Making a habit out of your newborn child’s sleep routine is very important for both the baby’s health and your own peace of mind. In order to start establishing this routine, you don’t have to wait. It’s perfectly fine and even encouraged to make a routine out of sleep time from the very first day. That way your baby won’t have any problems to adjust and you will be able to get some sound sleep, too.
Observe your baby’s tendency to dose off and consult your doctor when it comes to establishing the best possible time to start getting ready your child for bed. Try to stick to the schedule every day, so that it becomes natural for your child to start feeling sleepy around that specific time. What’s more, with scheduled time, the baby’s body will soon get used to it, and your child will find it easier to relax and rest as well.
Keep it active
Of course, your newborn can’t actively play games but you still can help your baby release that extra energy that would prevent proper sleep. Play around with your baby, dance together and laugh together. Even small activities like these will definitely make your child less energetic and moody as well as more willing to fall asleep.
A nice bath
Babies need some sort of rituals that would prepare them for dream land. One of the best rituals before bed is definitely a nice and warm bath. Make this experience very fun and enjoyable for your child with mild baby shampoos, water toys and gentle massages. The bath and warm water will relax your child’s muscles and the special scent of baby bath products will soothe and calm the child.
Play some music
There are many playlists online that are specially created for getting your child to sleep. The music is soothing and generally helps with relaxing your child. In order to establish a good sleep routine, more than one ritual is needed, and playing some appropriate tunes can speed up this important habit.
Blankets to the rescue
There’s no better way to signal that it’s sleeping time than wrapping your child in a warm baby swaddle that would prevent the child from moving around. The warmth and coziness of these wraps will make the child sleepier and definitely provide a perfect atmosphere to simply drift off. Moreover, wraps and swaddles are very beneficial because they will keep the child tucked in and in a healthy sleeping position. Also, you won’t have to worry about your baby getting cold and throwing off the blanket in their sleep.
Read a bedtime story
Another ritual that can help with establishing proper sleep routine is reading your child a bedtime story. It’s very important that your baby can see and feel you right next to the cradle before they fall asleep. Most babies can’t relax if they feel like you’re not there. So don’t expect that the rituals before bed will be enough. Sit down, rock the cradle and let your voice reach your child so that the baby can calmly give in to rest and feel safe.
When establishing the sleep routine, make sure to continuously repeat your rituals every day and in the same order. Of course, make sure to do this at approximately the same time as well. Only repetition will prove to be successful in this case. Also, make sure that you are calm and speak in a gentle and low voice so that your child can recognize your own behavior as a signal that it’s time for some quality sleep.
