8 Helpful Hints to Support a Baby Fighting Sleep

Getting your baby to sleep can be a challenge. Whether your baby is fighting naps, bedtime, or both, it can be difficult to get them to settle down and get the rest they need. Fortunately, there are several helpful hints that you can use to support a baby who is fighting sleep. In this blog post, we’ll go over 8 helpful hints that parents can use to help their baby get the rest they need. Read on to learn more!

1) Establish a bedtime routine

Creating a bedtime routine is one of the best ways to help your baby learn how to get to sleep and stay asleep. A consistent, calming routine will signal to your baby that it’s time to rest. You can start with a warm bath, followed by a story or song, and then dimming the lights. This will create an environment that helps your baby relax and understand that it’s time for sleep.

You can also create a soothing massage or cuddle routine before bed. Once you have established a consistent routine, it’s important to stick to it. Even on weekends or when you are travelling, try to stick to the same basic elements of your routine as much as possible. This consistency will help your baby understand that it is time for sleep.

2) Put baby to bed drowsy, but awake

One of the most important steps in establishing healthy sleep habits for your baby is to put them to bed when they are still drowsy, but awake. This will help your baby develop the ability to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.

To do this, try a few calming activities with your baby before bedtime. This can include singing a lullaby, reading a book, or simply giving your baby a gentle massage or hug. You can also try swaddling your baby if they are under 6 months old.

Once your baby has reached a drowsy state, lay them down in their crib or bassinet and stay with them until they are fully asleep. It's important not to stay with them until they are completely asleep as this can teach them that they need your presence in order to fall asleep, which can create sleep issues down the line.

If your baby wakes up after you have already left the room, it's ok to go back in and reassure them that you are there without picking them up or rocking them to sleep. Just make sure to leave again once they have settled back into a peaceful sleep.

By consistently putting your baby to bed while they are drowsy but awake, you can help them develop healthy sleep habits that will last for years to come.

3) Keep the room dark and quiet

Creating an environment that is conducive to sleep is an important part of supporting a baby who is fighting sleep. Keeping the room dark and quiet helps signal to your baby that it's time for sleep. To ensure the darkness, you can use blackout curtains or shades to block out any external light.

It is also important to keep noise levels in the bedroom low. To do this, you can install sound dampening curtains or rugs, or use a white noise machine to help drown out any outside noise. You should also avoid having any kind of screens in the room like TVs, phones, or tablets.

Additionally, try to avoid having any kind of lights in the room, such as night lights, that may be too stimulating.

By creating a dark and quiet environment, your baby will be better able to relax and fall asleep more easily. Additionally, you can still provide comforting presence without making too much noise by using soft whispers or singing lullabies quietly.

4) Avoid stimulating activities before bed

Getting your baby ready for bedtime should start long before you put them in their crib. To help ensure a restful sleep, try to avoid stimulating activities before bed. This includes anything that is loud, interactive, or visually stimulating.

Examples of activities to avoid include watching television, playing video games, playing with toys that have bright colours or flashing lights, and interacting with other people or animals.

Instead, focus on soothing activities such as reading books, listening to calming music, or doing yoga poses together.

These activities can help your baby relax and prepare for bedtime. Keep in mind that babies usually need several hours to wind down before going to sleep, so plan accordingly and begin the bedtime routine early in the evening.

5) Give your baby time to self-soothe

It is important to give your baby time to self-soothe so that they can learn to calm down and fall asleep on their own. To help them learn to do this, establish a consistent bedtime routine and put your baby in their crib while they are still drowsy but awake. When they start to fuss or cry, you can wait for a few minutes before intervening.

It may be tempting to rush in and pick them up, but allowing them some time to self-soothe will help them learn to fall asleep on their own. You can offer reassuring words and gentle touches or rubs to help them settle down.

If your baby continues to cry after several minutes, go in and provide comfort. Do this consistently and your baby will eventually learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.

6) Don't rock or nurse your baby to sleep

Rocking or nursing your baby to sleep can create a dependency, which makes it difficult for your baby to self-soothe and stay asleep. As hard as it may be, resist the urge to rock or nurse your baby until they’re fully asleep. Instead, make sure that you put your baby down while they’re still drowsy but awake.

If they start to fuss, try soothing them with gentle pats, a lullaby, or a reassuring shush. You may also find that using a pacifier helps to calm your baby down and prevent them from needing to be rocked or nursed until they’re fully asleep.

7) Offer a pacifier

Using a pacifier can be an effective way to help a baby fighting sleep. It is thought that sucking helps to produce hormones which help babies to relax and eventually drift off to sleep. A pacifier can also be used as a tool for self-soothing, with some babies learning to use the pacifier on their own when they become upset or uncomfortable.

It’s best to introduce a pacifier around the age of 6 weeks, when it becomes clear that your baby is looking for a comforting object. If you do decide to offer a pacifier, make sure it’s one that is designed for young babies and meets safety standards. Regularly check the pacifier for signs of wear and tear and replace it as needed.

Keep in mind that introducing a pacifier may not be the right choice for every baby and it should be used as an occasional sleep aid, not a replacement for good sleep habits and techniques. Also, if you are breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier.

8) Be consistent

Being consistent with your baby's sleep schedule and bedtime routine is essential for helping them to learn how to settle themselves to sleep. Keeping a consistent routine helps create a sense of security and familiarity for your baby, which can help them learn to fall asleep and stay asleep. When it comes to babies fighting sleep, consistency is key.

Make sure that you are putting your baby down at the same time each night and sticking to the same bedtime routine. While there may be times when you need to deviate from the routine or adjust bedtimes, doing so only occasionally can help keep your baby's sleep schedule on track.

If you are still having difficulty getting your baby to settle to sleep, there are many resources available to help you get back on track. Talk to your paediatrician, seek advice from a sleep consultant, or read up on tips from parenting experts. Making small changes can make a big difference in helping your baby get the sleep they need.

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