Helping Your Baby Sleep
Being tired can be a big part of life with a new baby.
But parents can help babies learn good sleeping habits right away.
FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS:
1. Make up your own get-ready-to sleep steps.
- For example:
- Read a short book
- Sing a lullaby
- Give good-night
- Kisses and turn out the lights
2. Put your baby in the crib while still awake but sleepy.
- After you put your baby down, it may take 20 minutes for them to fall asleep.
- If they cry, check diaper, burps, and rock or cuddle
- Lastly, put them back down to finish falling asleep.
3. Do the same get-ready-to-sleep steps every night in the same order.
4. Make middle of the night feedings brief and boring.
5. Keep daytime naps to no more than 3 hours per nap.
6. Try to make your babies go-to-bed time the same as the last feeding of the day.
FOR 2-4 MONTHS:
1. Keep up the same get-ready-to-sleep steps, but add a new step:
- Brush your baby’s gums/teeth with water and a washcloth.
2. Have your baby sleep in a separate room. Or:
- Use a screen or furniture so the baby cannot see you from the crib.
- Do not use a blanket over the side side of the crib as it could cause suffocation.
3. Delay middle of the night feedings.
- Try only one or two feedings a night.
- Do not lay your baby down with a bottle.
4. If your baby wake more often:
- Try to quiet them with some gentle cuddling in the dark room.
- Check diapers.
- Burp your baby.
- Check that your baby is not too hot or cold.
5. If your baby still will not settle down:
- Feed your baby with less milk than what you gave during the day.
It takes patience, but you will get to sleep soon!
Adapted From:
Instructions for Pediatric Patients, WB Saunders Co. 1999, Barton Schmitt, MD