How to Get Newborns to Sleep Without Being Held: Tips and Tricks

Introduction

Having a newborn is a wonderful experience but it can also be exhausting. One of the biggest challenges for new parents is trying to get their newborn to sleep without having to hold them. It’s not uncommon for babies to become so accustomed to being held that they struggle to sleep in their own beds. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to help your baby learn to sleep independently.

Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine

One of the best ways to encourage your newborn to sleep without being held is to establish a consistent bedtime routine. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that infants who followed a regular bedtime routine fell asleep faster, slept longer, and woke up fewer times during the night than those without a consistent bedtime routine.¹ Here are some tips for creating a calming bedtime routine:

Create a Calming Atmosphere

Before beginning your bedtime routine, make sure the environment is calm and inviting. Dim the lights, turn off electronics, and close the curtains. You can also play soothing music or soft white noise in the background.

Set the Same Time for Bed Each Night

It’s important to set a consistent bedtime each night. This helps your baby’s body adjust to the same schedule and makes it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. Try to stick to the same bedtime even on weekends or days when you’re out of the house.

Use a Soothing Routine

Creating a soothing bedtime routine will help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Consider giving your baby a warm bath, reading a book together, singing a lullaby, or cuddling for a few minutes before putting them down. Doing these activities in the same order each night will help your baby understand that it’s time for sleep.

Keep the Nursery Environment Dark and Quiet

The environment in your baby’s nursery can have a big impact on their ability to sleep. To help your baby sleep better, it’s important to keep the room dark and quiet. Here are some tips for creating a peaceful nursery environment:

Utilize Blackout Curtains or Blinds

To keep the room as dark as possible, consider using blackout curtains or blinds. These are designed to block out light from outside and create a peaceful atmosphere in the room.

Minimize Noise in the Room

Babies can be easily disturbed by noise, so it’s important to keep the room as quiet as possible. Turn off any fans or air conditioners and avoid playing loud music or television shows in the nursery.

Use White Noise to Create a Calming Atmosphere

White noise can be a great way to create a calming atmosphere in your baby’s nursery. Studies have shown that white noise can help babies sleep better and reduce the amount of time it takes for them to fall asleep.² Here are some tips for using white noise to help your baby sleep:

Explain Why White Noise Works

White noise works by masking other noises that might wake your baby up. For example, if there are loud noises outside or people talking in the next room, the white noise will help to muffle those sounds and make it easier for your baby to sleep.

Suggest Ways to Use White Noise

There are several ways you can use white noise to help your baby sleep. You can buy a white noise machine, download an app on your phone, or find white noise videos online. You can also make your own white noise by running a fan or using a sound machine.

Swaddle Your Baby for Comfort

Swaddling can be a great way to make your baby feel secure and comfortable. Swaddling helps to recreate the feeling of being in the womb and can help your baby sleep better. Here are some tips for swaddling your baby:

Describe How to Swaddle a Baby

Swaddling involves wrapping your baby in a blanket or cloth in a way that keeps their arms and legs close to their body. Make sure the blanket is not too tight and leave enough room for your baby to move their hips and legs. You can also use specialized swaddling blankets with Velcro straps to make it easier to swaddle your baby.

Explain Why Swaddling Helps Babies Sleep

Swaddling helps babies feel safe and secure, which can make it easier for them to settle down and fall asleep. It also helps to keep your baby’s arms and legs from flailing around, which can disturb their sleep.

Rock or Pat Your Baby Gently Before Putting Them Down

Rocking or patting your baby gently before putting them down can help to soothe them and make them more likely to sleep without being held. Here are some tips for rocking or patting your baby:

Describe How to Rock or Pat Your Baby

Gently rock your baby in your arms or lay them down and pat their back or bottom. You can also sing a lullaby or talk softly to your baby while you’re rocking or patting them.

Explain Why This Helps Them Sleep Better

Rocking or patting your baby before putting them down helps to soothe them and make them feel secure. This can help them to relax and make it easier for them to drift off to sleep.

Conclusion

Getting your newborn to sleep without being held can be a challenge, but with a little patience and the right strategies, you can help your baby learn to sleep independently. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, keeping the nursery environment dark and quiet, using white noise, swaddling your baby for comfort, and rocking or patting them before putting them down can all help your baby sleep better. Every baby is different, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for your little one.