Every mother struggles with getting their baby to sleep sometimes. Little ones change their preferences, their interests, and their need for sleep will reduce over time. If you would like to make sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep, as well as your kids, you might need to create a bedtime routine that will help your little one settle, calm down, and accept the fact that they need to put their head down. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started to create a bedtime routine for your baby.
How to create a bedtime routine
Listen to the Signs of Tiredness
As you get used to your baby, you will learn the signs of tiredness. Some babies will rub their eyes, others will become restless or naggy. Be careful, though, as some of them will play the trick or asking for food, just to fall asleep during feeding. Keep a diary if you would like to learn the tricks of the baby trade, and deal with them one at a time. It might be the case that your baby can only fall asleep in the cot or the baby car seat. Let them, and safely move them in their cot later.
Avoid Putting them Down Right After Food
One of the mistakes new mothers make is putting their baby down right after food, or allowing them to fall asleep while eating. This will not end well, as they will have no chance of getting rid of the wind and gas that is produced by their little bodies. As a consequence, they are more likely to wake up in pain and developing colic.
Bath Time Routines
A good way of getting ready for bed and winding down is creating a bath time routine that involves play and music. If you engage with your baby and encourage interaction, movement, and thinking, they are more likely to be ready for the bed after. You can play games while getting dressed, or read a bath book together. Stimulate the senses of your baby through different colors, sounds, and materials while in the bath and when getting dried.
Playing Together
After feeding, you can play with your baby as well. Try building blocks, reading, or construction. Whatever tires them out, you are a winner. Play with a soft ball, or tell the bedtime story using finger puppets. It is important that your baby feels secure and connected before you head to the cot with them, or they might feel abandoned. If you are asking yourself why do babies fight sleep you must check their behavior. Do they look worried or even scared staying in the room together? If that is the case, you might want to stay in the room until they fall asleep.
Baby Mobile
Sometimes finding the right stimulating and calming baby mobile will solve your problems. Choose one with your baby’s favorite colors and animals, and talk about it. Instead of simply turning on the mobile and leaving the room, you should engage with them and talk about the different figures, colors, and sounds. Some of the baby mobiles allow you to record your own voice, which will be calming for your baby and help them fall asleep.
Music
Music can also help your baby fall asleep better. Choose one that you regularly listen to together, and play this in the nursery when you arrive together. The familiar sounds will help your baby sleep better and feel more secure about their environment. You can play music and sing along all night, so the bedtime routine will feel more natural if you carry on playing the same music. Every baby reacts to changes differently, so pay attention to the signs of fear and anxiety.
Reduce Sleeping In the Day Gradually
In case you have tried everything and still can’t get your baby to sleep through the night, it might be time to revise your routine. As your little one grows, they will need less sleep in the day. Try to wake them up earlier from their daytime nap, to see if they will sleep better at night. You can also try to put them down later, or let them sleep earlier in the day, so they are more likely to be tired by the time you are ready for bed.
To make sure your baby gets enough sleep, and doesn’t wake up during the night, you will need to establish a bedtime routine. Make sure that you regularly revise your routine, to make sure it still meets your little one’s sleeping needs.
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