How to Train your Newborn to Sleep Better

Your bundle of joy has just arrived. There are a lot of things that are on your mind, and one of the most important ones is getting him/her to sleep well. Getting sufficient rest has been important not just for the baby, but also for the parents, especially the mom, who goes through a lot of physical and emotional changes from childbirth. In the first few weeks after birth, leading up to 3 months, your baby is bound to wake up many times in the night, as he/she needs to be fed at regular intervals. However, one way to establish good bedtime patterns in by training the baby. Here is all that you need to know about sleep training your new born.

What is sleep training?

Sleep training is a technique or process of a helping a new born learn to fall asleep, and stay asleep through a longer period, usually at night. Some babies can be sleep trained quickly, while others display trouble settling down. Some babies also wake up frequently and have trouble going back to sleep by themselves. Sleep training takes care of all these aspects.

When to begin sleep training your infant

Establishing a sleep routine can be done as early as when your baby is 6-8 weeks old, and can be tweaked as your child grows up. Every baby is different, and the ideal time to start training them for bedtime can vary from one baby to another. So, you can also discuss this with your doctor or pediatrician to see if your baby is ready to be trained yet.

How to train your infant for bedtime

Sleep training involves multiple components, and here are a few that help your baby fall and stay asleep faster and longer. Setting the stage for a good and sound sleep is key to all of them.

• Set a bedtime routine – a routine lets your baby know that he/she is being readied to go to bed. This could include a warm bath, a lullaby, and so on. Following the same activity helps your baby get accustomed to the routine, and ready himself/herself to go to bed.
• Pick a consistent bed time – putting your baby to bed at different times during different days is a bad practice as this can affect his/her sleep habits. Experts recommend between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. as this is usually when the baby is a little tired, but not overtired or fighting to doze off. Also, putting your child to bed around the same time every day helps his/her body get accustomed to snoozing as per a schedule.
• Stick to a daytime schedule – following a routine during day time is as important as following one during the night. Feed, bathe, and put your newborn to nap around the same time every day. Wake him/her up around the same time every morning. This predictability helps your little one to relax better, and be prepared to hit the bed with a lot more comfort and less irritability.
• Check for a medical condition that affects sleep – some babies have a difficult time snoozing off, no matter how much effort you put in. They wake up frequently, are cranky, and need enormous effort to be put to bed. Such a state could actually be the result of an underlying medical condition that prevents your baby from falling asleep. Sleep apnea, gastric trouble, etc. can meddle with your baby’s bedtime. It is best to seek help from a doctor in such instances.

Sleep training your new born can help him/her relax better, and sleep well, and stay fresh whenever awake. Developing this routine is also beneficial in the long run as they can be tweaked as the child grows up.

Tiny Transitions, led by a certified sleep coach, with sleep training newborn babies ( www.Tinytransitions.com/Sleep-Training-Newborn ), infants, toddlers and expectant parents. To learn more, visit www.Tinytransitions.com/About.

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