Things You'll Need:
- Baby Bathtubs
- Baby Monitors
- Diapers
- Soothing Music
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Step 1
Understand that all babies have different sleep habits and that getting the family to coordinate shut-eye could be a years-long endeavor.
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Step 2
Cry bitterly about this reality, then pull yourself together. Remember, you are not alone. Helping your baby sleep through the night requires trial and error.
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Step 3
Establish bedtime and naptime routines early on. Stick with the schedule, and avoid letting your baby sleep more than a few hours during the day.
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Step 4
Create a bedtime routine. Feed your baby, then help him relax with soft music, a warm bath, reading or singing, and cuddling, rocking or calm stroking.
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Step 5
Change your baby's diaper before setting him down for the night.
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Step 6
Place your baby on his back. Pediatricians recommend this as one way to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Step 7
Turn off the lights and leave so your baby can learn how to fall asleep on his own.
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Step 8
Consider waiting a moment or two before rushing to your baby's side if he starts whimpering in the crib after you've set him down.
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Step 9
Rub your baby's tummy, shoulders and arms if he begins to cry.
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Step 10
Consider the Ferber method: soothe your child only with your voice and gradually increase the amount of time you wait before checking up on your baby. The goal is to get your youngster used to falling asleep on his own.
Comments
cherish2009 said
on 7/8/2009 i have the same problem as mamagreenwood except i am bottle feeding. my child is 9months old, i can get her to sleep by giving her a bath then a bottle but then she wakes and cries because of wind, but then is awake most of the night. my husband is in the navy so is away months at a time and i am struggling to find a way to get her into a routine. can ayone help?
venusa said
on 2/1/2009 Mamagreengood, I have a couple of theories, could it be that you are missing his "tired" window and you are letting him go overtired? Overtiredness causes a baby to stay awake longer, be very watchful about the time when he starts showing signs of tiredness, such as pulling ears, first yawn, becoming more silent or less interest on stuff. I was also going to suggest that maybe you can try swaddling your baby? 8 months is not necessarily "too old" to swaddle, but swaddling does restrain the baby from moving his arms and hitting himself and waking himself up. I would suggest swaddle and keep giving the breast, also make sure you quite down activities right before his bedtime. And don't forget morning naps, make sure he is taking them, otherwise going to sleep at night won't be pleasant. Let me know if you want me to clarify something more extensively.
MamaGreenwood said
on 1/31/2008 I have tried everything to get my 8 month old on some sort of a nap and sleep routine but he's been completely unresponsive. If I try to let him "cry it out", he'll cry two hours straight. If I try to sit nearby and soothe him without taking him out of the crib, he stands himself up and bounces holding on to the side of the crib, talking and laughing. Even if he's tired, even with low lights, white noise, soothing lullabies, no noise, nightlights, baths, books, whatever. He just won't go to sleep when I try to put him down. The only time he'll go down is on my breast, and with his teeth coming in and fear of tooth decay I know Now is the time to wean him of that. The question is how... His dad works 12 hr days and isn't around for his sleep routines, and so its just me and I am getting nowhere. Help! Please, I am begging...
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you have a swimming pool, let the baby swim in a float for a while before bed and they will drift right off to sleep.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 According to Richard Ferber, M.D., author of "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems," babies at one month should sleep a total of 15.5 hours (8.5 hours at night); at 18 months, a total of 13.5 hours; at 2 years, 13 hours; at 4 years 11.5 hours with no naps.