Tips for helping your baby to sleep:

Things to remember:

  • Trust your gut when you decide what is right for your baby.
  • There is not 1 right way to get a baby to go to sleep or to stay asleep.
  • Each baby has an internal clock which is genetic and unchangeable.
  • You are most capable of deciding which sleep method is right for your family (co-sleeping, Ferberizing, a method of your own invention, etc.).

    • Daily things to do:

  • Give your baby wind down time after his/her active day.
  • Have a consistent bedtime and bedtime routine.
  • When creating a night-time routine, consider the following:
      • - Your baby's temperment.
      - The type of activities that s/he feels are soothing (warm bath, lullaby, story, soft music, massage, rocking, etc.).
      - The length of time it takes for your baby to transition from one state (awake) to another (ready for sleep).
  • Put your baby to bed in a quiet room.
  • Create a comfortable room temperature.
  • Get a nightlight (especially if your baby is a bit older and doesn't like the dark).
  • Swaddle your baby if his/her bodily movements keep him/her awake.

    • If your aim is for your baby to fall/stay asleep on his/her own:

  • Put your baby in crib while still awake.
  • Gently put his/her head down and whisper good night.
  • Promptly leave the room.
  • If s/he cries, don't rush back, s/he may calm down after a few minutes and fall asleep on her/his own.
  • If s/he's still crying after 5 minutes, go in and comfort her/him without picking him/her up (pat, speak reassuringly, etc.) and then leave.
  • Let her/him know that you love her/him and are still there, but don't prolong your stay.
  • Each time you leave, stay out of the room a little longer.
  • Be consistent and firm: wavering makes it harder for your baby.
  • If your baby wakes during the night, don't go in right away. Wait and see if s/he falls asleep on his/her own


    • *If your baby cries for more than 20 minutes, check on him/her to make sure that everything is all right. If it is, make this visit short as well.

    Develop new strategies to help your baby fall (and stay) asleep: join me tomorrow for the Significant Self "Tele-Mommy" phone group!

    TOPIC: BABY'S SLEEP: THE METHOD'S THAT RIGHT FOR YOU

    Date: October 25th
    Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
    Fee: free (except for the charge of the call).

    To register, email your name to claudia@significantself.com

    For more information about this group, click here!

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