10 tips to getting your baby to sleep
There’s a lot written about how to stop babies from crying all night but no definitive manual of what works every time! If only there were. There are however, some techniques that can be really useful in managing those sleepless nights. These are ones that have worked for me.
1. Change the nappy
Check and change the nappy. If babies are in discomfort from a full nappy, changing it will be a first step to settling your baby.
2. Don’t underestimate the burp
Rubbing and gently patting that little back will help to get the burps out. Being vertical is essential to allow that bubble to rise.
3. New lungs
For the past 9 months, your baby has been tucked up in the womb having a great time relying on mum for everything. While it may be just a saying, I think sometimes screaming can just be their way of letting you know these new parts are all working well. In a soothing voice tell your baby this while she or he is having a good scream!
4. Feed if there are hiccups
You can have hiccups when you are full or hiccups when you are empty. If you haven’t fed for a couple of hours and baby is till hiccupping then give a feed to fill up that empty space.
5. Wrap snuggly/Swaddle
While there are current opinions that wrapping babies up is not good for their hips and legs, I think not-too-tight wrapping can help with a screaming baby. For the past 9 months, your baby has been confined to the womb with their legs and arms tucked in very nicely, and not much room to move. When they are born, they suddenly have all this space around them and flailing arms and legs can be a surprise to say the least. Wrapping your baby can restore the security of the womb. Again, be careful not to wrap the baby too tightly and ensure the wrap is appropriate for the weather. Learn how to wrap your baby safely for sleep or watch this video on how to wrap your baby.
6. Talk soothingly
It may seem simple, but talking soothingly to your baby can stop them from crying. The comfort of your familiar voice sometimes is all they need. I use this example as after the birth of one of our children, my mother, a wonder woman (!), babysat our son for about 4 hours. He screamed pretty much the whole time. I arrived home, called him a silly sausage in a soothing voice, and he never made a sound after that.
7. Walk and wheel
During those nights, when your baby just won’t stop crying and you feel you can’t keep holding him or her, strap them to you and walk or put them in a sprung pram and wheel them around the house. If you are too tired to wheel them, set the pram next to you and rock it back and forth. If you feel up to doing a few useful things while walking, all the better.
8. Accept that sometimes there will be crying on and off all night
There may be nights when the baby will by crying on and off all night. Expect that this might happen. When you are too tired and simply cannot stay awake, put the baby to bed and let her or him cry. You can’t do anymore and baby is safest there.
9. Ask for help
Acknowledging that help is needed is the smartest thing you can do as a new mother. Note what you are struggling with or what you need and talk with your partner, mother, sister or friends to get a plan in place. A nanny who will become part of your family is a great solution. Thinking you can do everything on your own is not realistic and something no-one expects of you.
10. And most of all, remember that when baby finally goes to sleep you MUST too!
In order to look after your baby, you must look after yourself first. Managing a new born is physically demanding and it’s tough at times. You’re not alone and seeking help and advice family or a nanny can change everything.
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