Getting a baby to sleep through the night is a magical event and worth celebrating once it does occur. Even if it is a fluke thing that only happens once in a blue moon it is joyous for both parents and baby. Having a well rested baby means that the rest of the family is well rested as well. Unless you are a mother like me, who seems to worry as to why my baby isn't waking up. That could be a problem that moms around the world just need to work on for themselves. Many moms are very light sleepers as it is, but a new mom who is a light sleeper suddenly becomes even a lighter sleeper. Hearing every creek or feather drop in the house can be frustrating to moms who just need a good night sleep. So getting back to the real topic at hand, how does a mom and dad get their baby to sleep in their own crib at a very young age, and sleep through the night?
The key with getting a baby to sleep through the night, on their own, in their own crib, at a young age, is very challenging. Many times a baby will fall asleep when being nursed or bottle fed, which makes it difficult to transfer the baby from a parents warm cozy arms, to a cold unwanted mattress. Doctors will tell you that putting a baby in their own crib awake is the simple solution but really, is it really that easy? You are bound to have lots of tears, between you and baby. I have had the experience several times of letting my baby cry, only to go to their rescue and save the day by holding and rocking back to sleep. Once baby is asleep in your arms, once again you are at the risk of waking the sleeping beauty when transferring baby to crib. So the real question, when is tough love the answer to just let your baby cry it out?
Many doctors and parents will tell you that it is important for baby to self soothe. It is really important that you are not doing all the soothing for baby. Of course you always must keep in mind the age of your child. A very new infant needs to be rescued, cuddled, and soothed in the first several weeks of life. They need to know Mommy or Daddy will be there for them. Once baby is about four months old it is time to start letting go and letting baby cry it out. Keep in mind, baby must be well fed, burped, and wearing a dry diaper. Once you have ruled out all reasons why a baby might be crying, it is time to let baby cry themselves to sleep. Many times, baby might be tired and needs a good night sleep or nap to feel better. Regardless of nap time or bedtime the same rule applies, let baby cry.
Granted there are a few tricks and tips to keep in mind. You don't want to stick baby in bed and walk away for the night. Many parents will try the timing method. Start with what number of minutes you can stand to listen to the cries. You might wait for one to three minutes the first time before you check on baby. After you cuddle, pat, or calm baby, it is time to leave again. This will be very hard to walk away, but putting baby back in bed and walking out is the best method. This time wait a little longer.
Waiting five minutes and repeat the process, adding longer periods of time each check. Baby will eventually get worn out and fall asleep. It could take 30-90 minutes of crying, checking the clock, and checking on baby before your child will go to sleep. Don't let baby win. Stick to your guns. You are the parent. Get ear plugs, call a friend on the phone, blow dry your hair, but do something to occupy the time. Sitting by the door and listening to the cries can be horrible for new moms and dads. It really will only take a few nights of this process, before baby realizes, it's time for bed, and you mean it.
Mason is a father of 3 and runs the GetParentingTips blog and would love for you to stop by and check it out.
