Every mom needs to be physically and mentally healthy to be able to take care of her baby. Getting enough sleep is one of the key aspects that stabilizes the body and provides you with the energy to carry on with your child’s daily routine. Being a mom is exhausting, so it is okay to seek support and ask for help whenever things get out of control. Most babies, especially in the first three months of their lives, tend to be fussy and demanding.
The truth is that babies’ only needs are to sleep, feed, and get their diapers changed. If you have a problem with putting your baby to sleep and getting enough rest yourself, read on to know great programs that will help you and your baby sleep better.
Stick to a Nighttime Routine
Start in the early evening around 7-8 pm and try to stick to a consistent approach, where you do the same things every night to help your little one be calm and ready to fall asleep peacefully. Babies tend to learn new sleeping skills easily when they’re not overtired, so don’t wait until your child is fussy. Work on showing your baby the difference between day and night so that they know nighttime is for sleeping. In the morning, open all the curtains or blinds to allow sunlight in. Create a calm relaxing atmosphere for your baby at night by dimming the lights and omitting any noise. Your little one will likely wake up several times to feed, so try to be as quiet as possible and keep the room dark; no need to switch the lights on.
Associate Things with Sleep time
In addition to establishing a bedtime routine, try to get your baby used to some sleep associations. For example, switching off bright lights keeping only a bedside lamp on translates to the baby immediately that it’s time to go to bed. You can also bathe your baby an hour before bed to set a relaxing mood helping them fall asleep faster. If you’re having a hard time following a strict bedtime routine or your baby fights sleep even though you do the right preparations, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Many moms refer to the professionals at LittleOnes.co for advice on how to prepare their babies for bedtime. Talk to your partner to help you out when you’re tired or ask family members for help.
Try External Baby Gadgets
Babies are different; one method will not work for all. Therefore, you should try out different things to soothe your little ones and help them to sleep tighter. Many parents rely on swaddle blankets, especially during the newborn stage. Wrapping your baby up makes them feel secure and safe like they were in your womb, so falling asleep becomes a lot easier for them. Other moms swear by pacifiers, they work magic on their babies to calm them down and eventually make them doze off. Moreover, many babies love to sleep with monotonic sounds, so turning on your washing machine or vacuum can be music to your baby’s ears. You can download a white noise application that has several sounds to help your baby catch some zs.
Set Consistent Naps
While night’s sleep is mandatory for both of you and your child, it is essential to allow your baby to drift off during the daytime, too. When you get your baby used to a consistent daytime napping routine, they’re more likely to sleep for longer periods at night. According to your baby’s age, stick to the wake time routine. For instance, if your baby is two months old, they will need to nap almost every 2-3 hours. Make sure you lie down with your baby at specific times of the day to help you get the rest you need.
The dilemma of putting your child to sleep is a concern to all moms, especially new ones. You’re mostly tired because you cannot find an easy way to help your baby fall asleep, which exhausts you and wears your body down. Don’t overthink this problem, as we have listed some tested and proven techniques that will easily get you and your baby to sleep and rest. Remember that there is no right or wrong in motherhood. Take your time to learn and choose a comfortable approach that you can stick to. It is okay to soothe your baby to sleep, but you can also try practicing self-soothing techniques to help your little one sleep on their own.