Getting your baby to sleep, especially at night, can be a challenging prospect. New parents are often stressed and rest deprived because their baby isn't sleeping well. Sleeping schedules for babies take time and patience to implement successfully. There are some time-saving tips that can help you send your baby off to dreamland with a minimum amount of fuss.
Routine
Develop a routine for your infant’s bedtime. This can include putting comfortable pajamas on the baby, singing to her, massaging and stroking her back, and positioning her in her crib. Stay with her no more than 10 minutes and then leave. She may fuss at first, but in time, she will get accustomed to the ritual and fall asleep shortly after you leave the room.
Motion
Rocking an infant is an age-old sleep inducer. Enliven this routine with an automatic infant swing, which can rock the baby while you attend to other matters in the home. Motion of any kind is generally a sleep inducer, so on occasion, take your child on a short car ride around the block to help him settle down and become drowsy.
Atmosphere
Put your infant down for the night or for a nap in a peaceful house. Turn down the lights, lower the volume on televisions and stereos, and instruct other family members to turn their attentions to quiet activities. These will become signals to the baby that it is time to rest and will make it easier for her to do so.
Basic Needs
Attend to all your baby’s essential needs before putting him to bed. Has he eaten recently? Burped? Is his diaper dry? Could he be too hot? Does he need medication on a rash? Have you given him time to unwind and settle? Tired parents must address all the basics before expecting their infant to be ready to go to sleep.
Adjust the Thermostat
Babies, like the rest of us, tend to sleep better in a cool--but not cold--room. Experiment with the temperature and the amount of bundling you put your baby in at bedtime. Find a good comfort level for her. If she is waking many times per night for no observable reason, it could be that she is getting too warm.
Daytime 'Party'
Make sure your infant is getting plenty of active stimulation during the day. This means lots of playing and interaction with you as well as “tummy time.” An infant who has had an energetic day will likely be tired at night and sleep more soundly for longer periods.
Bathing
Give your child a warm bath in the evening to promote drowsiness. Don’t rush it but instead take your time and wash him gently while talking softly to him. You may want to try a baby “body wash” that is scented with lilac or lavender to help him relax . If you do, test a small area of skin with the solution first to make sure there is no allergic reaction.
