How to Teach a Baby to Fall Asleep Without Using Crying Methods
How you teach your baby to fall asleep is a controversial topic that is highly contested among parents. Many parents feel that the only way to teach a baby to fall asleep on their own is to allow them to cry themselves to sleep when they reach a certain age. Other parents feel that not only does this not work, it only makes them feel worse as well as making their child needy as soon as they pick him up. There are other, more gentle, approaches besides the crying method that can work.
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Instructions
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Establish a bedtime routine early on. According to author Elizabeth Pantley, children and babies need a bedtime routine because it helps them to prepare for sleep. A bedtime routine can help your child wind down and relax before bed. About 1 or 2 hours before bedtime, dim all the lights in the house or turn off certain lights. Turn off the TV and do quiet activities like playing quietly or reading a story.
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Whether you co-sleep with your child or he or she has his own room, you will need to create a peaceful environment. Paint the walls soft colors like light blue, pink or purple. Be sure that the temperature is not too hot or too cold. Most children and babies sleep well in a home that is 74 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening. Dress your baby in comfortable sleepers, preferably 100 percent cotton. Synthetic fabrics can cause some babies to itch.
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Dr. William Sears says to make sure that your baby has plenty to eat and drink during the day. If your child is breastfeeding, nurse as often as needed and be sure that the baby is producing plenty of wet diapers. If the baby’s urine is constantly bright yellow, she may be dehydrated, which can affect sleep patterns. As your baby gets older, you will gradually be able to introduce solid foods.
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Nurse or bottle-feed your baby until she is sleepy but not totally asleep. It is important not to nurse or bottle-feed your baby to sleep. This takes practice but will help to teach your baby how to drift off into a peaceful sleep. Put the baby in her bed very gently. At first your baby will most likely wake up right away, so you will typically need to do this several times. Every baby is different.
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Teaching your baby to fall asleep on her own without using crying methods can take time, so be patient. Some babies are able to learn how to do this rather quickly; others need more time.
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Tips & Warnings
As your child moves from being a baby to a toddler, the bedtime routine will need to change to incorporate brushing teeth or other quiet activities.
Talk to your doctor if your baby has colic, or if she is constantly spitting up. Some babies have reflux, which can make it hard for them to fall asleep. These babies may need to sleep in a special bed on an incline in order to be comfortable. Dr. William Sears recommends a product called the Baby Amby for this particular condition.
Certain foods have natural ingredients that help children to fall asleep. Mashed bananas and warm milk seem to have an effect. Never experiment with these foods until your baby is older and has already adjusted to solid foods.
If your baby likes to always be close to you, help her think you're still there while she sleeps. Simply put a shirt that you wore all day in the crib or bed as an extra blanket. Your child is familiar with your particular scent, and usually your scent will stay fresh on your clothing for at least two days.
If you are consistent, you will get results and create a stable, healthy environment for your child.
