20/10/2022
1. KEEP YOUR BABY COMFORTABLE
Before putting your baby in the crib, check that they’re comfortable. Does your little one need a diaper change or a feeding? Is your baby dressed in appropriate layers for warmth, but not overdressed? Is the room temperature cool but comfortable? A quiet, cozy, and calm environment will go a long way in helping your baby fall asleep. You may also consider to:
Darken the room by turning off the main lights and drawing the shades.
Turn on a night-light so there’s a little light to calm your baby.
Play some soothing sounds to help make your baby sleepy, such as soft music or white noise.
2. SWADDLE YOUR BABY
When swaddled, many newborns and young infants fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Because their little bodies are still developing, newborns lack motor control and often involuntarily twitch, flail their arms, and move their legs during sleep. This unintentional movement can accidentally wake them, which is why swaddling can be a good solution, as it gives them a feeling of comfort and security and keeps their arms and legs from moving too much.Use a lightweight cotton swaddling blanket to help prevent your baby from overheating.
3. GIVE YOUR BABY ATTENTION DURING THE DAY
Your baby will feel calmer and more secure (and ready for sleep in the evening) when you provide them with a good amount of attention and stimulation during the day. Hold your little one, cuddle them, play with them, and talk to them. Your baby may be more likely to settle down for sleep once they’ve gotten their fill of love and attention while awake.
4. ESTABLISH A BEDTIME ROUTINE
As early as 6 to 8 weeks old, you can start to create a soothing bedtime routine with your little one. Your routine can include anything you like, but keep the following in mind:
The routine should be calming and relaxing; avoid anything that's active or too stimulating.
The final part of the routine (at least the last 10 minutes) should take place in your baby’s bedroom or your room (if you are room-sharing). This helps your baby associate the bedroom with positive, tranquil activities, where they can spend quality time with you while drifting off to sleep.
The point of a bedtime routine is to wind down and signal to your baby that the time for sleep is coming. Here’s a list of some things you could include in your baby’s bedtime routine:
A warm bath
A baby massage
Dressing your baby for sleep
Brushing teeth
Reading a story together
Singing a lullaby
Playing white noise, such as with a fan (pointed away from your baby) or a sound machine
Counting to 10 or singing the ABCs (with your older baby)
A goodnight hug and kiss
Swaddling (for infants).
5. PLACE YOUR BABY IN A CRIB BEFORE THEY FALL ASLEEP
When learning how to put a baby to sleep, this tip is one of the most important. By putting your baby in their crib before they fall asleep (and while drowsy), you help them form a positive sleep association, equating the crib with snoozes. By the same token, if your baby always falls asleep in your arms, they may struggle to sleep in the crib, as that won’t feel familiar. It may also result in your baby crying until you pick them up when waking during the night, because your arms are what they’ll associate with sleeping. To know when it’s time to put your baby in the crib, look out for sleep cues, such as drooping eyelids, rubbing of the eyes, fussiness.
Remember to practice safe sleep for babies by always placing your little one on their back when you put them down in the crib for napping or sleeping. Also, make sure that their crib is free of loose bedding, blankets, pillows, and toys.
6. OFFER YOUR BABY A PACIFIER
If you’re breastfeeding, wait until your baby is about 3 to 4 weeks old before offering a pacifier. If your baby’s pacifier falls out while sleeping, there’s no need to put it back in their mouth. However, don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle, as the milk or formula can pool in their mouth, leading to dental decay and ear infections.
7. STRIKE A BALANCE WHEN ATTENDING TO YOUR BABY'S NEEDS AT NIGHT
If your baby is particularly fussy at night and wakes up after falling asleep, try not to go to their side immediately. Instead, give your little one a chance to self-soothe and fall back asleep on their own. But if your baby continues to cry and fuss, they may have a need that should be addressed, such as a feeding or diaper change. When attending to your baby’s needs at night, it’s best to do so without turning on the bedroom lights and while keeping things quiet and calm. After you’re done with the feeding or diaper change, put your baby back in the crib for sleep. If you think your baby is fussy because they may be sick, check for a fever or any other symptoms of illness, and contact your child’s Pediatrician as needed.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Here are a few things to avoid when putting your baby to sleep:
Thinking you can “make” your baby fall asleep. It’s tempting to want to know how to make a baby go to sleep, but this idea is a misnomer. You can’t “make” a baby do anything! Your baby’s actions and reactions are out of your control, and theirs. The best advice, as mentioned above, is to work with your baby’s preferences and take the time to gradually establish a sleep routine. Be patient and stay positive—if you respond negatively, sleep problems are likely to get worse.
Holding your baby until they fall asleep. It’s best to avoid the temptation of holding them until they fall asleep. Your baby will get used to being held when drifting off and likely depend upon being held in your arms to fall asleep. That means crying to you when waking in the night and missing out on learning self-soothing techniques.
Keeping your baby awake all day so they’re extra sleepy at night. There are lots of ways to encourage your baby to sleep through the night, but causing them to be overtired is not one of them. The stress that babies feel from over-tiredness will only make it harder for them to settle down to sleep.
Dr Omair is a leading Child Specialist with special interest in newborn care, infectious diseases
