This is a sponsored post with Pampers and Cafe Mom. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.
Want to know how to put baby to sleep? You’re not alone. All moms wonder the same thing, especially in the first 36 months. Things are constantly changing as a baby grows, and many times, sleep can be different from one night to the next as their little bodies change. As a mom of three, I know this all too well. That’s why I’ve put together some tips on how to put baby to sleep so they can grow big and strong, and moms can maintain their sanity.
How to Put Baby to Sleep Easily
One thing to know about babies in the first three years is that sleep can sometimes be hard to come by. Whether they’re colicky or they have a wet diaper or they’re just not feeling bed time that night, knowing how to put baby to sleep can be tricky, but it’s also key to a healthy well rested little one.
First 12 Months
During the first 12 months, getting your baby to sleep is all about the basics. The first things you need to address are the basics of a comfortable baby. Make sure your little one is topped off with nom noms. Make sure he or she is all burped out. Make sure the diaper is clean and dry. Nothing will wake a baby up faster than a rumbling tummy or a soggy diaper, at least which was the case with my kids.
After you’ve got the basics out of the way, you can look into other things to help soothe your little one off to dream land. Soft, soothing music can do wonders to help your little one drift off to sleep. And all that caressing we love to do of soft baby hair and eyebrows? That stuff is golden when it comes to getting your little bundle of joy to sack out for 10 hours.
12 – 24 Months
During this time, knowing how to put baby to sleep gets a little more tricky. At this age, they’re coming into their little baby owns. They’re forming ideas about what they like and what they don’t. This is the time when they might start to cry because you left them in their room alone. Fear not. You can still get your baby to sleep. The basics still apply – food, burping, diaper. Even the soothing sounds of a baby mobile or the like are still in order. However, this is the age that you can start throwing in story time or a little pre-bed snuggle time to get the kiddos relaxed and ready to go to sleep. That extra affection right before bed can help reassure them that, although you’ll be in another room, they’re still safe and secure.
24 -36 Months
Now it gets dicey. This is the time when knowing how to put baby to sleep becomes the greatest challenge. Toddlers can be supreme beings of love or little demons bent on devouring your soul, depending on what mood they’re in, and bed time can sometimes become a battle. Even now, stick to the basics of feeding and a super clean diaper. You don’t really need to burp at this point. LOL
Aside from the basics, story time is no longer an option. It’s a requirement. Toddlers need lots of attention. They need a metric ton of it, in fact. A bedtime story is great bonding time and a great way to give them that attention they’re craving. After that, a little snuggle time can be the icing on the bed time cake. One thing to note about this age is that all this stuff may or may not work. There will be times when you have to weather the storm of toddlerdom, but overall, this approach is a solid foundation for how to put baby to sleep, even at this age.
Key Points Recap
A Full Tummy
Always put your baby to sleep on a full stomach. If they get hungry in the night, they WILL wake up. Pro tip: A lot of times, once they’re up, they’re up. You don’t want that.
Burping
Burping for the first 2 years. You do not want your child waking up in the night from gas. That’s a surefire way to kill any sort of rest you or your baby might have gotten.
Soothing Sounds
Soothing sounds. If you want to know how to put baby to sleep easily, soothing sounds are absolutely key for the first 2 years. They have a magical way of sending the kiddos off to dreamland.
Story Time and Snuggles
For the older ages, the answer to how to put baby to sleep can only be answered with story time and pre-bedtime snuggles.
A Great Diaper
At any age, a clean diaper is your best friend for sleep time. Babies hate to be soiled, and they’ll let you know all about it whether it’s 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning. One of the best ways to keep your baby dry and happy all night is by using a diaper designed for the long haul. Pampers Baby Dry Diapers are designed to keep baby dry and comfortable all night. These diapers feature stretchy sides for wearable comfort. They also boast 3 layers of absorbency versus the standard 2 for 12 hour protection. They’re a great weapon in the bed time arsenal.
Do you have any tips on how to put baby to sleep? How has your bedtime experience with your kids been? I’d love to know.