Useful Tips to Put Your Baby to Sleep

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby? Friends and family may think not, but as a new parent you’re likely thinking “how much time do I have before the next feeding?” A successful sleep routine is not just a fluke, and it doesn’t just happen overnight either. Babies sleep anywhere between 14 and 18 hours a day but are awake every few hours. While you probably can’t expect to get a full 8 hours any time soon, there are many tricks to help your little one go down more easily. 

Routine

Creating a routine is one of the best and most important ways to help your baby get better sleep. Around eight weeks, babies get a boost in melatonin which makes them more drowsy around dusk. Develop rituals to help them get to sleep like giving them a warm bath, and reading bedtime stories in a calming voice. Doing these in the same order every night will teach them what to expect so that they’ll always know when it’s bedtime as they hit different developmental markers. 

Environment

Creating a calm, soothing environment will help as much as creating a routine. Minimize bright and flashing lights and sounds, such as the television. Be mindful of how much, how fast, and how loud you speak to them; limiting talking will help them learn that it’s time to go to sleep. White noise machines and black-out curtains help to block outside stimuli and mimic the environment of the womb, and many parents swear by them. Clearing away the clutter and keeping toys out of sight will minimize distractions and make it clear that bedtime is approaching. 

Growth and Development

Babies’ sleep patterns change as they grow and develop. While your infant may be waking up every two to three hours now, in a week or two they may be out for four or five-hour chunks. Understanding how sleep is a part of each developmental milestone can be really helpful in managing routines and encouraging baby sleep. There are some excellent resources that could walk you through what’s happening at each stage so that you can make little adjustments to your routine and environment.  

Soothing

Many parents try to avoid sleep training, but it’s necessary for many to help their little ones fall asleep. While there are many methods to try, one of the best tips is to avoid becoming reliant (both you and baby) on soothing methods in the first months. Newborns need a bit of a rocking or cuddling before bed, but they grow quickly and can become reliant on these things, which means if they’re waking up between feedings you will be too! Instead, encourage them to self-soothe by giving them time to calm themselves down. 

Moving to the Crib

It can be a bit of a game figuring out if the baby is well enough asleep to put them into the crib, but there are some clues that can tell you they’ve fallen into a deep sleep. Look for eye flutters under their lids, relaxed muscles, and deep breathing. Try warming their bed with a hot water bottle (remember to take it out first!) but make sure it isn’t too hot. Maintain a room temperature of around 69° to 73°F (20°-22°C)  and as you place them in, keep a hand on their back and belly so that the change is not sudden. 

Take a Break

It is exhausting having a new baby and being a parent is the hardest job in the world, especially if you are mostly doing it on your own. It’s okay to ask for support from family and friends. Take people up on their offers of help. Try to prioritize finding time to take care of yourself now and again. Take turns with your partner. Don’t be hard on yourself if the laundry doesn’t get done one day, or you forget to change into a clean shirt for a trip to the grocery store. Shrug it off if your best intentions to use reusable diapers fail. Be kind to yourself, and your baby will ultimately benefit from this. 

The point is not to be perfect. Parenting is hard and stressful, and every child is different. At the end of the day – pun intended – some of these tips may work for you and others may not. Maybe your little one needs rocking to be lulled to sleep right now, or maybe they fall asleep while feeding. It’s okay. Keep doing your best, and they’ll be all right!