How to Get a Baby to Sleep

You just put her down for a nap, and now she's awake and crying again. You could let her cry it out, or try these ideas to get her back to sleep.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby Slings
  • Baby Bathtubs
  • Baby Blankets
  • Baby Bouncers
  • Baby Monitors
  • Baby Swings
  • Strollers
  • Fans
  • Night Lights
  • Jazz CDs

Instructions

    • 1

      Rock your baby. Most babies enjoy rocking and cuddling as part of their bedtime routine.

    • 2

      Nurse your baby. Babies love to fall asleep while breast-feeding; in fact, sometimes it's hard to keep them awake long enough to finish a meal. But don't let this become such a habit that your baby will never sleep without nursing first.

    • 3

      Swing your baby. Mechanical swings or rocking cradles can calm fussy babies and help them drift off to sleep.

    • 4

      Swaddle your infant. Many newborns enjoy the feeling of being snugly wrapped - though others don't enjoy being swaddled.

    • 5

      Dance with your baby. A good lullaby or smooth jazz CD, a dark room and a slow dance often send a baby to sleep.

    • 6

      Bathe your baby. A warm bath about an hour before going to bed is a great way to relax your baby and help her sleep.

    • 7

      Go for a drive or walk. Many babies who resist falling asleep in a crib or bed will happily drift off in a car seat in a moving vehicle, in a sling or frontpack, or in a stroller or carriage.

    • 8

      Read, talk and sing to your baby. Even if she's too young to understand the words, the gentle rhythms of your voice may help her get to sleep.

    • 9

      Turn on a fan or other source of white noise. The steady buzz of a fan, or even the static from a baby monitor with the transmitter turned off, can help a baby tune out other sounds.

    • 10

      Do laundry. The gentle vibration and white noise of a laundry room often help a baby get to sleep. Some desperate parents even put the baby in her car seat on top of the dryer.

    • 11

      Develop a routine. Mealtime, bath time, cuddle time and story time will naturally lead to bedtime once your baby gets used to the pattern.

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