Sleep Tips for Babies

by Dani Hamblett

Implement a bedtime routine and time.

For example: taking a bath, putting pajamas on and reading a story, so that your child knows what to expect each night.

Be persistent.

If you try to put baby in his own crib and it doesn’t work out the first night, don’t just assume you’ve failed, try again the next night.

Put your baby down awake.

Put your baby down to sleep when she is drowsy, but not fully asleep, so she learns to fall asleep without the assistance of mom or dad.

Be flexible.

If one method of getting baby to sleep is not working, try something else. Keep in mind that all babies have different temperaments, so what works for a friend may not be best for you.

See Also

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Maintain the mood.

Save stimulating activities for daytime – a middle of the night diaper change is not the time to introduce baby to a new toy if you want him to fall back to sleep. This will help baby distinguish between day, which is for learning and play, and night, which is for low lighting, hushed tones, and (hopefully) snoozing.