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Step 1
Decide if Your Baby Should Even be on a Schedule Yet.
While every parent would love to have their child on a perfect sleep schedule right from the start, the truth is it might be difficult if your child is younger than 2 months old. This is a time when babies are adjusting from being out of the womb and your attempts to over schedule them might possibly do more harm than good. At this point they are following their bodies instincts and if their body is craving sleep or nourishment at different times than a strict schedule warrants, it is better to follow those instincts to ensure proper weight gain and brain development. During this time period, baby knows best. -
Step 2
Follow Their Lead
At about three months to four months old, most babies will start to fall into their own rhythm and it is best to try to make a schedule based on that natural rhythm instead of coming up with one on your own. This will make it easier on both parent and baby. For example, if you want to try and get your little one down for a nap at 10:00 am, but baby usually doesn't get sleepy until 11:00am, this would just be a fruitless hour of restless baby and cranky parent. If at all possible, try to build a schedule around your childs' natural cycles. -
Step 3
Keep a Journal
There is no better way to work out a sleep schedule than keeping a journal. Every day, for at least a couple of weeks, keep track of everything your baby does. When they start to get tired, how long they sleep and when they usually wake due to hunger. This will give you a very clear idea on how to set a schedule for yourselves and other caretakers. -
Step 4
Keep Them Active When They Are Awake
Keeping a baby active and stimulated during the day can lead to better sleep at night. When your baby is awake, engage them by talking, singing, and playing with them. Keep them in well lit rooms surrounded by normal everyday noises. If it is nice outside, a walk in the fresh air can help as well. -
Step 5
Monitor Their Naps
While longer naps may seem like a relief and the perfect opportunity for you to get more things done, naps that last too long give can make it harder for your baby to sleep through the night. So if you find your baby likes to take long naps in the afternoon, gradually try to wake them a little earlier until you find the perfect amount of time of sleep where baby will feel refreshed, yet also nice and tired at bedtime. -
Step 6
Be Consist With a Bedtime Routine
Creating a peaceful bedtime routine and being sure to follow it is another great way to get baby to settle down easier. Try soothing your baby in a nice warm bath, cuddling, singing gently or reading quietly. If you have soft baby music in the room, try and play the same song so baby will start to associate this routine as quiet, settling-in time. By doing these things consistently at the same time every evening, hopefully your baby should be on schedule in no time. -
Step 7
Try Putting Your Baby to Sleep When They Start to Get Drowsy
It is better to try and put your baby to sleep while they are still awake, but drowsy. The sooner you start to do this, the faster they will get used to falling asleep in their own crib and will put up less of a fuss at other times when you try to get them to sleep on a more solid schedule. -
Step 8
Keep Middle of the Night Interaction as Low Key as Possible.
If your baby wakes in the middle of the night due to hunger or a diaper change, keep this time as un-stimulating as possible. Keep talking down to a minimum and in a very quiet tone, and keep the lights as low as possible. This way, hopefully baby will not fully wake and be able to go right back to sleep when the deed is done. -
Step 9
Do Your Best To keep Your Baby in the Crib
As tempting as it might be to want to bring your little one into your bed you so you can get back to sleep faster, there are two reasons why you should do your best not to. First, bed sharing might increase the risk of SIDS and secondly, it will make it that much harder to get baby to sleep in their own crib in the future.
