How to Get Babies to Sleep Through the Night
Here are easy tips on how to get babies to sleep through the night. Do you feel like a walking zombie because your baby is not sleeping steadily through the night? Interrupted sleep causes serious health problems for everyone in your family, plus a sleep deficit ruins your mood for days on end.
First: Set up a bedtime routine -- and stick to it
Nightly routines are extremely soothing to babies, who often get upset or frightened by new, unexpected circumstances. Make a point of doing the same things at the same time every night, whether it is a bath, a bottle or the same goodnight story. The point is to help your baby understand that the day is coming to an end.
Second: Steer clear of added sugars late in the day
If your baby is already eating some baby foods or even solid foods, it is important that he or she is not getting extra sugar in the afternoon or evening that causes a second wind just when you are getting ready for bed. Check those nutrition labels carefully, and try to cut back on sugar as much as possible.
Third: Put your baby to bed before s/he falls asleep
This sounds really basic, but if your baby is falling asleep in your arms or lap every night, of course s/he gets upset waking up in an unfamiliar place. Put your baby in his or her crib at the first sign of dozing to establish that bed is where sleeping is done.