Sleep. It’s a hot topic among moms of newborns. I can still remember when my baby was only a few weeks old, while I fought to stay awake while feeding him at 3am, dreaming of the day I could get more than 2 consecutive hours of sleep. If this sounds like you, I can help!
As a new parent, one of the most daunting challenges you’ll face is getting your little one to sleep through the night. The sleepless nights, endless rocking, and countless attempts to soothe your baby can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But fear not! You are not alone in this journey, and there is hope on the horizon. In this blog post, we will explore tried-and-true strategies, expert tips, and gentle methods to help you establish a peaceful bedtime routine and get your baby to sleep longer stretches through the night.
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Weighted Sleep Swaddle
The number one thing that changed the game for our baby’s sleep was the Dreamland Baby Weighted Sleep Swaddle . This thing is a godsend. Truly. It is gently weighted on the front from the shoulders to toes and designed to help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The gentle weight helps to “reduce stress and increase relaxation.” This was 100 percent true in my experience. As soon as I would put this swaddle on my baby, he relaxed right away, fell asleep quickly, and stayed asleep longer!
The weight of the swaddle helps baby to feel snug and reduces the Moro reflex, so they are less likely to startle themselves awake. The fabric is bamboo, so it is incredibly soft and comfortable. The best part is, the swaddle can be worn 3 ways: both arms in (swaddled with the Velcro swaddle band), one arm out, or both arms out. This makes the investment of this product SO worth it, because it grows with your baby.
When we started using the Dreamland Baby sleep swaddle, our newborn baby went from waking up several times during the night to sleeping more than 4 hours at a time! Highly Recommend! If you use my link to purchase the Dreamland Baby Sleep Swaddle, you will get 15% off! Plus, the sleep sacks are Buy One Get One Free right now! This is definitely a product I wish I put on my baby registry.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
One of the most important steps in getting your baby to sleep longer at night is to establish a good bedtime routine. Even at only a few months old, babies can pick up on cues that it is time to sleep. It is important to establish a bedtime routine that is calming and lets your baby know it is time to wind down.
Our bedtime routine went a little something like this:
- Warm bath
- Lotion and bedtime song
- PJ’s
- Nursing or Bottle in bedroom with dim light
- Sleep Swaddle
- off to bed
Your baby’s bedtime routine can be whatever works best for you and your baby! I’ve found that a warm bath is one of the best ways to wind baby down for sleep. It is calming, and also serves as a cue that bedtime is near.
Appropriate amount of Daytime sleep
The amount of sleep your baby gets in a day can have a serious impact on how well they sleep at night. Too much sleep can cause babies to be under tired. They can even get their days and nights mixed up. Believe it or not, overtiredness (too little sleep) can also cause frequent wake ups at night. This is why it is a good idea to look into how much sleep your baby should get for their age. Typically, newborns sleep around 16 hours out of a 24 hour period. As they get older, the idea is that their sleep becomes more consolidated in the night hours. With the right techniques, sleep products and a good bedtime routine, you can help your baby do that and get the sleep you both need!
Put Baby Down Awake
When you put your baby down for a nap or bedtime, you should try to put them down “drowsy but awake”. This means that they are sleepy but not yet asleep. If they are awake when you put them in the crib, they should start to become aware that they are falling asleep in their bed and that they are safe.
Whatever conditions your baby falls asleep under, when they wake in the night, they will look for that same environment in order to fall back to sleep again. So, if you can get your baby to fall asleep in their crib, they may start to realize, “This is my bed, where I sleep. I am safe.” and when they wake in the night, they may be able to fall back asleep without crying out for you.
This was one that I was not always great at, because I loved the baby snuggles. But as my baby grew older and more aware, I learned that this was a really helpful tool to get him to sleep longer stretches in his crib.
Be Consistent
In order to help your baby know what to expect when it comes to sleep, you have to be consistent. This is easier said than done. There were so many times I scooped my baby into my bed instead of putting him back in his crib. But the more consistent you are, the better you and your baby will sleep.
Be kind to yourself, and do whatever feels right for you and your baby.
If you try any of these tips or products to help your baby sleep through the night, leave a comment letting me know how they worked for you! Wishing you better sleep, and lots of love!
XOXO – Marissa