Sleep Prayers for a Baby

Soothe Your Child

• Your baby may not understand a prayer̵7;s words, but she recognizes your voice as well as the tone. If you want to settle her down to sleep, recite a soothing prayer. The words aren̵7;t as important as the cadence. You can also use short poems as prayers. For example, in his 2005 book ̶0;Bedtime Prayers for the Family,̶1; author Thomas Nelson cites Victor Hugo̵7;s poem ̶0;Goodnight.̶1; The poem reads: ̶0;Good Night! Good Night! / Far flies the light; / But still God̵7;s love / Shall flame above, / Making all bright. / Good night! Good night!̶1;

Establish a Routine

• If your baby is agitated at bedtime or isn̵7;t sleeping through the night, an erratic day may be the cause. Babies thrive on routine and are reassured by predictable activities. By saying sleep prayers to your baby on a regular basis, it can help to reestablish a routine in your baby̵7;s mind and calm her. For example, the traditional prayer ̶0;Now I Lay Me Down̶1; for babies can become part of nighttime ritual. It reads: ̶0;Now I lay me down to sleep / I pray you, Lord, my soul to keep. / If I should die before I wake, / I pray You, Lord, my soul to take.̶1;

Alleviate Anxiety

• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the primary causes of infant mortality. About 2,500 babies die of SIDS annually in the U.S., according to ̶0;Broadribb̵7;s Introduction Pediatric Nursing̶1; by Nancy Hatfield. When it strikes, it̵7;s quick, silent and unexpected. Sleep prayers can calm not only the baby but also a mother who has anxiety about SIDS and her baby̵7;s safety. According to Jennifer Polimino and Carolyn Warren̵7;s 2001 book ̶0;Praying Through Your Pregnancy,̶1; add a few lines to your sleep prayer such as ̶0;I pray for safety while my baby sleeps. / Protect her from SIDS or any other harm. / Let your angels watch over her all through the night -- and the daytime too.̶1;

Consider Your Culture

• Different cultures have their own traditional sleep prayers for a baby. The popular ̶0;Now I Lay Me Down̶1; comes from a Christian tradition and may not suit your cultural heritage or tastes. For example, if you̵7;re Jewish, you may want to petition God to sprinkle your baby with a ̶0;sukkah of piece,̶1; according to Sandy Falk̵7;s 2004 book ̶0;The Jewish Pregnancy Book: A Resource for the Soul, Body & Mind during Pregnancy, Birth & the First Three Months.̶1;