When your baby is 2 months old, he is becoming more aware of the world around him. He is starting to understand that daytime is for play and nighttime is for sleeping. However, he is still very little and probably can't sleep through the night yet. Whether it's because he's hungry, or because he misses his mommy and daddy, he's likely to wake up crying during the middle of the night, meaning you will have to wake up to attend to his needs. You can take some measures to help him sleep better.
Step 1
Develop and implement a nighttime routine that can be followed each night. This may include giving your baby a bath, reading her a story, singing her a song or playing her a CD of calming lullabies. The goal of the routine is to let your baby know it's bedtime, so it's OK if the routine isn't long.
Step 2
Give your baby his nighttime feeding. If your baby is formula-fed and you notice that he's waking up starving in the middle of the night, try giving him a little more than you normally would. In keeping with your nighttime routine, try to make sure the feeding is done in a room where there is no excessive light or noise to distract your baby.
Step 3
Put your baby down for sleep. Your baby may no longer need to be swaddled, but if she is used to the warmth of the swaddle, try using a sleep sack to keep her toasty. Also, a sleep positioner may be beneficial, especially if your baby tends to squirm around or is otherwise uncomfortable in her crib.
Step 4
Let your baby cry if he wakes up. When babies wake up, it's not always because they need to be fed or changed immediately. He might just be a little startled to be awake, or he might want attention from his parents. Give him five minutes to settle back down; if he doesn't, feel free to attend to his needs.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't get discouraged. The website Kids Health defines "sleeping through the night" as six to seven hours of consecutive sleep, so if your baby is sleeping that much, you've got nothing to worry about. If he gets up more frequently, just stick with your nighttime routine and he'll eventually figure it out. When your baby wakes up at night, try to minimize stimulation. Don't play with him and don't turn the lights on. You want your child to realize that nighttime is sleep time, not fun time. If you've tried everything and your baby isn't sleeping, take a look at his nap schedule. It's possible that he's napping too close to his bedtime, which is cutting into the amount of sleep he gets at night.
- Make sure your baby has a comfortable and safe sleeping environment. Keep her away from loose blankets and pillows, which can cause her to suffocate.
Things You'll Need
- Night light
- Lullaby CD
- Baby formula, if baby is bottle-fed
- Sleep positioner
- Sleep sack
