3 Great Ways To Get Your Baby To Sleep

You'll never regret having a baby, as they bring with them the unbounded joy and love that all parents know. Being a new parent involves some serious adjusting, however, and one thing you'll have to get used to is interrupted sleep, and sometimes little or no sleep at all. Getting your baby to sleep soundly at night is one of the major challenges that parents face, but here are three ways that you can turn the tables in your favor while giving your child the sleep he needs to develop and grow.

Get Your Baby Into A Night Time Routine

It's a fact of life that for the first few months of a baby's life, his sleep patterns will be erratic and his needs when awake great, so parents of a newborn have to learn to take snatches of sleep when they can. From around three months, however, parents can start to get their baby into a night-time routine, and the sooner this is established the better for all concerned. Bathing your baby first and then putting them into their night clothing can help to relax them, and they'll soon come to associate this, subconsciously, with bedtime. Always carry out this routine at the exact same time. For the first six months, a baby should sleep in the same room as you, so be careful not to wake them when coming to bed.

Comforting Baby Hammocks

Cots are traditionally used as a bed for babies, and if you use one try to make it as warm and welcoming as possible. One alternative that can prove highly effective at encouraging a young child to sleep is a baby hammock. These are specifically designed for the first three months of a baby's life and help them to get used to sleeping on their own. They're designed with safety as their first priority and create a snug atmosphere that will make the child think of the comfort of the womb. They also allow the baby to rock themselves gently, which can aid them in getting a good and uninterrupted sleep. There are many models on the market, so check out an online baby hammock guide to find the right one for your child.

Give Your Baby A Night Time Comforter

Babies develop rapidly during their first year, mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. They first become aware of being separated from their parents at around six to eight months old, which can cause distress at bedtime and difficulty in sleeping. At this age, a stuffed toy or security blanket can be a great comfort to a child, especially if it's been kept near to his mother's body for a while beforehand. It's important, however, not to give such objects to any child under six months old to sleep with, for safety reasons.

Helping your baby get a great night's sleep can be one of the most important gifts you give him, so try to get it into a successful bedtime routine as soon as possible once they reach the age of three months, with a baby hammock being a good idea before that time. When your baby sleeps well, you'll sleep well too, so even if it seems difficult at first, keep trying and remember that a restful sleep will eventually be your reward.