The most common concern of new parents is without a doubt: How do I get my child to sleep through the night. For first time parents, things are not easy and it takes a while to get used to having a baby who needs to be looked after practically around the clock. It’s exhausting, to say the least. And we all dream of going to bed and sleeping through the night to get our well-deserved rest. It’s just that in the first year of your baby’s life it is difficult to sleep through the night.
Of course, it always depends on the baby and parents and many other factors. There is no one size fits all when it comes to this, but there are certainly some tried and tested methods that can help your baby sleep through earlier. Are you ready to find out what you can do to find peace of mind? Let’s go, let’s get started!
1. Make sure your baby understands the difference between day and night
With they’re so small and sleeping most of the time, you might be tempted to repeat the same routines no matter what time. You change diapers, feed, cuddle, sleep in the living room or children’s room – wherever it is more convenient for you. And that’s perfectly fine because comfort is what you should strive for in the first few months (maybe the first year!) After getting out of the hospital.
However, once you’ve decided that the baby can and should sleep through the night, make sure that they understand the difference between day and night. You can have them take a nap in the living room or in their room every day but without reducing the noise or activity in the house, while you can set up a whole routine for their evening sleep.
2. Fix a bedtime
As we said earlier, getting your baby ready for bed in the evening can be half the battle. The routine is best way to show your baby that it is time to sleep. There aren’t any strict rules to set up this routine, and every family is different here. You can give your baby a bath, then maybe a relaxing massage with some baby lotion or oil and a song or story before putting them in their crib.
You can do all of this before bed, or just part of it. The main idea here is that you are consistent. If your sleep routine includes singing a song, do it every night so the baby gets used to it. Repetition is the mother of all good habits! Trust it! You should set a fixed time and stick to it no matter what. 8 p.m. sounds like a good time to go to bed for a baby. And if you get it to bed this early, you’ll have a few hours left to attend to other chores or have a glass of wine (or two!).
3. No educational toys or screens for at least 2 hours from bed
Your baby needs to relax a little before bed. This means that it is important to avoid all possible stimuli that can get it excited. So if you haven’t had all day to play, it is not the best idea to start playing right before bed.
Better to sit together on the couch and cuddle. Screens like TVs or laptops before bed can be a real problem even for adults. It affects the quality of sleep. So avoid doing it a few hours before bed.
4. Avoid making the baby too tired
Most of us believe that the more tired we are, the more likely we are to sleep well. But reality contradicts this popular belief. What if your baby is too tired, not getting enough sleep, or the quality of sleep is poor.
This is the reason why napping is very important during the day. So don’t take it off the program if you want your baby to sleep through the night.
5. Don’t be too talkative just before bed
During the day, you can make whatever sounds you want when you’re around the baby. In the evening, however, you should be calmer and quieter. This should help your baby relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Imagine, as you prepare your baby for bed, like yourself after a long day at work: all you need is some rest, a hug, and a kiss. The same goes for your baby!
6. Don’t let them sleep with lights on
Most children do not like to sleep in complete darkness. If you find that your child does too, turn on a dim light before you go to bed each night.
Miracles don’t happen overnight. You probably already know that! So don’t expect a miracle when it comes to getting your baby used to sleep through the night. Be sure it will happen in due course and you just have to be patient and follow the routine that has been set. So, good luck and good night!