By Claire Lerner and Rebecca Parlakian
Read below about ways to help your child learn to fall asleep (and fall back to sleep) beginning from the earliest months of life.
Keep it routine.
Learning how to predict what will happen next is very important for young children as it helps them feel secure and in control of their world. Bedtime routines help babies learn when it’s time to go to sleep. Having a bedtime routine means doing the same thing as much as possible every time you put your baby to sleep. Families will have different routines based on their culture and the needs of their individual child. What’s most important is that the routine stays basically the same from day to day, and that it is comforting, loving, and relaxing for your child.
Read the signs.
Watch for the ways your baby lets you know he is tired. Yawning is the most obvious hint, but there are others, too. Your baby may have a certain sleepy cry, or he may pull on his ear, rub his eyes, or be fussy. When you see these signs, slow things down and start your bedtime routine.
Consider what’s going on in your child’s life.
There are situations and events that can lead to or worsen sleep problems (e.g.separation from a parent, a new sibling, or a new caregiver). Even exciting milestones, such as learning a new skill (e.g.walking), can temporarily disrupt your child’s sleep. When this happens, be patient and consistent, and try to maintain your bedtime routine. With time and patience, your child’s sleep will likely get back on track.
Take into account your child’s temperament.
Different babies develop self-soothing skills at different rates and in different ways. The more reactive or intense your baby is, the more challenging it may be for her to soothe herself. These babies often need more help to be calmed. Babies who are less reactive tend to be able to handle minor stresses, such as a sudden loud noise, and therefore find it easier to fall asleep on their own.
Be consistent.
Time and patience are needed when teaching your child any new skill. Consistency helps children learn what to expect. If you change your response from night to night, it is confusing and makes it more difficult for your baby to adapt. When you are consistent in what you do at bedtime and nap-time, you help your baby learn new bedtime skills more quickly and easily.
