Forming a good sleeping habit for your child is an indispensable part of the process of nurturing and developing a child. Sufficient and quality sleep is not only good for health but also important for the development of the brain, spirit and strengthening the immune system of the child. To form good sleeping habits for your child, parents can apply some of the following measures.
How to train your baby to have a good sleeping habit
Good sleep habits are an important part of a child’s overall health and development. Training your child to have good sleep habits not only helps improve the quality of your child’s sleep but also creates a good sleeping environment for your child to develop. During this time, parents need to be patient, consistent and create a fixed sleep schedule for their child. In addition, to create a comfortable and quiet sleeping environment, performing relaxing activities before bedtime and teaching your child to sleep on their own are also important factors in helping your child form good sleep habits.
Choose the right time to start
Choosing the right time to start sleep training is an important factor in this process. The right time will help facilitate the baby’s adaptation and formation of good sleep habits. The following suggestions can help parents determine the right time to start training their baby:
- When your baby is old enough: Start sleep training when your baby is old enough to understand and respond to sleep training methods.
- When your baby shows signs of readiness: Watch for signs that your baby is ready to sleep longer or on a more regular schedule, such as falling asleep easily, waking up less during the night, or being able to go back to sleep on his own after waking up in the middle of the night.
- When the sleep environment is favorable: Choose a time to start training when your baby’s sleep environment is well prepared, including a quiet, comfortable bedroom with plenty of space.
- When parents are willing and have time: Choose a time when parents have enough time and are willing to invest in the training process, including being patient and consistent in implementing sleep training methods.
Although every baby is different, there are some general guidelines when choosing the right time to start sleep training. You cannot sleep train a newborn (0-6 weeks old), because at this stage, their sleep is still instinctive. When your baby is 2-3 months old, although it is still too early to sleep train, you can establish a bedtime schedule that incorporates healthy sleep habits such as: bedtime, bedtime routines (bath, massage, diaper change, swaddling, etc.).
The best time to start formal sleep training is between 4 and 6 months. But remember, every baby is different. So if you feel your baby isn’t ready, just wait a little longer!
See more: Taboos when caring for newborn babies
Use an electric cradle to create rhythmic movements
Using an electric crib to create rhythmic motion can be an effective way to train your baby to sleep. The gentle and constant motion of the crib helps your baby feel safe and comfortable, similar to the feeling of being in the womb. This can help your baby fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. In addition, the rhythmic motion of the crib can also help your baby fall asleep more naturally. As your baby learns to fall asleep without any support from you, his or her sleep habits will become more stable and long-lasting.
Talk to your pediatrician
If you are still worried about putting your baby to sleep, consult your pediatrician! Some methods require you to reduce your baby’s nighttime feedings, but if you are still not comfortable doing so, your doctor will advise you to find a solution. Your doctor will also help you rule out any underlying health conditions that may affect your baby when you apply a certain sleep training method, such as reflux, GERD, sleep apnea, allergies that develop at night, etc.
In addition, the mother also needs to agree with the baby’s father about the sleep training plan for the baby such as: when to start and choosing the most suitable method for the baby. The father and mother need to agree with each other when implementing.
Choose a sleep training method that works best for your baby.
There are many methods to train your baby to form good sleeping habits. You need to spend time researching and choosing the method that best suits your baby and yourself. There are many sleep training methods from gradual changes and adjustments in living habits, to more drastic methods. The important thing is to choose a method that is moderate and suitable for you to stick with until the end. So, don’t choose a method that is too stressful for both your baby and yourself, Mom!
See more: Menu of 30 nutritious weaning dishes for babies from 6 to 12 months old
Set up the process
Babies love routines because they know what’s coming next. Create a daily routine before bedtime so your baby knows it’s time to sleep. Repeat the routine during both naps and naps. Routines include changing diapers, swaddling, playing soft music, or rocking your baby to a lullaby. Before bedtime, routines can include bathing, massaging, applying body oil, and breastfeeding.
If using the Autoru Automatic Cradle, after the above steps, mothers can put their baby in the cradle, tell them a few short stories before going to bed, then turn on the cradle to gently rock the baby to fall asleep without the mother having to hold or comfort them. This habit not only helps the baby fall asleep easily, but is also very good for the baby’s brain development. When the baby is a little older, mothers can easily train the baby to read books before going to bed.
Set an early bedtime
Mothers should put their babies to bed early, around 7pm. When babies go to bed early, they have about 1 hour to fall into a deep sleep and sleep longer. Babies going to bed early will help growth hormones to develop strongly while sleeping, which is very good for the development of the baby’s height and brain.
Arrange the space when the baby sleeps
Try to keep your baby in a suitable sleeping environment: dark bedroom, white noise and suitable room temperature. Do not insert, block or put too many pillows, blankets, stuffed animals in the crib to keep your baby safe while sleeping. If you are using the Autoru Automatic Cradle product, this is a very good sleeping environment for your baby. Because the bottom of the crib is designed with a soft cotton mesh surface, but no less sturdy to ensure that your baby lies comfortably, cool, suitable for your baby’s sensitive skin and does not bend his back.
Time for baby sleep
Lack of sleep will make your baby fussy, tired and have difficulty falling asleep. But children who sleep too much will also have similar problems. Too much nap time will make it difficult for your baby to sleep at night and wake up early the next morning. Therefore, your baby’s daytime naps should be 30 – 45 minutes and should not last more than 3 hours. With these naps, you can turn on the automatic cradle to let your baby sleep until he wakes up. You will have time to do other things without worrying about your baby waking up and fussing in the middle of the sleep. When your baby changes sleep, the Autoru automatic cradle will help your baby easily return to sleep on his own.
See more: How to teach your baby to roll over and crawl quickly and correctly
Handling when baby wakes up
It is inevitable that your baby will wake up when you put him down. You can cue him that it is time to go to sleep by following the same routine you have followed. You can put him down in his crib, drowsy, but not asleep. Of course, he will cry, but you can help him feel secure by staying calm.
Mothers should sit next to the baby’s crib and comfort and soothe the baby with soft words until the baby falls asleep. Another way to soothe the baby is to use the automatic rocking function of the Autoru Cradle. The gentle swinging in the beginning will help the baby feel comfortable and fall asleep easily, instead of the mother having to pick the baby up to comfort and when putting the baby down, the baby may wake up. When the baby is in deep sleep, the mother may not need to use the automatic rocking function of the crib anymore.
As soon as your baby transitions or wakes up in the middle of the night, stay calm and watch to see if he can fall back asleep on his own. If he is upset and cries a lot, you can also use these methods to soothe him and help him fall back asleep on his own.
How to deal with children who have trouble sleeping and are often startled?
When your child is having trouble sleeping and is having trouble sleeping, it is important that you approach the situation gently and compassionately. Here are some ways to handle this situation effectively:
- Create a conducive sleep environment: Make sure your baby’s bedroom is quiet, comfortable and dark. Eliminate triggers, such as bright lights, noise or inappropriate temperatures.
- Practice relaxation techniques before bed: Do relaxing activities such as taking a warm bath, reading a book or listening to soft music before bed. These activities help calm your baby and prepare him for sleep.
- Create a consistent sleep schedule: Establish a consistent sleep schedule for your baby, including bedtime and wake-up times. A consistent schedule helps your baby’s body adjust to the sleep system.
- Offer comfort and cuddles: When your baby is startled, offer comfort and cuddles. Sometimes, holding your baby and gently stroking him or her can help him or her fall back asleep.
- Talk to your doctor: If your baby’s difficulty sleeping and waking up is persistent and affecting their health and development, parents should see a doctor or sleep specialist for more specific support and advice.
Most importantly, parents need to remember that each baby has its own characteristics and may take time to adapt to new sleeping habits. Being patient and consistent will help your baby gradually form good sleeping habits, providing your baby with health and comprehensive development. At the same time, parents should always listen and observe their baby to adjust the method of practicing sleeping habits that best suits their baby’s body’s needs. Thus, through the above article of Autoru , parents can not only practice good sleeping habits for their baby but also build independence for their children.