Baby-Sleep Tips For Exhausted New Parents

Having your first child is very exciting, amazing, and overwhelming all at once. All parents worldwide have their own ways of parenting, but one thing is true no matter where or what the parenting style is, we all do what the best for our kids is.

A lot is being done in the US to improve the infant mortality rate. Most infant deaths are linked with sleep and can also be prevented. Most parents may already know the ABC of a safe sleep cycle for Alone infants on their Back and an empty Crib. But right in the middle of the night, when a parent is highly tried, they don’t always stick to the ABCs.

So, what are some sleep training solutions that you can try out for your infant child so that they can sleep sound?

1. Develop a routine and stick to it

Giving a nice bath, singing a song, or telling stories are the best opportunities to bond and put your child in a calm mood before bed. Routine is the key to having a good sleep habit. Infants and children who are overtired have a lot more difficulty falling and staying asleep; hence, you should get babies to bed before they get too tired.

Establishing a predictable daily schedule helps babies understand that certain events, such as naps and playtime, occur at approximately the same time every day. A sleep routine teaches babies when it is appropriate to be awake and fall asleep. 

Taking steps to ensure not only quantity, but also quality of sleep can help maximize your little one’s rest. Stick to a consistent bedtime ritual like quiet activities that signal they are winding down, keep the bedroom dark when sleeping and avoid too much stimulation in the form of background noise or television during nap times.

2. Put the baby in the crib while he is still awake

This will teach your child to fall asleep by themselves and not rely on the adult to help.

Put him in the crib while he is still awake and stay near him until he falls asleep. Don’t pick him up if he starts fussing; instead, use soothing words and patting or rubbing his back until he falls asleep. This method lets your baby know that it’s okay to sleep alone and that you’re close by when needed. With consistency, this will become the new normal for both parent and child.

3. Consistent and regular naps are a must

Sleep begets sleep. If a child is well-rested, he would be a better sleeper than the one who is tired. Although it is rather tempting to run errands and do other things done while having the baby in tow, a nap is more important for brain development and establishing healthy sleeping habits.

It is important to create a solid nap schedule for the baby to form healthy sleep habits, as this can mean more restful hours for mom and dad in the long run. Naps can help babies recharge, allowing them to stay energized throughout the day and better process information. 

Regular napping helps with their development and it also means that parents can look forward to quality family time instead of dealing with an tired baby in the evening.

4. Good quality sleep results in a happy and well-rested baby

This means that sleeping in a safe, quiet place is where you should make your baby sleep and not in a stroller. You have to run errands, and the baby will fall asleep in the car seat, but you should move the baby in the crib as soon as you reach home. Sleep must be a priority.

Good quality sleep for babies is essential for growth and development, so it’s important to develop a plan to encourage sound restful nights. A few tips that can get you started are establishing a calming nighttime routine, making sure the baby’s sleeping environment is dark and quiet, ensuring their bedtime routine involves winding down activities and keeping the room slightly cool when putting your baby down at night.

5. Get blackout curtains

When you want your baby to be sleeping sound, you need to prepare your house for that. You cannot expect your baby to fall asleep and wake up all fresh if they are sleeping in a well-lit room where there is all noise and chatter. You have to get blackout curtains that will make the room a mood perfect for sleep.

Blackout curtains create an almost pitch-black environment in the nursery, allowing babies and children to stay asleep for longer periods at night and for more refreshing naps during the day.

You may also want to consider keeping the lights low during naptime and bedtime, since it can help baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Dimly lit environments are calming for little ones, leading to a more restful sleep. 

Try opening the blinds or curtains just a bit before turning on any overhead lights, or light nightlights or small lamps around the room instead of bright overhead lighting. If it’s too dark for you to see, you can use dim glow monitors that don’t interfere with your little one’s slumber pattern.

baby sleeping image

6. Consider using a pacifier

With its comforting sucking sensation, a pacifier can help lull babies off to dreamland quickly and effectively.

Pacifiers are readily available, come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and can even help soothe your little one while they fall asleep. In addition, pacifiers have the potential to reduce crying which can lead to fewer sleepless nights for both parent and baby.\

7. Keep your voice low

Having a soft, low tone can help your baby instantly become soothed, as babies can sense anxiety when someone speaks in a higher pitch. New parents should avoid talking in loud or excited tones especially when trying to put their baby to sleep.

Keeping your voice soft and whispery will ensure that you don’t wake up your little one too much. Aside from allowing them to settle back down quickly, it could also help make the entire process less stressful and prevent any tears or meltdowns.

These are some sleep training solutions that you can try for your baby and make him a healthy child in all early months and the years to come. It would help if you also note that sleeping schedules and patterns affect the development of the brain and body; hence you should always try giving your child the safest sleeping habits. You can try these sleep training solutions as well.