How to Put Your Baby to Bed

It is a struggle that every parent faces -- how, when and where to put your baby to bed. Sleep is essential to your baby̵7;s brain development, according to the National Sleep Foundation's website. As an infant, your baby will likely sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, according to experts with the American Academy of Pediatrics, so finding the right routine and making sure you are paying attention to the signals your baby shows is vital to establishing a good sleeping routine. Regular sleep cycles do not typically develop until 6 months old or older, but you should use the same methods to put your baby to bed regardless of whether it is for the night or a short nap.

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove blankets, stuffed animals, crib bumpers and other toys from your baby̵7;s bed. These items present a suffocation hazard, according to the AAP.

    • 2

      Watch for signs of tiredness in your baby -- this might include fussiness, eye rubbing, irritability or yawning.

    • 3

      Dress your baby in seasonally appropriate clothing with easy access for nighttime diaper changes. Sleepers, onesies with pants, footed pajamas and sleeping gowns are all ideal choices.

    • 4

      Choose where your baby will sleep. There is no one-size-fits-all sleep space for babies, according to the Dr. Sears website. You might find that a crib in his own room, a bassinet in a common area of the home or in a crib in your bedroom might work best for your baby.

    • 5

      Establish a bedtime routine and follow it closely each night. Your routine might include bath, book and some gentle rocking, depending on your baby̵7;s temperament. Keep the lights low, and speak in low tones to indicate to your baby that it is time to settle down.

    • 6

      Place your baby into bed, on his back, when she is drowsy but not asleep. This practice will help teach your baby to fall asleep on his own without needing to have you hold her, according to the National Sleep Foundation's site.

    • 7

      Place a monitor in the area where your baby is sleeping and keep the receiver with you. Do not run at every whimper, cry or sound of movement; instead, wait a moment or two to see if your baby will soothe himself back to sleep before intervening. If your baby continues to cry, check on him and handle feeding, diaper changes or soothing with the lights low and gentle tones.

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