New parents often feel exhausted, and they may easily wonder if their baby will ever sleep through the night. The good news is that, although there is considerable variation, it takes only a few weeks for babies to begin sleeping for increasing lengths of time. In addition, there are several good methods for helping baby get to sleep and stay asleep, and some of them prove quite simple.
Be Patient at First
Newborns sleep more hours of the day than they remain awake. The problem for parents is that they tend to sleep as little as an hour at a time, and they may sleep more during the day than during the night. At this very early stage, it becomes more helpful to try to sleep when baby sleeps than to try to change the baby's patterns. Once the baby begins to sleep for longer stretches, you can begin to introduce things that will help baby get to sleep and stay asleep.
Daytime Activities and Interaction
Once baby begins sleeping for longer periods of time, simply encouraging daytime activity can help ensure that more sleep happens at night. Singing, playing, talking and going outdoors in good weather all prove helpful for keeping baby awake and alert during the day.
Helpful Routines and Environment
As baby gets older, bedtime routines help communicate that it is now time for sleep. Quiet, darkness, pre-bedtime bath, cuddling, gentle massage, soothing sounds and your presence may all be calming for the baby. Once you know which techniques works well for your baby, make it a routine. Renowned pediatrician and author, Dr. William Sears stresses the importance of bedtime routines. Sleeping in the same place each night proves important. Also, if you play music, play the same music each night.
A Pacifier
If your baby becomes fussy at bedtime, a pacifier may help her calm down enough to sleep. Older babies may be soothed by a special blanket as well.
Lavender
A drop of lavender oil on baby's nightwear or bedding can help. Look for baby bath and oil products that include lavender oil as an ingredient. Studies have shown that lavender scent helps people not only sleep, but enter into a deeper level of sleep. One University of Southampton study showed that lavender scent improved sleep quality by 20%.
