If you’ve got a baby or toddler, you know the struggle of putting them to sleep at night. No matter how tired your little one may be, it’s unlikely he or she will go down easily or quickly, making bedtime the most frustrating part of your day. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to put your baby to sleep in just 40 seconds – even if he or she has been awake for hours and doesn’t appear tired in the least bit! So read on below to find out how to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
How to Put a Baby to Sleep in 40 Seconds
1) Play Music:
Music is proven to soothe babies as soon as they are born. Infants also enjoy listening to classical music before falling asleep more than any other genre. Choose something soothing with a low tempo, and make sure it’s not loud enough to wake your child up. Put the volume on low and sit next to your child with his head resting on your shoulder. Start playing from 5-10 minutes before bedtime.
2) Use touch to relax them:
Think of your hands as little massaging machines. Try massaging your baby’s feet and other body parts that are not covered by clothes. Start with gentle strokes and keep going until you see him or her relax and close his or her eyes. Talk calmly to your child while massaging them, so they know it is not time for play, but rest time, which means sleeping! You can also use this technique when your baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night.
3) Use calming lotions:
Using special calming lotions can also be used to help babies, and toddlers fall asleep. Lavender and chamomile are two of the most popular natural ingredients for these products, but you should always consult your pediatrician before buying one. While using the right lotion, simply rub a small amount of lotion between your palms, then gently massage his or her legs and arms until he or she falls asleep.
Note: There are some lotions that can only be applied on a child’s feet, so check its label first before applying it all over your baby’s body. Never put anything on your child’s face because that could lead to eye irritation. One of the best methods for using a calming lotion is after bath time. The process can take up to 10 minutes, but the end result is worth it.
4) Stroke their head gently:
Don’t worry about having smooth strokes when you stroke your child’s head. Your child will appreciate that you are spending time with him/her and that alone is enough. Start from their forehead and slowly work your way down until you reach their back. As soon as you get near any area of their body, repeat it again for longer periods, so they can know when it is going to end. This method is great because they will eventually associate that sensation with being calm, and it won’t scare them anymore.
5) Comfortable position is the key:
Babies can’t tell us where they feel comfortable, but we can observe their posture and movements. When they are feeling comfortable, you will notice that their whole body relaxes, and their eyes start getting heavy with drowsiness. The ideal sleeping position is on his or her back or stomach while swaddled tightly. Once your child is in the desired position, rock them for a few minutes before laying them down and turning on their side or back, so they are lying on their safe side. After a few moments, cover your baby with a blanket to help them sleep better.
6) Running water:
While you can never make your little one fall asleep using running water, you can use it to help him or her calm down. When your child is getting fussy, use a faucet that has low pressure and run cold water for about 10 minutes. Turn off the water for about 15 seconds, turn it on again, and repeat that process several times to relax your baby.
What must you avoid when putting your baby to Sleep?
Many parents are unaware of what they should and should not do when putting their baby to sleep. It is important that you follow the right techniques so as not to harm your child in any way. Here is what you must avoid:
– Ignoring Baby’s Sleep Cues:
One main mistake most parents make is ignoring their baby’s sleep cues. Most babies will stop trying to fall asleep on their own after an hour or two, at which point they need some help from mom or dad. Don’t wait too long to offer this assistance because if the child wakes up before getting the rest he needs, he’ll be cranky and find it difficult to get back down again. If your baby hasn’t started showing signs of fatigue, then don’t worry, he/she will let you know when she needs help sleeping.
– Creating Sleep Crutches:
Parents also make the mistake of creating sleep crutches for themselves by always doing something like rocking, nursing, or singing when their little one falls asleep. Doing these things every time may create an association between these actions and falling asleep in the brain of your little one.
– Irregular bedtime routine:
The best way to help your child fall asleep is by having an organized and predictable bedtime routine. By sticking with a consistent routine every night, your child will learn that following certain steps is what leads him/her to bedtime and eventually to sleep. Consistency is key when you are trying to create habits, especially for children.
– Picking Your Baby Up Whenever He/she Cries:
Parents often think that picking their child up every time he/she cries will help them fall asleep. In actuality, babies learn that their cries have positive outcomes. Parents inadvertently reward their child for crying by picking them up, which will teach them that crying is an effective way of getting what they want. So next time your baby starts crying, try calming them without picking them up first. You can pat their bottom gently while speaking softly to reassure and calm them.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the only thing you need is patience. Babies can be stubborn and hard to handle at times, but with a lot of love and care, they will eventually fall asleep. Don’t get too frustrated if your baby doesn’t fall asleep immediately after reading this blog post because it may take a few more minutes than usual. If all else fails, try singing softly or rocking them gently until they fall asleep. Good luck!
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