How can I get my baby to sleep ?
New mothers and experienced ones alike encounter problems of getting their baby to sleep. While there are different soothing methods that friends may advise, each baby is unique – that is, they may not respond to the technique your friends are using. The most likely cause for not wanting to sleep is discomfort: your baby might want to burp or he or she may be suffering from colic. As in all human beings, babies cannot sleep if they are experiencing discomfort of any kind.
When bedtime approaches, make sure that your baby has all that he or she needs. Your baby should already be fed, burped, and had his or her diaper changed. Swaddling may also be effective; your baby might have missed the snugness of being in the womb, and may sleep better if he or she can feel that once again.
Young infants usually don’t have much trouble falling asleep quickly. As long as the baby’s basic needs were met, there is no need for additional soothing techniques such as patting, singing, or rocking. When your baby is a bit older, you may want to explore different methods to make your baby fall asleep quicker.
Numerous studies have suggested that one way to get your baby to sleep comfortably is to sleep beside him or her. If you’re hesitant about letting your baby sleep on your bed for fear of rolling over the baby, you can choose to place the crib beside your bed for the baby to hear your breathing. Rocking, singing, walking around, and even taking him or her for a drive will help your baby get to sleep quicker. The sound of your heartbeat is comforting to your baby as well, so keep him or her close to your chest so that your baby can be lulled to sleep.
If all else fails, consult your pediatrician about possible illnesses. Your baby’s restlessness may be his or her way of telling you that he or she is feeling sick.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree. You’ve given a very simplistic approach to what most parents find absolutely, heart wrenchingly difficult.
Most babies go through a stage where they have difficulty getting to sleep. Parents need to be realistic that it’s normal for babies to wake at night, and most are. The problem is getting the baby back to sleep.
Saying “Young infants usually don’t have much trouble falling asleep quickly. As long as the baby’s basic needs were met, there is no need for additional soothing techniques such as patting, singing, or rocking” is just laughable. If all you had to do to get a baby to sleep is meet their “basic needs” then there must be millions of parents out there who are failing this big time.
It’s not true and it’s not fair to say something like that.
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