New parents often ask – “How can I help my baby fall asleep?” Since every baby is unique, there is no single set technique that is guaranteed to work. However, we have some suggestions as to why your baby won’t sleep, and a few tried and true methods that parents can deploy to help their little one drift off into dreamland.
Typical Sleep Tactics
Before, it was believed that if a child didn’t sleep through the night, they needed another bottle in the evening. Psychologists and sleep scientists today emphasise that a baby cannot sleep through the night. Instead, it is entirely normal for them to repeatedly wake up to take a drink (from the breast or the bottle).
The same is true of sleeping. Babies under a year old who are put down and fall asleep instantly on their own are sometimes reported by parents. Some parents have to carry their young children around the house in the evening to put them to sleep.
In the family bed, other babies can only sleep next to their parents. In the first few months, nursing babies can often fall asleep with the assistance of the breast. Babies who are bottle-fed receive a bottle more frequently, which helps them sleep better. It’s just different, not at all incorrect.
Comfortable Sleeping Environment
A baby should have a relaxing environment to sleep soundly, just like we do. Make sure there aren’t too many blankets or plush toys on the bed. A newborn doesn’t actually require stuffed animals or other items of the sort.
The baby shouldn’t be overdressed, but shouldn’t be too cold. A bedroom should be around 18 degrees Celsius in temperature. It’s common for babies to have cold hands and feet, just like adults, even when your core body temperature is warm, so don’t use hands and feet as a measure of your baby’s temperature.
The best thing to do is use a video baby monitor with a temperature sensor so that you can keep a close eye on your baby when you’re not there, and also check the room temperature for comfort.
Before going to bed, the room should be well-ventilated and darkened. You don’t need to open a window in the winter, but window vents should be open or the bedroom door slightly agar.
Either the atmosphere is generally quiet or a night light projector and mild sounds are active. The V-Tech Hush Sleep Aid, which emits natural sounds and a warm glow, is revered by some parents.
Create a bedtime routine
Your baby must first learn structure and the rhythm of the day and night. They always use the same procedures to accomplish this. When you go to bed at night, you should get used to it.
Always take your time and do things in the same order. For instance, brush your teeth (when there are teeth to brush, of course), take a bath, change a baby’s nappy, put on pyjamas, cuddle with a loved one, and then go to bed. Some infants can only fall asleep with a dummy, while others will eventually benefit from a small comforter or cuddly toy.
Comfortable Bed
It’s important to make sure your baby has a comfortable cot and mattress to lay on. This will help regulate body temperature and support their bodies, giving them a feeling of comfort and safety to drift off.
Soft Singing
Many babies find it helpful if you hum softly, sing to them, or say something else to them as they drift off to sleep. Of course, it has to be brief and uninteresting.
This can trigger Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, for short.
Your voice can help your baby feel more at ease. This will divert the attention of other babies more. Additionally, you can try it for a short period of time before going to sleep. Some infants prefer repetitive sounds to help them fall asleep (known as white noise).
Raindrops, wind, a hair dryer, or even the washing machine can do this. Even an app with these noises is available to aid in sleep.
Parental Patience
In order for your baby to fall asleep, you should be relaxed. When it takes several tries to get the child to fall asleep or when they have to sit by the bed for hours, I know it’s so simple to say.
However, these stages pass. Your baby will notice your stress and annoyance during the bedtime routine and become more restless or cry. So none of you receives assistance.
When one partner is upset, you might prefer to take turns. Remind yourself that your child is still in elementary school and just trying to get through the day when it comes to falling asleep.
It will then be a little simpler. And if you’ve tried everything and the child is still awake at 10 p.m. despite the fact that it’s 8 p.m., that’s unfortunately part of it. Remember that this happens to all parents occasionally.
Don’t leave Them to Cry and Scream
Let the kids scream, it was once said; they have to learn to fall asleep on their own, sometimes called, tough love. Don’t leave your baby alone to dry themselves to sleep.
A crying baby is constantly trying to communicate. If the cause of the screaming isn’t always physical, it may also be psychological. As soon as a baby cries, you need to let them know you are there. Once it has gained trust, it can later doze off more quickly.
In light of this, you should always check on the child whenever they whimpers and especially when they scream loudly. The family bed and cuddle toys can aid in the baby’s sleep here. However, there might also be a more serious reason for it. Check for things like a nappy rash or high temperature.
When a child is teething, the only thing that frequently helps at night is to just be there for them. Consult your paediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s health and sleep.
