It’s 2:45 in the morning. Its the fourth time you’re getting up to tend to your crying baby. And this has been going on for a week!
Parents, we feel your pain. Most of us have been there at some stage of our lives. We decided to write about it. Here are some good tips to try when you are battling to get your little one to settle and sleep. These tips are predominantly for 3 – 6-month-olds.
Your baby will be getting more of their 14-16 hour daily sleep needs at night at this age (fingers crossed). They’ll likely be having three daytime naps totaling three hours or so.
Put them down awake
If they’ve fallen asleep during their feed, it’s so tempting to lay them straight down and sneak out. But it’s advised to rouse them slightly so they’re awake when you lay them to sleep. That way they know you’ve gone and won’t wake in a panic. It also means they are learning to go to sleep without you there.
Feeding
You will probably still be doing at least one-night feed until 6 months or older, but keep it quiet, ie no excitement and distractions. Make as little eye contact as possible so they settle back to sleep quickly.
Cuddling and rocking
There are going to be those nights where nothing seems to work apart from cuddling and/or rocking them to sleep. That’s life, everyone has those nights. But try not to make it a nightly habit to rock or cuddle them to sleep – that way they will expect it and don’t learn to settle by themselves.
Wait before going to them
If you know they aren’t hungry or hot/cold but they aren’t settling, wait a few minutes before going into the room, say 5 or 10 minutes – not too long that your baby is left in distress. It’s amazing how often they settle by themselves, and that’s a really important skill to learn.
Patting and shushing
If you’ve checked the usual (hunger, nappy, temperature of the baby/room) and they’re still not settling, try to lean into the cot, patting them gently and shushing them quietly. Then retreat, and do it again if necessary. Leave longer gaps between each session until they (hopefully) settle.
Hand them a favorite toy/comforter
When they get to 6 months, as you lay them down in their cot, put down a soft toy they like next to them, or a blanket or something that smells of you. This really helps some babies to settle.
Try an earlier bedtime
The likelihood of a baby who had a busy day and not much sleep would sleep like the proverbial baby at night. But that’s often not the case. Just like us when we stay up too late, a baby can get a ‘second wind’. They get hyper and can’t settle.
Try a baby sleeping bag
If your baby can’t seem to settle and they’re wriggling out of their covers, a baby sleeping bag can be a godsend. Watch out for the tog rating.
Are they teething?
Some babies get their first teeth at 4 or 5 months, and they can cause real irritation and discomfort. Try massaging their face around the jawline and under the chin to soothe it, or try a teething gel. Some babies will only settle for a feed, though.
Keep things the same
This is a great time to create a few bedtime habits. It signals to your baby that bedtime is coming, and it’s nearly sleeping time. Sleep experts say it should last about half an hour – no more than 45 minutes – and take place calmly in the bedroom and bathroom.
Don’t go into the playroom or living areas in case your baby thinks it’s time to play. What you do is up to you but it could include: a warm bath, nappy change and pj’s on, milk and story.