Getting a baby to sleep through the night is a dream for most parents, yet it is not always realistic. Every baby is different--some parents have babies who demonstrate wonderful sleeping habits, while other parents have trouble getting their babies to take even one nap during the day. You can help create strong sleeping habits in your baby by teaching her how an adult sleeps yet allowing her to fall asleep and to wake up as she needs.
Step 1
Understand your baby's body cues so you can help your baby fall asleep when she needs to. Do not try to force your baby to sleep when she isn't sleepy or keep her awake when she needs to rest. Putting a baby down to sleep when she exhibits such signs as yawning, rubbing her eyes and nodding her head down reinforce a good sleeping habit for her--that she should sleep when she is tired.
Step 2
Differentiate between night and day so your baby doesn't get confused. Because infants sleep often at night and during the day, it's easy for them to get confused between the two. The University of Michigan Health System recommends keeping curtains open or lights on in the baby's room during the day and making the room dark at night to teach your baby the difference. You can also establish nighttime routines that you perform every evening before bed but not in the day before a nap, such as reading a story or singing a song to your baby.
Step 3
Lessen the discomforts that your baby might face when trying to fall asleep. Dr. Bill Sears, pediatrician and professor of Pediatrics at the University of California at Irvine, explains that simple things, such as making sure a baby's diaper and sheets are clean, will help him fall asleep more easily when he is tired and develop a healthier sleeping routine. You can also make sure that his clothes are not too tight and that no strong scents linger in the area.
Step 4
Put the baby to sleep on her back instead of on her stomach. This position helps prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, according to the University of Michigan Health Systems. It also teaches babies how adults generally fall asleep, on their backs.
Step 5
Take away the bottle and pacifier before the baby falls asleep. Going to bed with the bottle or pacifier makes sleeping easier for many babies, yet it's actually not a wise habit to develop. Babies can become too dependent on the bottle or pacifier, making it difficult for them to fall asleep without it. This dependency may increase their attachment to the bottle or pacifier as they grow older. It's a healthier habit to teach babies to fall asleep on their own from the beginning.
