How to Get a Baby to Sleep in 7 Steps

One of the most difficult challenges of early motherhood is getting a baby to sleep, especially since it takes more effort for some children than for others.

For some babies, it is very common to wake up in the early morning crying for no reason. That’s why it’s important to know a few techniques that can help you in case your child has difficulty sleeping.

Just because a baby has trouble sleeping doesn’t mean he has a serious problem. It is normal for some children, even as they get older.

But if you start to apply these steps as a ritual every night and in the same order, your child will get to sleep much faster and enjoy a better rest.

7 steps to get a baby to sleep

1. Bathe with hot water.

One of the best ways to relax your baby is to give him a bath in a little hot water. Before placing him in the bathtub, it is very important that you check that the water is at a maximum temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.

Once he’s in the water, let him splash as much as he likes so he can drain as much energy as possible. Start rocking him very gently and, if he is very restless, place two bags of chamomile in the water, since this plant acts as a natural muscle relaxer.

2. Relaxing massage

The next step to get a baby to sleep is to use relaxing massages. After 5 minutes, you can take him out of the water and dry him very gently with a fluffy towel.

After this, perform a massage by placing the palm of your hands on his chest and rubbing it very gently and then sliding to the sides. Then roll him over and run your hands from the nape of the neck to the back very gently (you should never put pressure on the spine).

3. Put on comfortable pajamas

It’s very important that your baby doesn’t get too cold at night. This is one of the factors that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and it will also cause difficulty in falling asleep.

The best thing you can do is put him in thin pajamas with a moisture-wicking fabric.

4. The final feeding of the day

Like almost all newborns, surely your baby loves the final feeding of the day. It is normal that after exerting all that energy, he feels ready to calm his hunger in your lap.

While this process occurs, it is very important that you talk to him in a low voice and caress his face and back.

5. Help him burp

When he finishes eating, he needs to burp so that he feels more comfortable while asleep. Rest him on your shoulder and very gently pat his back. You can also place him face-down on your lap to tap his back.

If he fails to burp, he will have trouble falling asleep, and you may have to wake up several times during the night to help him.

6. Rock him and sing a song

The next step to get a baby to sleep is to rock him and sing him a song. After changing his diaper, lower the blinds in the room or close the curtain and hold him for a while in your arms.

This cradling facilitates the transition between the day’s activities and the night’s rest. Slowly adjust the movement and rhythm of your breathing so that he can relax, accompanied by a song.

7. Put him in his crib.

When your baby is about to fall asleep, place him very gently in the crib, without making any sudden movements. Thus, the transition to sleep will be very relaxed.

It’s important that you don’t forget to place a handkerchief with your scent next to him, as this will make him feel more secure.

With the help of these great techniques, your baby will have much less trouble sleeping and will be more likely to sleep through the night.

Remember that you must practice them every day so that your child gets used to them and eventually acquires them as a habit.