Babies are notoriously resistant to falling asleep. Even when your baby is tired, she may spend a lot of energy attempting to keep her eyes open. If your baby was previously a good sleeper and begins crying at bedtime, she might be going through a new developmental stage or a growth spurt. Since it is important for your baby and for you to get enough sleep, experiment with different strategies to send your little one off to dreamland.
Swaddle
Newborns are fresh from the womb, which kept them nice and snug during their final weeks before birth. Swaddling feels familiar and secure to your baby. Wrap him snugly in a light receiving blanket, keeping his arms inside the blanket. Take care not to let him get overheated. If his tummy is full and his diaper is changed, swaddling may be what he needs to go from drowsy to asleep.
White Noise
The Mayo Clinic recommends using a natural sounds CD, a fan or a vacuum cleaner to create white noise. This can help your baby tune out any other stimulation that is making her fussy, and allow her to drift off to sleep. Rhythmic white noise can mimic the sounds that your baby heard while in utero, helping her to relax. It can also help her to stay asleep by blocking out the sudden sound of a ringing telephone or a barking dog that may jar her awake.
Feeding
In the early weeks and months, your baby may often fall asleep at your breast or while finishing his bottle. While some parenting books encourage moms to wake the baby up and place him in his crib drowsy, the Dr. Sears website suggests allowing your baby to fall asleep while feeding, and simply placing him in his crib while he is fully asleep. You will have plenty of time to teach him to self-soothe while he's older; right now, getting enough sleep yourself is more important.
Go For a Drive
If your baby is tired but unable to fall asleep, strap her into her car seat and go for a drive around the neighborhood. The gentle rhythm of riding in the car can lull even the most resistant baby into dreamland. Once she's sleeping, carry her in her car seat into the house, and allow her to remain there until she wakes up for a feeding. Other ways to lull her to sleep with the same effect include going for a walk in the stroller or letting her fall asleep in a vibrating chair or swing.
Snuggle in Bed
Most babies will happily fall asleep while snuggling with their mother. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends against the practice, many moms find co-sleeping to be an easy and safe way to allow everyone to get the sleep that they need. Pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon recommends co-sleeping for mothers and babies, but suggests several guidelines for optimal safety. These include placing the baby between the mother and a rail or wall, instead of between both parents; not co-sleeping if you are taking any type of medication that may alter your consciousness; keeping baby away from heavy blankets, comforters or pillows; and not allowing siblings to sleep in the same bed as a young infant. Talk to your pediatrician before making a decision about co-sleeping.
