How to Get a Newborn to Sleep Through the Night

By eHow Parenting Editor

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When it comes to newborns, sleep is one of the most frequently talked about topics. Getting your baby sleeping through the night is no small task. Many parents find that the Ferber method is an effective way to get a baby to sleep through the night. Follow these steps to get a newborn to sleep through the night.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Realize that for the first four months of life, a baby needs to eat at night. One way to get the maximum amount of sleep during this time is to sleep with your baby. Of course, both parents must agree on a co-sleeping arrangement in order for it to work.

Step2

Begin the Ferber method when your baby is between four and six months old. Establish a bedtime routine and follow it by putting your baby in her crib while she is still awake. She will probably cry, but you should not pick her up.

Step3

Wait five minutes and go in to check on the baby. Five minutes of a crying baby may seem a long time, so be sure to use a watch. When you go in, speak softly, touch and reassure her, but do not pick her up. Remain for just two minutes or so.

Step4

Return to him after another 10 minutes. Again, speak softly, touch and reassure him, but do not pick him up. Leave after a couple minutes.

Step5

Continue this pattern of reassuring visits, adding 5 more minutes between each visit, until your baby falls asleep. The following night, after putting the baby in her crib, wait 10 minutes before going in to reassure her.

Step6

Increase the amount of time your baby spends crying by 5 minutes each night before you go in and check on him.

Step7

Do this every time the baby wakes up at night too. Most parents will find that after five days of the Ferber method, their baby sleeps through the night. She'll realize that crying only gets her a brief visit from you.

Tips & Warnings

For this method to work, remember that putting a child to bed awake is a critical step.
Special circumstances, such as a sick or teething baby, mean you should suspend the training until baby is well again.