A Better Night’s Sleep Series: When You Have an Infant

Getting a better night’s sleep when you have an infant in the house is very difficult. Anyone who has ever had a baby will tell you they do not sleep peacefully all the time. In order for you to get a better night’s sleep you need to get your infant a better night’s sleep. Here are some ideas on how to achieve a better night’s sleep for all members of the household.

A set bedtime is a key factor in the quest for a better night’s sleep. Everyone in the family should have a set bedtime no matter how old they are. Even the infant in the house will need to have a set bedtime. This makes it easier for everyone in the house to get a better night’s sleep. Your body will begin to adjust to the regular bedtime and waking schedule. This will help you to create a good bedtime routine that will also give your body the cues it needs to begin relaxing for the night and getting ready for a better night’s sleep.

Your quest for a better night’s sleep can start with establishing a bedtime routine for your infant. This will help your infant calm down and start relaxing for the night. After a few nights of this same bedtime routine your infant will begin to recognize the signs that bedtime is coming and settle down more easily. A good bedtime routine for your infant can start with a nightly bath, an infant massage, and some rocking. If your infant still requires a nighttime feeding this should be done while rocking.

Your next step in the quest for a better night’s sleep will deal with how to put your infant down for the night. While you are rocking and feeding your infant they will begin to fall asleep. Don’t let your infant fully fall asleep at this time. You will want your infant drowsy yet somewhat awake when you lay them down in their crib. This way will teach your infant to learn how to put themselves to sleep and not rely on your warmth. This way comes in handy when your infant wakes up in the middle of the night and you are not there. Your infant will then begin to put themselves to sleep every time they wake up and allow you to get a better night’s sleep.

If your infant is still waking during the night for feedings there are a few things that you can do in order to fulfill your quest for a better night’s sleep. When your infant wakes up for a nighttime feeding you will want to refrain from talking to your infant. Don’t engage them with eye contact or anything more than a soft murmur. Staying quiet will signal to your infant that this is sleep time and not play time. The first few nights might be somewhat hard but after a few nights your infant will begin to understand. During this time you will also want to keep the lights as dim as possible. Bright lights can wake up you and your infant making it harder for you both to fall back to sleep.

Other ideas you can use to get a better night’s sleep when you have an infant is to co-sleep. In this solution for a better night’s sleep you will keep the baby in your bed, and feedings will become easier. Many new parents use this way with newborns. This decision needs to be made by both parents because it could affect the sleep patterns of both mom and dad. If neither of you are getting a better night’s sleep because of the infant co-sleeping with you then you may want to look for other alternatives.