Baby Care
Tips to Help Your Baby Sleep
By Benni Jenyfari
Mar 21, 2007, 00:33

I don't know who came up with the saying "I slept like a baby" because babies, especially newborns, don't really sleep that well at all. One of the most common (and probably most truthful) stereotypes in the world is bleary-eyed parents of a newborn struggling to make it through their workday. If there's a baby at your house, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Let's look at some tips to help your baby sleep.

Nearness

Most parents look forward to the day when their baby will sleep alone. And that day WILL come. But don't rush it. Newborns need the comfort and warmth of a nearby parent to cope with the unfamiliarity and insecurity of their new world. It's okay to swaddle your newborn and hold him or her close as they sleep. Gradually, you can introduce moments of being alone and this will prepare them for sleeping by themselves.

Needs

Next to insecurity, the most common reason that babies awake is that they have needs to be met. Either they are hungry or they need a diaper change. Until your baby is past six weeks or above ten pounds, chances are they won't be able to make it through the night without a feeding. This is especially true if you are breast feeding. Of course, the need for a diaper change is closely related to feeding. When you get up to take care of your baby's nighttime needs, avoid playing with them. Take care of them quietly and tenderly, but don't give in to the impulse to entertain them.

Naps

Every baby takes naps during the day. In fact, naps should be a part of their regular daily routine. As they grow, you should be able to gradually shorten them. The tip on naps is that you shouldn't attempt to make daytime feel like night. Don't worry about making the room dark and quiet. If your baby needs a nap, he or she will be able to take it regardless of what's going on. And a normal environment will help them wake up when they've rested enough.

Noise

New parents can be pretty obsessive about trying to reduce noise at home while the baby's sleeping. I'm sure you've seen warnings on the front door not to ring the bell or knock too loudly. Truth is, you'll probably have trouble completely eliminating noise. Your best bet is to add some noise of your own. But not just any noise. Regular, repetitive noise patterns like a ticking clock, a whirring fan, or gentle rhythmic music do more than just provide cover for ambient noise. It also increases feelings of security because a repetitive noise is predictable. Once your baby becomes used to the noise patterns, he or she will know what to expect.

There's no shortage of tips to help your baby sleep. You may be overwhelmed right now by the challenge of helping your baby sleep, but quieter days and nights are close at hand. Providing nearness, meeting needs, regulating naps and replacing noise are all good ways to start.