5 Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Better at Night
Is your baby having trouble sleeping through the night? If so, then it has probably taken a toll on your sleeping habits, too - and on your health. While sleepless nights aren't exactly unexpected territory, especially for new parents, there are ways to help your baby sleep better at night.
Try to create a calming atmosphere at night.
Babies usually sleep a lot, but the thing is: they don't have a consistent sleeping schedule. They sleep for as long as they need to and then wake up at random hours - sometimes in the middle of the night when you're hoping to get some much-needed shuteye. To avoid this, make it a point to create a more calming atmosphere at night. If you overstimulate your baby in the evening, they might have trouble distinguishing that nighttime is bedtime.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't shower your baby with attention, though. It's okay to cuddle them, sing to them, and read to them; but try doing so in a calmer manner. Sing softly, read in a quieter voice, and keep other noises to a minimum. Try keeping them in a softly lit room during later hours, too.
Let your baby calm down on their own.
A lot of parents coddle their babies at night, especially when they can't fall asleep. They will carry them, rock them, and try to soothe them in different ways. However, it might be best to just let your baby fuss and cry a little as they try to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Of course, you should still check on them and there's nothing wrong with comforting them a little, either. However, you should also consider just leaving the room so your baby learns how to fall asleep alone.
Put your baby down before they are fully asleep.
Some parents have come to find that it's better to put babies down before they are completely asleep. This will help them associate drowsiness and their bed with sleeping.
Consider using a pacifier.
Pacifiers can be a huge help in putting babies to sleep. While some parents don't want to rely on pacifiers for fear that their babies will become too dependent on them, you may want to consider using one on nights when nothing else seems to be work. Additionally, having your baby use a pacifier during sleep may also reduce their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Invest in Zen Wear.
In today's day and age, there are many types of clothing that can help babies sleep better, too. Nested Bean, for one, offers sleepwear for babies that have been gently weighted to feel like they're sleeping in your arms. They are said to help reduce fussiness, improve sleep, and even promote your baby's health.
How Does It Work?
1. Your touch will trigger the sleepwear's Cuddle Effect, which aims to soothe your baby to sleep.
2. The light pads of the sleepwear will put a gentle pressure of touch as your baby sleeps, which feels like a hug to them.
3. Your baby will sleep better within a few nights. They will fall asleep faster, get longer sleep, get healthier sleep, and rest more peacefully, in general.
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