One of the best feelings in the world is becoming a new parent and getting to start your family with a newborn. Everything will change the moment that you get to see your baby for the very first time. The joy that you will experience after becoming a parent is one of the highest, but parenting ends up being full of challenges that most do not expert. One of the biggest challenges that many parents face is figuring out how to get their baby to sleep easier and, in turn, getting yourself enough sleep. Do not expect this to be easy. It can take a bit of time to get a newborn sleep schedule that not only works for you but your baby as well.
Sleep is essential for your baby’s growth, so you must make sure that your newborn can complete plenty of hours of sleep each day. If you want to have the best sleep pattern possible, you should take advice from experienced parents and find out the best ways to get your baby to sleep easier. You will get plenty of advice on how you can get your infant to sleep through the night, but picking what is best for your baby and what works for you is also essential. If you are a parent dealing with having trouble getting your baby to sleep easier, try out these tips and see if you notice a difference in how your infant sleeps.
Tips for Getting Your Baby to Sleep Easier
Swaddling Your Baby
Until they are about 5 to 6 months old, infants have a reflex called the startle reflex that makes them feel like they are falling. Babies awaken crying or irritated as a result of this sensation. You can prevent this from happening by swaddling your baby tightly. In addition, it makes your baby more comfortable and safer. Swaddling gives your baby the feeling that she is still in your womb, protected from all external factors. Swaddling your baby with a soft, comfortable swaddle will prevent any sleep sensations from hindering her restful sleep.
Dream Feeding Your Baby
If you have never heard of dream feeding, then you are missing out. Dream feeding is when you feed your baby right before you go to sleep. If you feed your baby right before you go to bed, you create a practice that helps you and your baby get plenty of sleep through the night. There are times when babies will wake up in the middle of the night and are feeling hungry. However, if you feed your baby right before you go to bed, then both of you are going to sleep comfortably and feel refreshed in the morning. Not to mention that this helps your baby to learn to sleep through the night without any interruptions.
Bedtime Routine for Your Baby
Since your baby is new to this world, and they do not know when it is time to get up and when it is time to sleep. It is up to you to help them learn this routine by repeating the same activities and in an order that helps your baby. For instance, you can make a chart that includes all of the activities for your baby so that you know what to do next. This tends to work for most parents as the behavior of your baby becomes much more predictable.
Use Soothing Music for Your Baby
Many parents enjoy telling bedtime stories or singing songs to their newborns as it can soothe their minds and help them sleep. Music is an excellent and effective remedy to help calm your baby down and make them feel like sleeping. Not to mention all of the other benefits that music has. You can pick any relaxing and soothing music so that it will not excite your baby and allow them to feel relaxed.
Sticking to the Eat-Wake-Sleep Rhythm for Your Baby
One of the biggest and most popular cycles for your baby is the Eat-Wake-Sleep cycle. The cycle will start as the day begins, and then it goes on. A full baby can sleep much easier and will be less likely to be disturbed. If you want your baby to fall asleep easier, try doing this.
Avoid Excitement for Your Baby
Babies can be easily distracted. One moment they could be feeling drowsy, and then a second later, they are wide awake. Everything that is around them is new. Your baby could get excited about everything that is around them. It could be a new toy, your clothes, a bright color or an animal. You should make sure that you are keeping things around your baby normal and less exciting when it is time to go to bed so that your infant will be much calmer.
Let Your Baby Sleep After Becoming Drowsy
There are times when you want to stay with your baby until they are fully asleep. It is one of the practices that could make your baby need you to go to sleep. So, once you notice that your baby is starting to feel sleepy, then lay them down in their bed and let them sleep alone. It is excellent for sleep habits as you will not be needed each time they go to sleep.
Lower the Temp for Your Baby
It has been proven that everyone sleeps better in a cool room, and that includes infants. It would help if you aimed to keep your thermostat between 68 degrees and 72 degrees. That should help to provide your baby with the most comfortable sleep. If your infant has chilly fingers, then that is normal. If you need reassurance, place your hand on their chest, and if it is warm, then your infant is warm enough.
Conclusion
Sleep is essential for your baby and its development. Your life will be full of great moments that you will always want to remember. Being able to watch your baby grow is one of the most amazing feelings. It may take a bit of time to figure out how you can get your baby to sleep because you will need to get a feel for yourself and your baby and what will work best.
