How to Improve Your Baby’s Sleep
Is your baby keeping you up at night? Getting your little one to sleep through the night on their own is one of the biggest hurdles for new parents, but with some trial and error and these suggestions, you can conquer it and help you and your baby get the rest you need.
What causes babies to have trouble sleeping? There can be many sources of poor sleep for a baby and it can take some time to determine what’s keeping your child up at night. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Hunger or Thirst — If a child is fed right before bed, chances are they’ll wake up in the middle of the night wanting more.
- Indigestion — A tummy ache or heartburn can be caused as much by what your child is eating as when.
- Overexcited — Playing with your baby before bedtime may be amping them up and they also will want to spend more time enjoying the fun.
- Physical Discomfort — Their clothing, the temperature or their linens can impact their ability to fall asleep.
- Sickness — A cough or cold will keep your little awake and wanting to be close to you.
All of these issues are normal and to be expected. Thankfully, there are many ways to try and correct them so you can both begin sleeping through the night. These are the six methods we recommend:
- Massage — Give your baby and full-body massage to release tense muscles, aid digestion and circulation and help them unwind. You can learn the basics here.
- Bath –A before bed is one of the most tried and true ways to calm your baby. But try to keep bathtime calm and relaxing so they don’t get too worked up. Choose gentle, natural cleansers and a cozy towel. Lots of cuddles afterward, too.
- Essential Oils — Using essential oils like lavender and chamomile in their bath water, for a massage or in a diffuser in their room can be soothing and, over time, you child can associate the smell with bedtime. Make sure to follow dilution instructions very carefully if using essential oils topically.
- Swaddling — The gentle pressure of swaddling reminds your child of being held or being in the womb and can put them at ease when first sleeping on their own. When your baby starts working their way out of their swaddle and sleeps well through the night, you can move on from this practice. You can learn the basics of swaddling here.
- Humidifier — Keeping the air moist makes it easier for your baby to breathe throughout the night and moisturized nasal passages can prevent illness like the common cold. Use it for naps, too.
- Stricter Schedule — While they may not show it, children thrive on routine. Try to set a schedule for a final feeding, bath, change and singing and/or reading book and stick to it the best you can.
A better night’s sleep may be just around the corner! Follow these suggestions and share with us what works for you.
