As soon as you welcome a new baby into your family it can feel as though your entire life turns upside down in the best possible way. Not only are you consumed with love for your beautiful bundle of joy, but you’re also navigating all of the new routines and rhythms you need to find as a family. You always try to be the best parent you can be to your children, but there are certain elements of parenthood that can really test your patience, especially when it comes to sleep. This can often be one of the most stressful factors that parents face when their baby doesn’t settle for long stretches at night. With this in mind, here are a handful of proven methods that may help your baby to sleep well throughout the evening.
Look at Their Feeding Schedule
Going to bed and trying to get to sleep on an overly full stomach or a hungry belly is never an ideal situation for a grown adult, let alone a tiny baby. One of the first things you can do to aid your baby’s nighttime sleep is to assess their feeding schedule and make sure they have had just enough formula, breast milk or small meals before they settle down in an evening. If you have a particularly gassy baby, you may want to carve out more time for burping and winding so that they aren’t in any discomfort when you lay them down in their crib to go to sleep.
Consider Chiropractic Care
Some babies will innately struggle with going to sleep because of the way their bodies are built, and this is through no fault of their own. It’s also something that can be treated quickly and effectively by a trained professional. Looking into pediatric chiropractic care can help you to clear and balance their system in order to aid better sleep. Something within their nervous system may be preventing them from enjoying a peaceful slumber and this type of effective treatment can help to combat any ongoing issues.
Create a Consistent Routine
Babies and young children thrive on routine, especially when it comes to sleep. Sticking to the same timings and regimens provides them with a sense of comfort and structure. It is never too early or late to start a consistent bedtime routine for your baby, but how do you know what works for them? For many babies it takes some trial and error to get it just right, but generally you could start with a bath, soothing baby massage, a small feed, winding and a lullaby or bedtime story.
Of course, every baby is different and some parents will choose to handle things differently to others. All in all, the methods mentioned above are those recommended by professional sleep consultants and have proved to be successful in many cases. Consider some of the ideas here and you will soon earn some much-needed rest as your baby sleeps soundly through the night!