One of the hardest things about being a new parent is getting your baby to sleep and making sure they stay asleep. Few parents find it simple or easy, but there are many things you can do to improve your chances of cracking the sleep issue sooner rather than later. Once that’s done, everything else will seem easy (even when it’s not). Read on for some useful tips about how to ensure your baby sleeps, and you’ll be well on your way to a good night’s rest.
Be Realistic
It’s important to remember that all babies are unique, and some sleep more than others. They all sleep during the day and at night, and when they are very young, they only sleep for a few hours at a time.
It’s normal for young babies to wake up every few hours at night to eat. It’s a part of how they grow and develop. So it’s normal and natural for you or your partner to wake up at night, too, so you can feed your baby and comfort them. Many babies wake up in the middle of the night for many months or start doing it all of a sudden, even when they aren’t hungry.
Knowing this and ensuring you are as prepared for it as possible is crucial. It will mean you don’t worry so much, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and you can enjoy the little moments much more.
Find The Right Bedtime
Many parents want to spend as much time with their babies as possible, so they keep them with them rather than putting them to bed with a lovely cashmere baby blanket. Sometimes this can’t be helped, but in most cases, it’s far better to say goodnight and put them to bed as soon as you notice they are getting tired. Signs of this include rubbing their eyes, yawning, and getting fussy. They might even start crying.
The problem is that if you keep them awake for too long, they’ll become ‘overtired’, and this can mean it’s even harder to settle them. Opt for a bedtime somewhere between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, and they’ll start to fall into a good routine.
Have A Bedtime Routine
To help with the idea above, it’s a good idea to develop a bedtime routine. A consistent and simple bedtime routine will signal to your baby that it is almost time for sleep. This may help to avoid problems in the future. It’s also a great way for you and your partner to spend time with your baby alone.
As far as possible, make the routine something you do at the same time every day. Your baby’s sleep will improve the longer you keep to the schedule, so the more consistent you can be, the better. That includes sticking to the pattern even if you have to leave your child with a cousin or friend while you go on a trip or your child is sick. This is the hard part, but once your baby is sleeping through the night (or close to it), you’ll realise that it is the best thing to do.
