When it comes to laying your baby down to rest, it can be a challenging process. But when you’re able to help your baby sleep soundly, your heart may swell knowing they’re going to be happily well-rested. Proper sleep for your baby is crucial for their growing bodies and brains, making your little one’s sleep of utmost importance.
Not only that, but the stress of ensuring your baby gets the proper they sleep can take a major toll on your health as a whole. In order to make sure you and your baby are happy and healthy, we’ve compiled 10 baby-sleep tips that will give your baby the sleep of their dreams!
Develop a Bedtime Routine
In a study conducted in 2009, researchers found that establishing a consistent bedtime routine improved multiple aspects of infant and toddler sleep. From as early as 6 to 8 weeks old, you can begin to develop your baby’s nighttime routine by implementing simple but effective bedtime activities. Here are a few ideas to help kick start your baby’s nightly routine:
- Try bathing your little one right before bedtime. Many babies find this calming, allowing them to relax and make it easier for them to fall asleep with ease.
- Whether your baby enjoys playing with their favorite toy or coloring their favorite pictures, saving your baby’s favorite activity for last is always a good idea. Not only that, but make sure the activity is done in their bedroom so they can associate their sleep space with the things they like to do the most.
- Make sure every activity is calm and peaceful, especially towards the end of the night. Making your baby’s routine calming helps set the right mood for bedtime.
Delegate a Sleep Zone
It’s no secret that babies nap. A lot. But while life may be unpredictable, your baby’s sleep shouldn’t be. While your baby may be dozing off in the stroller or napping wherever their heart desires now, designating one area of the house to sleep is a must to ensure proper sleep.
If you provide your little one with a true place to rest, like the nursery, they will begin to associate that area with sleep, allowing them to fall asleep faster when it comes to bedtime.
Lead the Way
You can establish a bedtime routine, designate a sleep zone, and do various other methods to ensure your baby sleeps through the night. But, none of it will matter if you don’t stay consistent in your own nighttime routine. Not just you, either.
If Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or whoever follow different routines every night, it can catch your baby off guard and make it difficult to fall asleep. Having some sort of predictability day to day will help work towards a seamless bedtime routine for your baby.
Use White Noise
You’d be surprised how effective white noise is when it comes to your baby getting a restful night’s sleep. Playing white noise while your baby lays to rest will help drown out all distractions to help your little one fall asleep and stay asleep.
All it takes is pulling up a YouTube video or even using a fan in your baby’s room and your baby will be asleep in no time!
Lay Them Down Awake, But Not Drowsy
Possibly one of the most important tips when it comes to your baby and their sleep is putting them to bed when they’re drowsy but still awake. Doing so helps aid your baby to fall asleep on their own, making their journey to independent sleep much easier.
As tempting as it may be, holding or rocking your baby to sleep increases the chances of making it harder for your baby to go back to sleep if they wake up during the night.
Make Sure Your Baby is Comfortable
There’s a lengthy list of factors that contribute to your baby getting the restful night of sleep they crave. If your baby is uncomfortable, there’s no question as to why they’re having trouble sleeping through the night.
Elements such as temperature, noise, lights, and more all equally contribute to the quality of sleep for your baby, so be sure to tend to their needs like you would your own.
Clear the Clutter
No one likes a messy room, babies included. With toys and other knickknacks cluttering up the nursery, your baby may get confused and wonder whether its crib is a playpen or a place to sleep.
A quick fix for this is to designate your nursery as only a place to sleep and not play. Separating the two will help ensure your baby knows it’s time for bed when they’re in their crib, rather than time to play.
Dim the Lights
Cutting out all of the light your possibly can makes for a top-notch sleeping environment that will keep your baby asleep all through the night. While you may be an early riser, you definitely want your baby to sleep for as much as they can so they can be refreshed and rejuvenated for the day ahead.
Not only is it a good idea to block out the sun, but it might be wise to cut out the night-light too. Dimming the lights in your baby’s nursery will help soothe them, making the transition from day to night seamless.
Avoid Eye Contact
As weird as it sounds, it’s important to not make eye contact with your baby late at night. When you lock eyes with your little one, their heart rate speeds up and they become more awake.
While it’s encouraged to gaze into your baby’s eyes as often as you’d like during the day, doing so at night will make for a rowdy and awake baby.
Take Care of Yourself
Getting your baby to sleep can be a frustrating process. Whether you realize it or not, it can take a serious toll on you. It’s important to remember to schedule in some me-time for yourself as well as ask for help when you need it so you can remain in a good headspace. Above everything, remain patient and use these tips to help give your baby the good night’s rest they need to blossom!
