6 foolproof steps to get babies to sleep

6 steps to get babies to sleep

Sleep…it’s what every parent craves for themselves and their baby.

To get your baby to sleep through the entire night is better than winning the lottery for many parents. If you don’t believe me, ask any parent with a baby under the age of one.

In those first few weeks or months, a baby wakes up at night because they need to be fed. Their little systems simply can’t go without food for that long. That’s life. But later on (about the age of 4 to 6 months) babies can go through the night without eating if mums and dads make sure they’re filled up with a little snack or bottle/nursing session right before going down for the night. At this point, babies can sleep through the night if they are trained to do so. This training comes from parents who are calm, diligent and resourceful.

Speaking of resources…that’s what I want you to consider when trying the following 6 ideas to get your baby to sleep through the night.

1. Make sure they are full

Babies will naturally wake up to eat during the first 4 to 6 months of life. They have to. But after that, as long as your make sure their belly is full at bedtime, waking up to eat is likely more of a habit than a need. To accomplish this, make a night time bottle/nursing session and a solid snack part of their bedtime routine.

2. Create a bedtime routine

By having a routine, your baby will know what to expect and will develop the routine of sleeping through the night. The most important part of this routine is to dial down anything that stimulates the baby such as noises, active play and foods with caffeine and sugar.

3. Ease your baby into sleeping

Easing your baby into sleeping through the night should be a part of your bedtime routine. This should include a warm bath, cuddling, feeding and tucking into bed with the assurance that all will be well tomorrow.

4. Put your baby in their crib just before they are asleep

By putting your baby in their crib while they are drowsy but not sleeping, it will help them to associate the crib with going to sleep rather than just being rocked or held by you.

5. Wear your baby out during the day

Babies need naps during the day, but don’t let naps last more than an hour or two, and not past 2 or 3pm in the afternoon. By keeping your baby stimulated by talking, singing, reading and playing with them, they will play during the day and will be resting well at night.

6. Give them time and be patient

Don’t rush in at the first sign of ‘trouble’. You know your baby and their cries. So if it’s not a cry that says ‘I’m hurt and in trouble’, let them cry for a while, go comfort, leave, let them cry a bit longer (if they do) before you go back in, soothe, leave and repeat the process until everyone is sleeping through the night peacefully

Written by

Darla Noble

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