5 Ways To Get Your Nursing Baby To Sleep

By Author: Shipra Singh
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Every baby is an individual, and sleeping patterns will vary depending on their age and stage. It will also depend on how much daytime sleep they get. Infants around 6 months of age usually sleep between 3 to 8 hours at night. You may have been trying to get more control over their sleeping patterns, but it may seem like your efforts are not bearing any fruit. Remember, your baby might be crying during the night for many reasons like hunger, separation anxiety, indigestion, etc. Hence, it is essential that you first figure out what is causing this behavior and then take steps to resolve it.

Meanwhile, try these following 5 ways to get your baby to sleep through the night:

• Start a routine:
Establishing a bedtime routine can be a cue for your little one that it is time to sleep. Begin with a nice, relaxing bath in warm water. Follow it up with singing them a lullaby. Try massaging your baby’s feet and legs to help induce sleep. Use this time to bond with your baby, especially if you are a working mom. A little bit of mommy time might be all that your baby needs to have a sound sleep.

• ...
... Keep your baby dry:
Wet diapers can irritate and wake your baby up during the night. Make sure you use a heavy-duty diaper at night to reduce the possibility of waking the baby at night. If you have to change the baby's diaper in the middle of the night, do it gently and with the lights dimmed.

• Feed your baby well before bedtime:
Ensure that your baby has a full tummy before sleep time. Note that your baby would be less hungry if his tummy gets filled during the day. If they have been breastfed way before their bedtime, then it is possible that they might get hungry later on in the night. Mommies who are breastfeeding should know that breastmilk digests within 2 hours and hence, breastfed babies need to be fed more often.

• Create a cosy atmosphere:
Comfort is key. So, make the room as cosy as you can. Maintain a calm environment, and use dim lights at night even when you are feeding. The room should not be too hot or cold, preferably at a pleasant temperature. Hold your baby close while putting them to sleep and place your baby in the crib when they start getting drowsy, and not when they are fully asleep. It is an excellent way to get them to sleep independently.

• Let them be:
Do not rush in at the very first whimper you hear from your baby. Give him/her a chance to self-soothe and get back to sleep on their own before you check-in.

It is important for the mother to sleep when the baby sleeps to prevent extreme exhaustion. Get help from loved ones if possible. You will soon move out of this phase and will have a toddler who will sleep for longer stretches at night, tired from the activities all day long.

Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a professor of Genetics in Bangalore. She has contributed to several online research papers. However, she passionately develops contents on pregnancy, childbirth, childcare and Stem Cell Preservation and Cord Blood Therapy.