Have you ever wondered where the term "sleeping like a baby" comes from? It is a pretty self explanatory figure of speech. But for those who have a baby that is ill, or having trouble sleeping that statement is tossed out the door. There are so many newborn children who have trouble falling asleep. Getting your child to fall asleep is just as important as getting them to sleep throughout the night. Many parents focus on trying to get their child to sleep through the night and take necessary steps in doing so. They often forget that there are ways to help your child get to sleep to begin with.
Setting a proper bed time schedule is important for a child. Making sure you stick to the schedule you have made for them will help your child when he or she starts school. You want to make this schedule when they are babies and keep at it. A proper bed time will help your child get all the rest they need for a busy day of play, or learning, for school aged kids.
Give your child a bath just before bed time. This will soothe your child, calm her down and help her relax. Lavender baby shampoo is designed to help your child become more relaxed which in turn will help them fall asleep faster. If you use this scented baby bath for your child, she will smell lavender on her body and this will aide as well in the process.
All babies love to hear their mother sing softly a lullaby. Rock your baby in a chair while holding her and singing ever so softly your favorite lullaby. Even if you make up your own words or if you don't have the most beautiful voice, singing will help your child fall fast asleep.
I have heard from so many people to just put your baby in their crib and let them cry themselves to sleep. I disagree with this method. Do you like to cry yourself to sleep? Just think of what is going through the mind of your baby as she lays in her crib screaming for you to give her just a bit of love. That is no way to fall asleep. Show her you love her up until she falls asleep. You want your baby to have the best nights sleep with the best dreams possible and if she goes to sleep depressed how will she have sweet dreams. She wants to have reassurance that you will be there.
If you newborn is having trouble trying to get to sleep, try walking and talking to her in a soft tone. Turn the lights out throughout your home (making sure that it is not pitch black, I don't' want you to trip and fall with the baby), and walk with her in your arms. Talk to her as if she was able to talk back to you. Tell her what you see her doing in her future. Talk to her about anything. She may not be able to understand you, but your voice will lull her to sleep..
Never ever raise your voice to a newborn trying to fall asleep. This will put so much stress on the baby, and could even scare her. A scared baby will have a very difficult time trying to fall asleep. Babies can even get nightmares. Can you imagine your little angel having a nightmare? It is awful to even think about.
I have often found, when my babies have a hard time falling asleep, that rubbing their backs or bellies can help calm them down. Just think, how relaxed you get when your spouse gives you a massage. It is the same for a newborn. Just be soft and gentle as your are rubbing, babies skin is not as tough as adults.
Make sure, no matter how you help your child fall asleep, that you do it all with love, kindness, and compassion. Make sure that your baby falls asleep peacefully and if she wakes up in the middle of the night, take the time to lull her back to sleep instead of getting frustrated. Take your frustration out on your pillow when you get back into bed and never get mad at your baby. Remember it is not her fault, she is a baby you know.
