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Nothing is more frustrating then having a baby that won't sleep. After years of infant care experience working as a nanny I have seen every trick in the book. Follow these tips on getting a baby to sleep and you will get your own rest in no time!
Don't always produce the same sleep conditions for your baby. Otherwise the baby associates sleep with parental comfort. When a baby wakes up in the middle of a sleep cycle, they then expect assistance to recreate the conditions needed to go back to sleep- meaning you have to get up and rock them, sing to them, etc. Also it is harder for a substitute care giver to put them to sleep if you always put them down the same way because others cannot recreate the same pre-sleep conditions you as the parents can. Instead, let your baby sooth themselves to sleep.
Getting your baby to fall asleep on their own requires tough love. Put your baby down to bed still awake and if they cry, let them. If they sit up or stand up don't return to reposition them lying down. While this may be hard to do to as a parent, it is overall best for the baby and for you. Eventually your baby will tire themselves out and go to sleep.
Having a video monitor on your baby helps as you can watch to see what your baby does once left alone in the crib. You can make sure your baby is safe and not in an uncomfortable position with their legs stuck in the crib bars, for example.
Follow a consistent nap routine. It has been proven that babies who have a consistent nap routine in the day sleep for longer stretches at night. Obviously nap schedules can vary, so use whatever works best with your schedule and your baby's age and needs. The point is that you should have set times in the day that your baby goes down to sleep.
Alternatives - Let's face it, some times babies can decide to be stinkers about going to sleep. If something threw off their normal schedule, they're sick or just plain cranky - here are some tricks that work like a charm.
- Movement - Place your baby in the stroller or car seat and take a cruise. Listen to your favorite CD or audio book as your baby drifts to sleep to the movement of the car or stroller.
- Feeding- Sometimes a baby can just be plain hungry in the night and need more food. Make sure to always feed them before going down to sleep. If they wake up hungry, snuggling with your baby in bed while breastfeeding feeding or feeding a bottle can soothe your baby back to sleep quickly.
- Relieve discomforts -
- Clear their nose, as infant's nasal passages can often get blocked with mucus.
- Relieve teething pain, fevers and discomfort from a cold with a baby-size dose of acetaminophen just before bed. This is normally 8mL, but always check with a doctor before giving drugs to a baby.
- Check to see if their diaper is dirty. A soiled diaper often wakes a baby up due to the discomfort of sitting in their own feces. Put diaper rash cream on their bum to relieve any irritation.
- Remove irritating materials from the crib and sleepwear. Sometimes baby's skin can be sensitive to polyester. Try using only 100% cotton fabric clothing and sheets.
- Make sure the bedroom is at a comfortable temperature for the baby, about 70 degrees F is normally the best choice.
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