Some babies sleep very lightly, take long time to go to sleep or wake up often. Some points for getting your baby to sleep & products that helps in putting them to sleep.
Set a pattern:
A regular daily routine always helps in making the baby sleep restfully on time and for longer stretches of time. Babies feel more comfortable and settle easily if a certain pattern of bedtime rituals is followed at same time, in same order. Simple things like a massage or a bath, followed by nightclothes and a story or lullaby should help getting your baby to sleep. Putting the baby to sleep should not be delayed, as babies get tired and cannot settle easily.
Products: a) Rocking chair or glider: Rocking gently with a lullaby or a bedtime story could settle the baby quickly for the night.
b) Bedtime stories & bath accessories, like soft towels; also comfortable night clothes.
Snoozing for light sleepers:
When some babies wakeup with a slightest sound, it is essential to try to make him sleep in spite of the household sounds.
Products:a) White noise: A household machine, like fan or vacuum cleaner can continue providing a monotonous sound and it could make the other noises (like phone, TV, outside traffic etc) less distracting. Humming sort of sounds can be comforting for babies. Sounds like heartbeats, rolling ocean etc are available in commercial devices.
b) Baby monitors are available which can do away with repeated checks on a sleeping baby and thus increasing chances of waking a light sleeper.
Maintaining temperature:
Each baby differs in his temperature requirement. But the baby should not be sweating profusely nor should his hands & feet turn cold. Quilts, comforters, heavy blankets, soft toys or pillows etc should be avoided as this increases risk of SIDS.
Products: Wearable blanket: It is a sleeveless sleeping bag which is closed at the bottom, so the baby can’t kick it off and unlike loose blanket, it cannot ride up to cover baby’s face causing suffocation.
Having baby near at nights:
If the baby is sleeping in the same room as parents, it is convenient for nighttime feeds and also for keeping an eye on sleeping baby.
Products: Bassinet: Meant for small babies. Available in two types: On wheels, this can be moved to any part of the house or a bedside bassinet that can be attached to the bed.
Allow baby to go to sleep by himself:
While getting your baby to sleep, it is better to put baby down on his bed while he is sleepy but not totally asleep. This way, he can learn to go back to sleep on his own whenever he wakes up during night. If a drowsy baby is put on the bed to sleep, it helps to have something, like a nightlamp etc, to look at. Looking at such things, baby can go to sleep without much fuss.
Products: Many commercial products are available, like Mobiles that spin and have soothing music or night-lights that show different shapes on the ceiling or light up aquariums etc.
