by Helium01

Created on: February 28, 2009

How to Help an Infant Sleep

One of the basic needs of an infant is sleep. Although sleep is restorative, and will inevitably get the better of a little munchkin, there are times when even the sleepiest baby has trouble nodding off. It is during those wakeful times that you need to have tools in your arsenal to help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep.

How do you go about helping your baby to sleep? Below are some suggestions to get you started thinking about ways to encourage restful naps and a peaceful nighttime.

Swaddle

When you baby is very young, one of the best things that you can do is to swaddle her. Very young infants have reflexes that they cannot yet control and that may wake them up if they accidentally take a swat in the face from their own hands. Swaddling is done best with a large receiving blanket or muslin blanket. Lay the baby on top of the blanket diagonally and tightly wrap it around him, arms included.

White noise

The second best sleep-inducing method is to include some form of white noise when placing your baby down for a nap or for nighttime sleep. This may come in the form of a fan, or you can also buy noisemakers designed specifically to help infants to sleep. These noisemakers are often noise activated so that if your baby stirs in the night the noisemaker will start again.

Light or Dark

There are arguments to be made for both of sides of the coin when it comes to placing your baby to sleep in a lit or darkened room. During the day, it is best to place your baby down for a nap in a room that allows daylight in, to avoid her becoming light-sensitive in her sleeping patterns. At night, when her room is naturally dark, she will likely sleep longer as her circadian rhythms kick in (and as she gradually lessens her need for nourishment in the night).

Routines

As your baby grows older, having a bedtime routine will help him to settle down for the evening and wind down for bed. A regular routine consisting of activities such as a nightly bath, reading time with mom or dad, and perhaps a lullaby as he drifts off to sleep, will get him in the mood for shut eye. Although during times of stress it can be tempting to skip routines, those periods of upheaval are when you benefit most from keeping to your schedule.

Safety First

In addition to practicing methods of helping your baby to sleep better, it is important to follow recommended safety precautions. Always put your baby to sleep on his back in a crib free of blankets, pillows and stuffed animals to reduce the risk of SIDS. In order to prevent a flat spot from developing on your baby's head, be sure that his head is not in the same position each night.

Above all else, remember that your baby is a unique little individual. She may not follow the typical sleep patterns described in your baby book, but if she is getting the total recommended amount of sleep per day, chances are that you are doing a great job of helping her to sleep.

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