How to Get a Baby to Sleep

By eHow Parenting Editor

Rate: (9 Ratings)

You just put her down for a nap, and now she's awake and crying again. You could let her cry it out, or try these ideas to get her back to sleep.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

  • Baby Slings
  • Baby Bathtubs
  • Baby Blankets
  • Baby Bouncers
  • Baby Monitors
  • Baby Swings
  • Strollers
  • Fans
  • Night Lights
  • Jazz CDs

Step1
Rock your baby. Most babies enjoy rocking and cuddling as part of their bedtime routine.
Step2
Nurse your baby. Babies love to fall asleep while breast-feeding; in fact, sometimes it's hard to keep them awake long enough to finish a meal. But don't let this become such a habit that your baby will never sleep without nursing first.
Step3
Swing your baby. Mechanical swings or rocking cradles can calm fussy babies and help them drift off to sleep.
Step4
Swaddle your infant. Many newborns enjoy the feeling of being snugly wrapped - though others don't enjoy being swaddled.
Step5
Dance with your baby. A good lullaby or smooth jazz CD, a dark room and a slow dance often send a baby to sleep.
Step6
Bathe your baby. A warm bath about an hour before going to bed is a great way to relax your baby and help her sleep.
Step7
Go for a drive or walk. Many babies who resist falling asleep in a crib or bed will happily drift off in a car seat in a moving vehicle, in a sling or frontpack, or in a stroller or carriage.
Step8
Read, talk and sing to your baby. Even if she's too young to understand the words, the gentle rhythms of your voice may help her get to sleep.
Step9
Turn on a fan or other source of white noise. The steady buzz of a fan, or even the static from a baby monitor with the transmitter turned off, can help a baby tune out other sounds.
Step10
Do laundry. The gentle vibration and white noise of a laundry room often help a baby get to sleep. Some desperate parents even put the baby in her car seat on top of the dryer.
Step11
Develop a routine. Mealtime, bath time, cuddle time and story time will naturally lead to bedtime once your baby gets used to the pattern.

Tips & Warnings

  • Some babies are night owls by nature. If your baby is like this, don't worry about enforcing a 6 p.m. bedtime. If she falls asleep at 9 or 10 p.m., she may sleep later in the mornings, giving you time to yourself at the start of the day.
  • Get opaque blinds for the room where your baby will sleep. This will help keep the room dark for naps and ensure that your baby doesn't always get up with the sun.
  • Avoid leaving your baby in a swing for too long; extended periods of sitting upright can hinder spinal development in young babies.

Comments

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on 7/19/2008 oh, so nice discussion,how about enjoying something new? it will be very crazy to check *****m u l t i r a c i a l l o v e.c o m****. may be i need to check how really it goes...

tubsned said

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on 9/24/2007 hmmm - well, I've 'trained' a lot of babies to sleep. rocking, driving, dancing, all these techniques just prolong their ability to get there on their own. You need to pay attention to the signals that they are alseep, get them on a schedule, and they will sleep when you put them in their bed - for a good refreshing nap too!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Steps:
1. put the baby in the cib on their stomach
2. rub their back
3. pat their back with quick and fast rythmic blows

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 If your baby is colicky, please be sure that your spouse, child care provider, relatives, or anyone who is helping care for your child, are aware of the dangers of shaking young children.
Crying is the most frequently cited cause for injuries inflicted on infants. Every parent knows how frustrating prolonged crying can be. Leaving an inconsolable child with an inexperienced caregiver can result in a tragedy. Make sure your caregiver knows the danger, knows about colic, has prepared a coping plan, and knows you are relying on them to call you when they feel they might be "losing it." Never assume they know the danger.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 Feeding a baby to sleep is bad for his teeth. Wipe gums and teeth off before settling baby into bed. Also, once a baby can roll onto it's stomach, the risk of SIDS diminishes, but always attempt to have them sleep on their back.

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eHow Article:  How to Get a Baby to Sleep

eHow Parenting Editor

eHow Parenting Editor

Category: Parenting

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