5 Unusual Tips for Your Baby's Bedtime
When a woman is pregnant, she cannot even imagine how difficult it will be to get her baby to sleep. Babies only sleep when they need it. Adults try to get them to sleep at certain bedtimes in order for us to be able to rest or perform other activities that we cannot do while they are still awake.
Actually getting a baby to sleep can be one of the most complicated parts of motherhood and there is no instruction manual that applies to all the babies in the world. But there are some techniques you can try and perhaps you will find one that works with your baby at bedtime.
Put a hot towel in the crib before bedtime.
Your baby may be bothered by the cold temperature of the sheets after having just been in their mother’s warm arms. Putting blankets on babies is not a good idea until they are a year old, or even two. This is why “sleeping bags” for babies are so popular, as well as warm pajamas.
But before you put your baby to bed in your crib, you can place a dry, hot towel inside it and leave it for a few minutes. Then when you take it out the crib will stay warm and help your little one to relax and sleep better.
It is better to change your routine from time to time.
It is a good idea not to have one parent that always puts the child to bed, because then the baby will refuse to be put to bed by the other parent. This is why the mother and father should take turns putting the baby to bed, so that it will not be a problem when one of the two is busy and needs the other one to take their place.
Also, mothers are more likely to spend more time with babies, which is why their bond is established almost innately, so bedtime is a good time for the dad to be able to interact with their baby and strengthen that bond.
Use the vibrations of your voice.
Babies are accustomed to their mother’s voice and have been listening to her every day since before they were born. In this sense, it is a good idea for your baby to feel the vibration of your voice while you are supporting their head on your chest.
You can sing a song, talk to them, or just hum. Feeling the vibration of your voice and how it resonates in your chest will help them sleep and feel much better.
Take a look at what time your baby is going to sleep.
When a baby does not follow clear and well-established routines, their sleep is probably not regulated yet. A baby needs clear routines so that they can feel secure and they can go to sleep at the same time easily.
You will have to follow the same night time routine every night and also ask yourself the questions: are you putting your baby to bed too early or too late? Do you follow a routine, or is it different every day?
Be flexible with what your baby needs.
Even if you follow a routine every day it is necessary to be somewhat flexible in order to ensure that you are keeping up with your baby’s needs. You should keep in mind that what seems to have worked to get your baby to sleep one night, might not work the next night, and you may have to try another totally different technique.
You should start out being flexible and adjust your routines little by little until you can find the one that is best for your baby. Sometimes changing the time you eat dinner is more than enough for you to be able to rest.
Here are some tips to help your baby sleep better at night, but remember that every baby is unique and you have to adapt to their needs and their rhythm. Above all, regulate their internal clock so that they know when it is night time and time to sleep.
Never force them to sleep when they don’t want to, or let them cry until they fall asleep from exhaustion… they need you and need to feel your warmth in order to feel safe and calm.
