Baby, Go to Sleep!

As you watch the video, keep in mind that every infant’s sleep pattern is different. Some sleep through the night earlier than others, some children sleep on their own in a crib, others co-sleep with parents. No matter what, making bedtime a soothing and secure experience from the very beginning will help encourage good sleep patterns. Consider these ideas:

• Give baby a warm, calming bath before bed. Wiping off their hands and faces with a warm washcloth can have a calming effect, too.
• Make sure children have full tummies of milk or food. Consider making “dinner” 15-30 minutes before bedtime so that they can digest before lying down.
• Encourage siblings to say goodnight to each other at bedtime with a hug, kiss, or special sibling handshake.
• Make sure babies and toddlers are wearing clean diapers.
• Singing a lullaby, looking at a book together, or talking about the day in a soothing voice before bed is a great way to encourage language development and help kids feel safe and secure.
• As babies grow and their brains develop, they will be better able to manage their emotions to self-soothe (for instance, by sucking on a finger or looking at a mobile) and fall back asleep. But this takes time to learn!
• Before putting baby to sleep, make sure the sleep space is free of blankets, bumper pads, toys, and pillows, as they can cover faces and increase risk of suffocation.