“Sleep ’til you’re hungry, eat ’til you’re sleepy.”
—author unknown
Begin your quest for your baby’s sleep solution by discussing your concerns with your baby’s doctor. She will check to see if there are any medical reasons causing the problem and, if so, begin treatment. Once medical issues have been ruled out, you can move on to find a tip or method that works for you. Here are some general suggestions I gathered from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Safety Council, La Leche League, professional sleep consultants, and child developmentalists to get you started. Their medically researched recommendations are basics you can trust, and you’ll always be glad you have them at the ready.
There’s evidence that breast milk contains serotonins, which naturally relax Baby and help get him to sleep, so simply breast-feeding may help him doze off.
Put your baby on a regular schedule for naps and bedtime, so her body is trained to anticipate sleep on cue.
Babies are sometimes fussy after their immunizations. With your doctor’s permission, you can give her a minimal dose of Infants’ Tylenol.
An irritated bottom can keep your baby from sleeping. At the first sign of diaper rash (redness), use a medication like Desenex to clear it up.
Watch for signs your baby is tired—such as yawning, rubbing eyes, whining, or getting cranky—and then put your baby to bed before he becomes overtired.
So baby doesn’t want to go to sleep—but is she betraying her own exhaustion? Check for these telltale signs of sleepiness before pushing for a nap.
1. Rubbing eyes
2. Yawning
3. Fussing, whining
4. Lying down
5. Slowing down
6. Slow blinking
7. Glazed look
NOTE: These can also be signs of illness, so check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
While parents are often reluctant to give up on Baby’s nap, some babies just don’t need the extra sleep anymore. Omitting an unnecessary nap may help Baby sleep better at night.
Some babies sleep better at night if they have a good nap in the daytime. And if they miss it, they may be overtired and have trouble sleeping during the night.
Make sure the room is conducive to sleep, with closed blinds, a comfy crib, cozy “loveys,” and a quiet atmosphere. This helps your baby know it’s nap time.
Unless your baby is crying hysterically, don’t respond every time she calls out. She may learn to go to sleep on her own.
Swaddling your baby—wrapping him snugly in a swaddling blanket or a swaddler—makes him feel more secure, which can calm down a fussy baby. Swaddling also keeps your baby warm and prevents him from startling awake.
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks if you’re breast-feeding. These drinks go through to your breast milk and not only affect your baby, but they may also cause restless sleep.
Some babies refuse to take a pacifier, but others seem to need one to sleep. Let your baby suck her thumb or a pacifier to help soothe her.
Make sure your baby’s room is comfortable—not too cool, not too warm—when the door is open or closed.
Gently rouse your baby in the morning if he sleeps late. Your baby’s body clock may be off, so waking him earlier may encourage better, not longer, sleep.
Buy a comfortable bed for your baby, with a soft but firm and supportive mattress pad. If you line the mattress with plastic to keep it dry, make sure you add an extra pad over the lining for comfort.
When your baby is awake during the day, spend some time playing together to help burn up energy, so she will sleep better at night. Try a game of peekaboo, bicycle legs (rotating baby’s legs as if she’s peddling a bicycle), or “I’m gonna get you!”
Perform the same ritual each time you put your baby down for a nap. For example, give your baby a bath, sing a song, rock your baby, and then put him down. Soon he will associate this pattern with sleep—and when you start the first steps, he will already be ready for what lies ahead.
Give your baby a chance to wind down by stopping vigorous activity fifteen to twenty minutes before you want her to fall asleep. Switch to quiet activities, such as singing to, bathing, or rocking her.
Some babies wake up in the night, wiggle and squirm and make noise, then miraculously return to sleep. So don’t react too quickly —give your baby a chance to settle down on his own.
When your baby awakens in the middle of the night for a feeding, keep the lights dim, and use a soft voice and slow movements, so your baby will not be roused during nursing.
Sometimes you just need to adjust your routine to fit your baby’s needs, simply to make life easier for everyone.
