You can't tell by looking at her, but your sleeping baby's body is completing amazing feats of growth and development. That's why its so important that your baby gets frequent, quality sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, newborn babies need to sleep 16 hours or more per day. Unfortunately, until babies mature and their nervous systems develop, their sleep schedules can be erratic. A routine and a few tips can help you put your baby to sleep with as little fuss as possible.
Establish a Routine
Routines may help put your baby to sleep, according to KidsHealth.org. While it may not be completely possible to establish a hard and fast sleeping routine, you can begin to associate certain cues with sleep. For example, if you always put the baby down after a warm bath, then the bath will help signal to the baby that it's time to sleep. If your baby usually falls asleep after feedings, plan on this being your routine and put your baby to sleep after feedings, even if she's still awake.
Put Your Baby to Bed Awake
According to The Mayo Clinic, babies should be awake when placed in their beds for naps or at night. When they're awake, they take in the process of being put down for a nap or for the night and begin to associate that and their beds with going to sleep. This can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep every time you place her in her bed.
Learn Your Baby's Sleep Habits
According to the Mayo Clinic, newborn babies sleep around four to five hours at a time, usually breaking to eat or be changed. You can use this to your advantage. For example, if you know it's been a few hours since your baby's last feeding or changing, wait until the next feeding or changing is complete to put the baby down to avoid her waking up a short time later. Coordinating your baby's needs schedule with the nap schedule will help you develop both a routine and pattern of uninterrupted sleep time.
Follow Infant Safety Sleeping Procedures
According to the Michigan Department of Human Services, babies should always be in their own beds, on their backs, with no toys, pillows or blankets that can cover their faces. Make sure the baby will be warm without overheating and use the same sleep routine and position each time you place your baby in his bed. Try soothing mobiles or sounds to occupy and relax the baby until he falls asleep. Make sure these items are out of his reach.
Be Active During the Day
According to the Mayo Clinic, the more your baby is stimulated during awake, active periods, the better she will sleep. Use your baby's awake time to play, make noises and interact as much as possible. Not only does this tire out your baby, but it also aids motor and language development. The Mayo Clinic also recommends placing your baby in a well-lit area with plenty of household sounds during awake, active periods to help the baby sleep later in darker, quieter conditions.
Back Rubs and Rocking
According to KidsHealth.org, routine activities like rocking, singing or rubbing your baby's back before sleep can relax her. Consistently performing these soothing activities also helps your baby associate them with sleeping and can lull your baby into a nap. This is especially helpful for fussy babies. These activities will also help your baby return to sleep in the middle of the night.
