As a mum i know how hard it is sometimes to get your baby to sleep. At times they wake shortly after falling asleep also. It can be frustrating, but if you do a few simple things that i have done, it may assist in keeping your baby calm and in his or her own cot.
Your baby will be ready for sleep once you have fed him, changed his nappy and had some quiet play time. By 8 weeks you should include some tummy time on the floor.
You`ll know when your baby is tired when they start to grizzle, becomes tense or agitated, kicks and thrashes arms and legs or when they frown or pulls a distressed face.
Talk calmly to your baby, close the bedroom door and walk around with him, showing him things around the room. Sing to him in a soft calm voice, as your baby becomes sleepy, sit down with him, cradle him in your arms and continue singing in a soft calm voice, keeping eye contact.
Place him in his cot and gently pat him on the bottom or rock his bed, slowing down as they become more sleepy until they drop off.
Remember, during the first few weeks, baby`s day is a continuous cycle of feed, quiet time, settling and sleep. It`s important at this time to develop a settling technique when your baby needs to go to sleep. This relaxes them, reassures them and prepares them for bed.
Place him in his cot and gently pat him on the bottom or rock his bed, slowing down as they become more sleepy until they drop off.
Remember, during the first few weeks, baby`s day is a continuous cycle of feed, quiet time, settling and sleep. It`s important at this time to develop a settling technique when your baby needs to go to sleep. This relaxes them, reassures them and prepares them for bed.
Remember if you get flustered your baby will sense this and become irritable. Get your partner to take over for a few minutes while you take some time out.
If he becomes a little grizzly after he has fallen asleep, place your hands firmly but gently on his body, like you are wrapping him with your hands so he feels secure, knowing you are still there.
This helped me alot when my son used to wake up grizzling.
This helped me alot when my son used to wake up grizzling.
Once you are satisfied your baby is settled and asleep, leave the room.
If your baby wakes, do no take him out of his bed. Try to settle him while he is still in there.
If your baby doesn`t settle, perhaps he needs something.
Sometimes babies just want a little extra milk, the suckling will make them drop off also. It may be that they need a nappy change, or even need to burp.
Sometimes babies just want a little extra milk, the suckling will make them drop off also. It may be that they need a nappy change, or even need to burp.
Babies don`t know how to settle themselves easily, they rely on us to do it for them.
Also you can place a breast pad in his cot so he can smell you near.
Remember if you get frustrated you really need someone to take over for a few minutes. Your baby will pick up on your mood very quickly, so it`s pointless trying to settle him if you are not calm your self.
Babies sleep patters will vary, but for the first 30 minutes once baby is sleeping, is the time when they are in a deep sleep. After this time they are easily stirred. If your baby stirs after this time, go into their room to reassure them, don`t take baby out of his cot. Try to settle him by talking softly, and patting them on the bottom, slowing down as he settles. If you must pick them up, do so, but try to resettle without removing them from their bed first. Remember patience is the key.....
Babies sleep patters will vary, but for the first 30 minutes once baby is sleeping, is the time when they are in a deep sleep. After this time they are easily stirred. If your baby stirs after this time, go into their room to reassure them, don`t take baby out of his cot. Try to settle him by talking softly, and patting them on the bottom, slowing down as he settles. If you must pick them up, do so, but try to resettle without removing them from their bed first. Remember patience is the key.....
Putting Your Baby To Sleep
