When my first son was born, all I heard was “sleep when the baby sleeps” but that meant the laundry didn’t get done, dinner didn’t get made, and no showers were to be had. I knew that I wouldn’t feel rested until he was able to sleep through the night. Now that I have successfully sleep trained both of my boys, I’ve compiled my top five tips to help your baby sleep through the night.
1. Establish a sleep routine early.
From very early on, around three weeks old, I started to set up a night routine. For us this meant the feeding before went to bed, was done in our room, in the dark, with no television on. I wanted to start the association of “dark room=bed time” as soon as possible. Your routine will evolve as they get older but for us it was as simple as putting on pajamas and relaxing in a bouncer before bed. Some people include bath time, reading a book, singing, or rocking in rocking chair, whatever you decide, just be consistent.
2. Find the perfect swaddle.
There are a million swaddles on the market, the key is to find the right one. I learned that what worked for one child, might not work for the next, but once you find the one your baby likes, you’re golden.
These are the ones that I highly recommend:
3. Invest in a white noise machine.
Before kids, I never understood the concept of a white noise machine. Now as a parent who has used one for both of my children since birth, it’s the one thing I recommend to any mom-to-be or any mom who is complaining about their child’s lack of sleep. It helps to block out all the little incidental noises from their surroundings which often disrupts REM sleep and wakes your child before they are truly ready to wake.
There are many white noise/sound machines out there on the market, but I can only talk from experience. Here are the two I recommend:
The Marpac Dohm Classic white noise machine is what we use in both boy’s rooms. In fact when I was pregnant with my youngest, it was my first purchase for the new baby. It is very durable. Its been dropped, it has traveled with us, and has been used every single night for the last four years of my oldest’s life.
The Marpac Rohm Portable White Noise Machine is great for on the go. I’ve used it in the car, in the stroller, and when my children have napped in places other then home. It has a long battery life, 3 different sounds, and adjustable volume.
4. Block out all the light.
The smallest sliver of light can disrupt your child’s circadian rhythm, making it harder for them to fall back to sleep. Therefore, making sure their room is as dark as possible, is crucial. My suggestion would be both blackout shades and blackout curtains. Taping black garbage bags over the window is another cost effective idea. Also, if you’re using a night light, ditch it.
5. Choose a sleep training method, and stick to it.
This is an iffy topic, what works for one family, may not work for another. For us, the golden ticket was the Ferber Method which we started at 4 months old. Whatever sleep training method you choose, just remember it is all about consistency.
Consult your child’s pediatrician before starting your sleep training journey and remember the habits you form leading up to sleep training will make for a much easier transition for both you and your baby.
Let me know in the comments if these Tips to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, worked for your little one or if you have any tips of your own!
This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment.
I love that you put pictures/links of the swaddles and when/why they worked for you! Super helpful!