How to Get a Baby to Self-Soothe to Sleep

A baby that can self-soothe provides its parent with a night of restful sleep without having to get up several times during the night to put the baby back to sleep. The trick to getting your baby to self-soothe is to always lay her down when she is drowsy, but not asleep yet. If she is rocked or nursed until she falls asleep, then she will come to expect that routine before falling asleep. Children do well when following a routine.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold your baby at least three hours during the day. A baby that has had a calm daytime routine will be more mellow at night.

    • 2

      Put your baby down to sleep at consistent times every day. Once he gets into a routine, he will come to expect certain activities during specific times during the day.

    • 3

      Feed the baby every three hours during the day. This will make sure he gets adequate nutrition intake during daytime hours and should be less likely to want to snack at night.

    • 4

      Give your baby a bath each night before her bedtime feeding. She will soon learn to expect a bath, feeding, then bedtime and will be more willing to go to sleep.

    • 5

      If your baby doesn't seem sleepy when you are ready to put him in bed, try one of a few methods of mellowing him out a little and making him sleepy. You can rock with him, walk him around, put him in a baby swing, take him for a ride in the car or recline with him on your chest, and his head under your neck. Don't let him completely fall asleep, this is just to get him sleepy.

    • 6

      Put your baby to bed in the crib when she is getting tired, but isn't asleep yet. If you always rock or nurse a baby to fall asleep, she might not learn to self-soothe.

    • 7

      Place stuffed animals or a special blanket in the crib with him when you put him to sleep. He will start to associate this special item with sleep and will use it to self-soothe.

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