What to do before bedtime
It’s bedtime for your newborn baby! This is an exciting and exhausting time for both you and your little one. You may be wondering what you need to do to get your baby to sleep through the night. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you establish a bedtime routine for your baby. This will help them know that it is time to wind down and go to sleep.
Your bedtime routine should start 30 minutes before you want your baby to fall asleep. This will give them enough time to settle down and get drowsy. During this time, you can do things like give them a bath, read them a story, or sing them a lullaby. You may also want to try white noise or a sleep consultant if your baby is having trouble falling asleep.
Once it is time for your baby to go to sleep, put them in their crib or bassinet awake so they can learn how to fall asleep on their own. It may take some trial and error, but eventually they will get the hang of it! If they cry, try not to pick them up unless absolutely necessary. This will teach them that crying does not equal attention and they are more likely to fall asleep on their own if left alone.
If you stick to a consistent bedtime routine, your baby will learn when it is time for sleep and be more likely to sleeping through the night!
The bedtime routine
It is important to establish a bedtime routine for your newborn as it will help them learn the difference between day and night. A bedtime routine should be started when baby is around 6 weeks old.
The routine should consist of the same activities each night and should be done in the same order. A typical bedtime routine might include a bath, some quiet play time, reading a story, singing a song and then putting baby to sleep in their crib.
It is important to do the routine at approximately the same time each night so that baby knows what to expect. It usually takes about 30 minutes to complete the entire routine.
Once baby is in their crib, you can leave the room without them crying or fussing too much. If they do cry, it is okay to go back in and comfort them briefly; just make sure not to pick them up or carry them out of the room with you.
If your baby has difficulty falling asleep on their own, there are various sleep training methods you can try such as cry-it-out or gentle extinction. However, sleep training should not be attempted until baby is at least 4-6 months old and only after consulting with your pediatrician first.
Putting baby to sleep
The most important thing to know about putting your baby to sleep is creating and following a bedtime routine. A bedtime routine should be calming and include activities such as a bath, reading a book, and singing a lullaby. It’s important to do these activities in the same order every night so your baby knows it’s time to sleep.
You should also start following a sleep schedule with your newborn. A sleep schedule includes putting your baby down for naps at regular times throughout the day in addition to following a bedtime routine at night. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for your baby, but eventually you will find a rhythm that works for both of you.
It’s also important to be aware of sleep regressions, which are periods when your baby suddenly starts sleeping less or waking up more during the night. Sleep regressions are common around 4 months, 8 months, and 18 months old but can happen at any time. They usually last for about 2 weeks and then your baby’s sleep habits will go back to normal.
In order to help your baby (and yourself!) get the most restful sleep possible, there are some things you can do:
– Put them down when they’re drowsy but still awake so they can learn how to fall asleep on their own
– Keep the room dark and quiet during nighttime feedings so it’s clear that it’s nighttime
– Establishing good sleep habits from the start will make it easier for everyone in the long run!
After baby is asleep
After your baby is asleep, it’s important to establish some bedtime routines to help them get the rest they need. Here are a few things you can do to help your baby sleep through the night:
1. Establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This will help your baby’s body get into a rhythm and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. Keep the noise level down in the house during bedtime so that your baby can relax and fall asleep more easily. This means no loud music, television, or other distractions.
3. Make sure the room temperature is comfortable for your baby. If it’s too hot or too cold, it will be harder for them to drift off into a deep sleep.
4. Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake so that they can learn to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. This may take some trial and error, but eventually they’ll get the hang of it!
5. If your baby starts waking up in the middle of the night or has trouble sleeping through the night, try not to panic. This is often just a phase that all babies go through at some point called “sleep regression.” With some patience and consistency, things will eventually get back on track