Alex Moore
Freelance Writer

 

Are you trying to convince your baby to go to sleep each and every night? Adequate sleep is essential to a baby’s growth and development. During the first few months, some infants tend to be irritable and have a hard time sleeping through the night. While it is every mom’s dream to get a good night’s rest, it’s easier said than done. Although it may take some time, the results of sleep-training are credible and, dare we say, incredible. So, how do you go about that? Here are a couple of ways that can help your little one rest better.

1. Create a Suitable Environment

Falling asleep in an uncomfortable environment can be for most, not to mention uncomfortable. Ensure your baby’s room is dark at night and bright during the day.

When putting them to bed, ensure the room is dark to trigger dozing off. With time, your baby can tell when it’s time to sleep. You ought to ensure the pillows and sheets are clean at all times.

Some tips and tricks to clean your memory foam pillow include:

• Soaking the pillow in baking soda to leave the cushion smelling fresh.
• Ensuring the bedding is completely dry to prevent mildew formation.
• Using warm water to enhance dirt removal.

2. Set a Consistent Sleeping Routine

A consistent sleeping routine helps your baby rest better for extended hours. Here are a couple of ideas that can help you set up a cycle:

• Ensure your baby is well-fed.
• You can massage your baby after baths to help them relax and promote sleep.

Apart from improving rest, a massage can also:

• Improves digestion.
• Helps to increase the bond between you and your baby.
• Promotes good blood flow.

The process of creating a consistent sleeping schedule can take longer than you would expect. Angela, a businesswoman, and mum, took four nights to guide her baby. Each day, the baby cried less and slept better. Eventually, after the fourth night, the little one could now get to bed on his own and hardly wakes up at night.

3. Sleep-training

There are several methods of sleep-training your baby. Some of the techniques include:

• Graduated extinction.
• Baby-fading.

These techniques aim to help the baby adapt to changes by themselves. In one study, babies that were trained using the graduated extinction technique slept better through the night. Such a technique helps babies learn that throwing tantrums does not lead to the parents’ attention. As a result, your baby can fall asleep and rest for longer periods without having to sooth them.

Sleep-training has a dozen benefits not only to your baby but for you as well. Liadan Hynes sought professional help when her daughter was about four months. The baby was suffering from reflux, and it didn’t make the situation any better.

She managed to train her baby without leaving her to cry for long periods. The approach was to stay and support the baby until she could adapt to change. This technique takes time but is helpful especially to infants with underlying health issues.

4. Be Close to Your Baby

Keeping your baby close has several advantages. They include:

• Paying attention to your baby at all times.
• It helps to create a strong bond with your baby.
• It gives you peace of mind as you watch your baby.

When your baby is young, say for the first six months, it is advisable to share your bed with them. This helps you reach for the baby easily and allows you to monitor their sleeping patterns. This way, it is easier to initiate sleep-training by paying attention to their behavior throughout the period.

Nothing is as soothing as holding your baby to nap. Babies, especially the first few months are likely to doze off in their parents’ arms.

While some babies can fall asleep by themselves, carrying them helps you to learn how long it takes for them to fall asleep. Consequently, you can learn tricks that can help you train them to maintain consistency at night.

5. Ensure Your Baby Gets Daytime Naps

You may be having the idea that leaving your baby awake all day could lead to a better night rest. Unfortunately, babies that stay awake all day have a hard time maintaining a steady nighttime routine. For infants, they tend to stay awake after every few hours of rest. The benefits of daytime naps include:

• Naps allow babies to relax helping them rest better during the night.
• A daytime nap is helpful for the digestion system after feeds.

It is, therefore essential to have a few naps per day and take time out with them out of the house to cut off the day-night confusion.

Conclusion

Generally, with the right techniques, your baby can finally adopt a sleeping routine and rest better. When sleeping, you should ensure the setting is calm and safe for your baby. Ensure your baby gets adequate naps during the day.

Additionally, pay close attention, understand their sleeping pattern and initiate sleep-training as early as possible. Eventually, you can rest assured your baby will fall asleep better and maintain consistency.

 

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About Alex Moore

Alex Moore is a freelance writer and sleep-oriented freelance writer. Over the past years, Alex has collaborated with various prestigious online publications including SidesSleeperGuide.com. Alex is also fascinated by interior design and spends a fair amount of time watching quilting videos online.

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