Good Parenting

So many parents go through many sleepless nights with their new babies and infants. This can lead to sleep issues throughout childhood, causing even more stress and strains on your relationships with your child and your spouse.

There are so many reasons why your child might not be sleeping through the night. The hardest part is figuring out what works best for your baby and your family. Don’t become overwhelmed if you feel like certain methods are not working for you. It is nearly impossible to try everything when trying to get your baby to sleep, so don’t give up.

What works for one child is not guaranteed to work for another. So many parents find themselves wondering why sleep patterns are so different from one child to the next. Each child is unique in their own way, therefore they will not all have the same needs when it comes to sleeping.

If your child is waking up hungry, try to feed them more during the day. If they are old enough for solids, try feeding them one more meal of solids during the day. Rice and oatmeal are great to give as an afternoon or early evening meal, as they tend to keep your baby full longer.

If your child does not seem hungry and just wants to be held or soothed back to sleep, try not to pick them up. Instead, try to just rub their back or belly, or pat their bottom. Do not stay in the room too long to soothe. If it seems like it is not working and your child is still crying, pick them up and walk them around for a few minutes.

Establish a schedule during daytime naps. Feed them when they wake up, play for a while until they show signs of being tired, and then put them to sleep. Whatever you do, do not let your child get overtired. This will make it even harder to put them to sleep as they will become aggravated and cranky. The first sign your baby shows of being tired, immediately take them to a quiet, dark room. Rock them or hold them for a few minutes, and then lay them down for a nap. It might seem odd, but the better sleep they get during the day will lead to better sleep during the night.

Try not to show signs of being mad or upset. Your baby can sense the tension and anger, and will only become more upset by seeing you upset. Try to stay as positive as possible. This can be a wonderful learning experience for yourself and your baby, so stick with a plan and stay calm. Sometimes it seems like it will always be this way, but as long as you are taking action to make it better, it will get better!

Every parent deserves to have restful, sleep-filled nights. Trying to operate on a few hours of sleep is nearly impossible without caffeine and drowsiness. Make a difference in your life and your baby’s life starting today!