For most new parents, sleeping all night is a fond memory. A baby often wakes every few hours in the beginning of his life to feed or simply because he is unaware that night time is sleep time. A parent will have to accept night wakings to a certain point, but you do not need to accept staying up all night with the baby. There are some easy ways to help you on the way to a good, uninterrupted night's sleep.
Step 1
Create a soothing bedtime ritual. Perform the same ritual every night as a signal to baby that it is time to relax and bed time is coming. Give the baby a warm bubble bath and place her in comfortable cotton pajamas. Read her a book in a calm, quiet voice.
Step 2
Feed the baby immediately before bed. Make sure that the bedtime feeding is substantial, whether it involves solid foods or only breast milk or formula. Remember that this feeding should stave off hunger for several hours, hopefully until morning. Do not let the baby fall asleep without finishing an entire bottle or draining both breasts. Give him a good burping before he goes to sleep so he will not be uncomfortable during the night with gas bubbles.
Step 3
Place the baby on her back in the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS. Ensure that the crib is firm and comfortable. Say "goodnight" and leave the room. Put her in the crib while she is still awake so she will learn to sooth herself to sleep. Do not rock your baby to sleep, or she will not be able to go to sleep on her own. Expect that she may fuss and cry a bit when you initially leave the room, but remember that it will pass soon, and all of her physical needs are met.
Step 4
Feed the baby when he is hungry during the night. Learn your bab's feeding patterns, and always feed him if he is truly hungry. Keep in mind that a newborn may need to eat as often as every two to three hours, even at night. Try not to turn on bright lights or television, and do not talk or play with the baby if you want him to go back to sleep. Simply feed him and put him back to bed.
Step 5
Let your baby cry herself back to sleep if she is not hungry. Do not rush to her if you hear crying during the night, especially if her last feeding recently occurred. Try to give her a chance to go back to sleep on her own so she can get used to sleeping through the night.
