Things You'll Need:
- Schedule based on your childs age
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Step 1
Determine based on the age of your child how long he or she should sleep. For example if you are starting when your child is six months old you will want them napping three times a day, and on a four hour schedule. Set your schedule, put it in witting if this helps you stick to it.
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Step 2
When your baby wakes up on morning one, start a routine, change him or her, feed him or her, play with them, and then quiet time. The key is to give them a bottle prior to nap time while they are wide awake, do not rock them to sleep or let them nurse/feed till they go to sleep. Once you are ready to put them in bed, lay them flat in their bed awake. They can be tired, but should be awake.
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Step 3
If he or she cries go to them pick them up and comfort them, provide them with some comfort items, a soft blanket, or favorite toy, the idea is to teach them to self sooth them selves to sleep.
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Step 4
Allow the baby to play him or her self to sleep. When she or he does wake up do not go in their room right away, that is unless they are crying. Let them play in their room for five to ten minutes. The idea is to teach them that they can play in their beds for a while, it is okay.
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Step 5
Always put them down for nap and bed time at the same time every day, follow the same schedule and routine at nap and bed time no matter what. If you stick to a schedule and routine you will find that your child is falling asleep faster and when it comes time to taking away the bottle or moving to big girl big boy bed you will not have as many battles.
