One of the greatest things about having a baby is discovering
their unique personality and their likes and dislikes. Once you
begin to understand what works with your baby and what doesn't,
you can apply it to their bedtime ritual. As you observe your
baby, notice what seems to help them sleep and what keeps them
awake. You might also want to try out some different sleeping
tips to see if any of them help your baby drift off to
dreamland. Read on for some suggestions on how to relax your
baby before bedtime.
Getting into the Swing of Things
Acquiring a baby swing is almost a necessity for any mother. It
will give you the chance to do laundry, wash dishes, clean the
house or make dinner and keep your baby entertained at the same
time. But, you might not realize that your baby swing is also a
great way to calm your baby down before bed. The constant
swinging motion will lull your baby to sleep and remind him or
her of being rocked to sleep in your arms. After a little while
in the swing, you will want to pick up your baby very gently and
continue to rock him or her for a few minutes. This may or may
not be enough to get them to fall asleep, but it will soothe
them either way and make the transition from being awake to
falling asleep that much easier.
On the Road Again
Ever noticed how your baby falls asleep when you take them for a
drive? The sound of your engine and the soothing vibrations from
your vehicle will often make your baby very sleepy. If you are
having trouble getting your baby to sleep, take them for a short
drive and see if it helps. Chances are that your baby will be
asleep in less than ten minutes. The hard part will be not
waking your child up when you get back home. Carry the car seat
in the car and if your baby is a light sleeper, leave him or her
in the car seat until they wake up again in the night. Then,
when they reawaken, you can feed or change your baby and then
put them back in their crib for the rest of the night.
Some Like it Hot
Well, not hot, but warm! Even adults love getting into a warm,
soft bed each night and your baby is no different. Warming up
your baby's sheets or placing a warm towel on your baby's bed
will make it even easier for them to fall asleep. Keep in mind
that a baby should never be hot or too warm, so a lightly warmed
bed is all that is desired. If you do not want to warm your
baby's sheets, try substituting cotton bedding for flannel. This
will make your baby's bed super cozy and snuggly. If it's
winter, always put socks on your baby's feet and make sure they
are covered by a blanket.
About the author:
Chase Winters provides tips and techniques to help your baby sleep.
