Helping Your Baby Get to Sleep

By Tara C Fry

Getting your baby to sleep is sometimes a difficult assignment, and there are a variety of reasons why your baby won't sleep.

The reasons could vary, anything from colic to simply being overly stimulated. It's a frustrating situation regardless of the reason. Just remember that you aren't the only parents experiencing this difficulty.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as encouraging them to settle down, relaxing them with a gentle massage, and perhaps a warm bath with soft calm lighting.

One of the reasons a baby won't sleep is that they are just too hot in their crib or bassinet. If you are hot, it's hard for you to sleep as well, and your baby is no different. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself for the conditions. The temperature in the baby's room should be around 70 degrees, too high or too low of a temperature will prevent them from getting comfortable.

Another possibility why your baby won't sleep is that something is irritating them. They just can't say "hey this sleeper itches," or "I need a diaper change," but crying is a way they will definitely let you know.

Your baby's clothing could be a potential irritant. It's possible that you need to try a different detergent.

Teething is another reason why your baby could be having sleeping problems. This may begin to start about three months or so. If this is the case, a good idea before trying anything on your own is to take her in and ask the doctor for a recommendation.

Babies are used to repetitive sounds. There are a couple of ways to solve this. Playing some continuous soothing music, like the sounds of rain, or gentle sounds of ocean waves, are just a couple examples you can use. Or even recording yourself reading a bedtime story and setting it on continuous play is another. These repetitive sounds soothe and relax your baby.

Maybe the reason your baby won't sleep is simply that she isn't tired. Walk around with them, rock them gently, or as a last resort, put them in the car and drive around. The gentle vibrations of the car's motor and the motion of driving will often put them to sleep right away. - 29958

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