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Cozy Babies Sleep Better!

Tips for Getting Baby to Sleep

Getting baby to sleep can be a frustrating task for any parent. There are many sleep techniques and methods but you may have to try a few to see what works best for your baby. Here are a few that worked for our cozy babies.

Newborn babies like to be swaddled. This method of wrapping your baby snuggly with a receiving blanket is common in most hospitals and helps the baby feel secure like when they were in the womb. Swaddling keeps the baby's arms and legs close to his body and prevents them from "flailing" and startling him. (They didn't have much room to move in the womb and now their limbs are waving around all over the place!)

The use of a Moses basket or bassinet has also been shown helpful because of the small sleeping area. Moses baskets and bassinets are great for newborns and babies up to 3 or 4 months. Once your baby is capable of rolling over or pulling to sit it is time to transition him to a crib. To help transition to the crib you can place the basket right into the crib to help baby get used to her new surroundings.

No matter where your baby sleeps, research shows that routine is key for babies. It helps them transition from playing, eating and being "awake" to calming down and getting ready for sleep. Many parents choose to bathe, put on pajamas, read a book or singing lullabies an effective routine.

Some parents nurse or bottle feed their babies to sleep and others like to put them down while still awake but very drowsy. The latter method allows your child to learn how to soothe him/herself to sleep. This also helps when they wake in the night and can settle themselves and go back to sleep on their own. If you choose to put your child down while still awake, don't be surprised if they cry awhile the first few days. This is the learning time to figure out how to calm themselves to sleep.

Some parents find that a security blanket is a good tool for baby to soothe himself to sleep. Try washing the blanket with your laundry and then sleep with it under your pillow for a night or two. This helps transfer your scent to the fabric and when baby has the blanket it helps comfort him. The security blanket is great for older babies too when they are sick, starting daycare, getting a shot at the doctor's or any other time they need to feel safe and secure.

When you find the bedtime routine that works for you and your baby stick to it consistently. Bedtime will become easier and your baby will adjust to the routine and feel secure knowing what to expect.