Baby to Sleep
Create a “Sleepiness Scale
Professional sleep consultant Kim West advises that it’s best to put your little one down for the night when they’re drowsy, not fully asleep. This is because if they fall asleep on their own, they’re more likely to learn how to soothe themselves. Establish a sleepiness scale (1 being wide awake and 10 being fast asleep) and once your baby gets to around 7 or 8, it’s time to put him or her down for the night.
Change the lighting
If you’re having trouble getting your little munchkin to sleep at the right times, then try taking the baby out in the day when it’s bright and sunny. In the evening, when it’s time for him or her to go down, take them into their bedroom and dim the lights. If the baby wakes in the night, stay in the same room with the lights nice and low. This will help your child to learn that darkness = sleep!
Get the bedding right
Pillows and duvets aren’t appropriate for babies under a year old, so it’s important to stock up on light blankets and lots of cotton mattress sheets. Dr Harvey Karp, author of the popular baby & toddler guides/The Happiest Baby/, also recommends swaddling for babies who are having trouble sleeping, so it can be worth investing in a few good quality swaddling blankets.
Use white noise
Dr Karp also advises using low-pitched white noise for helping get your baby to sleep. While high-pitched noises are good for getting your baby’s attention or keeping them awake, low-pitched noises such as the sound of rain on a roof are great for gently lulling them to sleep.
Don’t add cereal to your baby’s bottle
It’s a common misconception that putting cereal in with your baby’s milk will help them get to sleep easier. It’s really important not to do this, even if you’re at your wit’s end, because as well as messing with their eating routine and potentially leading to overeating, this technique can also be a choking hazard. There’s also no evidence that it actually helps babies sleep better!
Make sure YOU are sleeping enough
Sleep is never a priority for new parents, but it’s so important to stay rested when you have a new baby. Share the load between both parents and when you’re feeling really exhausted, ask for help from family members and friends or look into hiring a nanny or a babysitter. When my husband was gone for 2 months, and I was having trouble getting my 6 month old to go to sleep at night, I hired a young neighborhood girl to come over each evening and put my other two boys to bed. This allowed me to create a better sleep routine for my infant. The better rested you are, the more calm and content your baby will be. And a calm and content baby is one that sleeps through the night!
As you try these tips for getting baby to sleep, your biggest allies will be patience and consistency. Once you establish your routine, stick with it. It may take up to a few weeks for your baby to become accustom to their new sleep schedule and routine. Keep in mind that different babies begin sleeping through the night at different ages. And, remember that the sleepless nights will not last forever.
If you liked this blog post, check out these other helpful baby posts…
The Importance of a Sleep Schedule for Infant or Toddler
Motherhood, Sometimes You Just Need to Know You’re Doing Okay
Dohm White Noise Machine for Babies Review
About Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom
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