How to Get Baby Sleeping Through the Night
Infants Sleep Better When Put to Bed Awake After a Bedtime Routine
Oct 12, 2009
For most new parents, the first months with a new baby are filled with a mixture of many emotions. A new baby brings an love and joy into a family, but parents can becomes exhausted until baby is sleeping through the night. Establishing a bedtime routine is one way to help baby to sleep through the night.
Because sleep deprivation can cause irritability and lack of patience, the amount of sleep parents get affects the quality of life for the whole family. The obvious solution is to help baby to sleep better at night. However, this is easier said than done for most parents. These tips will help babies to sleep well early on and continue to sleep well through infancy.
Helping Baby Sleep Through the Night In His or Her Own Sleeping Space
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the safest place for baby to sleep is his or her own bed. This could be a standard crib, portable crib or bassinet. A baby's own bed is also where he or she will get the best sleep because baby and parents will not be waking each other through the night. This does not mean that baby must be in a separate room from the parents, however parents may find that having baby sleep in another room may help everyone sleep even better.
Putting Baby To Sleep Tired but Awake to Help Baby Sleep Through the Night
Teaching baby to fall asleep on his or her own is key to helping everyone in the family sleep better. When baby gets into the habit of being rocked or nursed to sleep, he or she will not be able to fall back to sleep alone after waking in the night.
Start Helping Baby Fall Asleep Alone Early On
Babies will quickly fall into routines that parents establish very early on. Therefore, it is important that parents start helping baby fall asleep on his or her own very early on. Of course, baby's temperament will influence progress. Parents of very fussy or colicky babies may need to wait until baby is a little older and past the fussy or colicky stage.
Help Baby Sleep Through the Night By Establishing a Consistent Bedtime Routine
According to Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway, authors of What to Expect: The First Year [Workman Publishing Company , 2003], a bedtime routine is the best way to help baby fall asleep on his or her own. Parents should develop a routine consisting of some or all of the following: nursing or a bottle, a bath, rocking, a book, a song or some cuddling. The exact routine does not matter, but what does matter is that it stays consistent every night. Finally, baby should be laid down to sleep while still awake. If baby fusses, try leaving and returning every few minutes to comfort him until he is asleep.
Many sleep deprived parents search for answers to help their babies sleep through the night. Parents can try putting baby in his or her own own bed, putting baby to sleep tired but awake, and establishing a bedtime routine as ways to help a baby sleep.
References:
The American Academy of Pediatrics
Eisenberg, Arlene; Murkoff, Heidi E and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N. What to Expect: The First Year. Workman Publishing Company, 2003.
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