Is your baby active and awake during night? Have you tried out everything but nothing seems to work? Are you constantly looking for ways on how how to get baby to sleep through the night?
If you are a sleep deprived mother who wants her baby to have a good sleep routine at night, we are here to help. Read on to find how you can achieve the same by using some effective tips.
How To Get Baby To Sleep Through The Night:
Your newborn should ideally sleep for 16 hours or more during the day in various stretches. Initially, your baby might do most of this sleep through the day, while the night sleep routine will still be erratic. By the time your baby reaches four months, you will notice a sleep pattern forming. Your baby may start sleeping for longer stretches, even at night, sometimes for as long as four hours at a stretch. It might take time for your baby to understand this pattern. Gentle guiding and setting a pattern will help your baby sleep better. (1)
Tips On How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night:
Here are some simple and effective tips that will help your baby sleeping through the night: (2)
1. Set A Routine:
Your baby will highly benefit from a routine, even as young as two to three months of age.
- Set a simple bedtime routine for your baby.
- Make sure you keep your baby’s sleep times consistent each day.
- Your baby may still not follow the pattern, but give it time.
- Even if your baby seems in a playful mood, make her lie down and put her to bed.
- Do all the sleep related activities you do with her, at the same time each day.
- Doing this consistently each day will establish a routine for your baby.
2. Keep Her Engaged Through The Day:
As your baby starts to get more active, engage her more during the day.
- Play with her more during the evening.
- Take her out for walks and help her engage more mentally and physically.
- Try and extend her wake time in the second half.
- If you feel her getting sleepy in the late evening, show her an activity that will keep her awake some more.
- Gradually, her sleep time will shift towards night.
3. Use The Bedroom A Sleep Place:
Teach your baby that the bedroom is a place to sleep.
- Each time you put your baby to sleep, make sure you do it in a designated area in the bedroom.
- Your baby will soon start identifying the space with sleep.
- Make sure you do not engage her in play and other activities in the sleep area.
- Remove all toys and other distractions from the sleeping area and dedicate it only to sleep.
- Keep the night time conditions in the room consistent. The lights and sounds she experiences while going to sleep should remain the same throughout. Even if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she will see nothing has changed and will fall off to sleep easily.
4. Avoid Picking Up Or Playing In The Middle Of The Night:
Do not pick up your baby or play with her if she wakes up in the middle of the night.
- Instead, quietly guide her back to sleep again.
- If she cries to be picked up, try soothing her back to sleep by gently patting her.
- Sing a rhyme you sing at bedtime to make her understand it is still time to sleep.
- Your baby may not yet understand the difference between waking up after a full sleep and waking up in the middle of sleep. Continue with putting to sleep routines even if she seems fully awake in the middle of the night.
5. Engage Her In Soothing Activities Right Before Bedtime:
Keep the most soothing activities for the last.
- Involve your baby in her most favorite quiet activities closest to bedtime.
- She will start looking forward to bedtime and will be more calm and relaxed.
- Activities like singing a favorite rhyme, patting her back and head and giving a massage will all help calm her. This will help the baby sleep through night.
6. Make The Last Meal A Filling One:
Many times, your baby might wake up in the middle of the night due to hunger. So eating will assist in getting the baby to sleep through the night.
- Make her eat something that will keep her full through the night.
- If your baby has started solids, ensure she gets enough food to sustain through the night or as long as possible.
- If your baby is still on your feed, feed her just before putting her to sleep.
7. Give Her A Bedtime Bath:
A bedtime bath will help your baby relax and get in the sleep mode.
- Make bedtime bath an everyday routine if the weather permits.
- Give her a nice relaxing bath in warm water. Make sure there are no toys in the bath during night, as it can make your baby more active instead of relaxed.
- Massage her post-bath and stop all play activities once she has her bath.
- Put her in comfortable clothes and give her a feed if she needs.
- Put her straight to bed, so that she associates the night bath with sleep time.
8. Switch Off All Distractions For Everyone:
Show your baby that night time is sleep time for everyone.
- Switch off all distractions like television, loud noise or bright lights.
- Ask all family members to reduce distractions as much as possible.
- If other members continue with ‘stay up’ activities, it can confuse your baby. Ask everyone to follow the switch off mode at least for the initial few weeks. Once your baby falls into a routine, it will be easier for her to feel sleepy herself.
9. Comfortable Clothes And Bedding:
Get your baby in comfortable sleep wear when it is her bedtime.
- Keep sleep clothes separate from day wear. Once you put her in her sleep clothes, your baby will start associating them with bedtime.
- The clothes should be comfortable and preferably made of cotton. Ensure they are of a good breathable material. Your baby should not feel hot or cold in her sleep clothes.
- Keep her bed empty, with no pillows till she is at least a year or so old. Remove all blankets, toys and comforters (see next point). Instead, put your baby in clothes that will keep her warm and snug through the night. This will help in getting baby to sleep through the night.
10. A Sleep Toy:
Sometimes, a sleep toy can help your baby feel secure and calm.
- Get her a small toy that she will gradually associate with bedtime.
- Let her hold it through the night, especially while you are putting her to sleep.
- You can show her it is bedtime by patting the toy and giving it to her.
- Let her hold it and take it to her bed. Make sure the toy is safe and has no choking or other hazards for your baby.
Every baby is different and may take more or less time to form a routine.Your question on how to get my baby to sleep through the night has been answered herein this article.Do not worry if you feel your baby is not falling into a sleep pattern yet. Help her to understand the changes slowly and gently.Remember, it is a big achievement for her to sleep through the night, so let her do it on her own pace.
Did you try out any special tips to help your baby sleep through the night? What tactics worked best for your baby and you? Do share with all moms here.
