Is your baby having sleep problems? Or your baby wont sleep? Try a combination of these techniques. Beyond your immediate goal of getting your baby to sleep, you will be creating healthy sleep habits that will last forever. A peaceful sleeping baby equals a happy mommy and daddy.
Make Sure Your Baby Is As Comfortable As Possible
- Your baby's room should be around 70 degrees, this seems to be the most conducive for sleeping.
- Give her a quite and relaxing warm bath with low lights. No playing and little talking.
- Then a gentle message with baby lotion or oil.
- Ease teething discomfort. This can start as early as three months. Look out for fever, excessive drooling, and tender swollen gums. Contact your medical professional for the appropriate measures to be taken.
- Be sure your baby's nasal passages are clear.
- Change dirty diapers. Make a habit to change diapers before every feeding; more than likely your baby will fall asleep after feeding. This way you won't disturb them and they will start out dry and clean.
- Use cotton sleepwear clothing. This reduces the chances of sensitive skin issues. Also pay attention to your detergents and fabric softeners. Your baby wont sleep if she is constantly bombarded with skin irritants.
- After feeding make certain your baby has burped
- Warm the crib mattress. Toss a towel into the dryer for a few minutes, place it on the mattress, then remove it and put your baby to bed. This is simple and it works. You know how it is to get into a cold bed, especially in the winter months.
- Try using a continuous-play tape recording of repetitive monotone sounds, running water, rain, a ticking clock, or record your own voice reading a story or two and set it to continuous play.
- Use a infant pacifier.
- Remove anything that may cause breathing congestion. Odors can be irritants that can cause your baby to awaken. Odors may be caused by, plants, baby powder, perfumes, and hair spray. "Dust collectors" can also be the culprit to an uneasy sleep. Remove animal dander, stuffed animals, wool products, and pillows. Keep your baby's room clean.
- If your baby is allergic to airborne particles, dust, animal dander, etc. as mention above, try a HEPA-type air filter this will help remove these allergens. Keep the air filters clean. Also the sound from the filter motor will contribute to the repetitive monotone sounds that will help comfort your baby.
- If your baby has irritated areas and you are not using baby laundry detergent, you might consider to do so.
- Use solid curtains, this will keep out the morning sun, maybe even buy you another hour of sleep. If allergic, use dustable blinds. Cloth is a dust collector.
Try Wearing Your Baby Out?
- Strap on your baby sling and pack your baby around the house for about a half hour before bedtime.
- Lie down with your baby, cuddle her close until she falls asleep.
- Wind-up swings can help induce baby's sleep.
- A stroll around the block, weather permitting.
- My favorite, strap her in her carseat and drive around the block. once or twice or three times ...
If these suggestions don't help and your baby wont sleep. Your baby may have medical issues. This will be the time to contact your medical professional.
The most common problem is gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). This is where stomach acids are backing up into your baby's throat, causing an irritating burning sensation. If you notice your baby is having stomach pain, particularly after eating this may be the problem.
Allergies are another possible cause to your baby sleep problems. Formula, dairy products, laundry detergent or even moms diet (breastfeeding moms) can be the culprit. Possible signs of dairy product allergies are stomach pain, diarrhea and irritation around your baby's bum. These common problems can be diagnosed and easily treated.
