Top 6 Ways to Keep Your Baby Sleeping

A common grievance of many first-time parents is lack of sleep. While sleepless nights and puffy, darkened eyes may be a rite of passage for most new parents, there are several tips and tricks to keep your baby sleeping through the night. In a child's early months, sleeping six hours is considered "sleeping through the night," but by the end of their first year, most babies will sleep 10 to 12 hours a night. Developing good sleep habits early on can help to regulate your baby's sleep patterns and prevent future sleep problems as he grows older.

  1. White/Background Noise

    • The sound of rain or soft music on continuous repeat is a soothing approach that helps babies to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. After a few weeks, gradually lower the volume and move away from white noise after a few months.

    Don't Overreact

    • First-time parents often jump up to soothe their child after she makes any little noise. While they may think cuddling or singing softly will have a calming effect, it can actually disturb a baby's sleep. Babies often make noises during the night, but you will know when baby is actually in distress.

    Security Object

    • A security object, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, can be used to soothe your child to sleep. Throughout the day, keep the object near you so that it becomes scented like Mom or Dad. Babies tend to have a strong sense of smell. If they startle awake during the night, the object that smells like a parent can be as reassuring as the real thing and can help baby fall back to sleep.

    Keep Baby Active

    • Just as an active day can cause you to be more tired in the evening, increased stimulation throughout the day can help your baby sleep better at night. During the day, encourage activity, allow your baby to play, engage him by talking or singing, surround him with light and household noises. An active day usually means a peaceful night.

    Consistent Bedtime Routine

    • Establishing a bedtime routine early in your baby's life can help him to develop good sleeping habits. Keep your routine short, so you are sure to stick to it. Your routine may include a warm bath, dressing baby for bed and finishing by reading a story or playing bedtime music. If you choose to play music, try to play the same tunes each night before you lay baby down to rest. Try to begin your routine at the same time every night to establish consistency. It will take a few days for your baby to get the hang of it, but sticking to the routine will make bedtime easier as baby grows.

    Don't Overfeed

    • While you may think that feeding your baby a large meal right before bed will keep him from waking up hungry in the middle of the night, this approach actually has the opposite effect. Overfeeding can cause heartburn or make your baby uncomfortable and restless, making it more difficult for her to sleep through the night.

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