Helping your child learn to sleep alone can be an essential milestone for him and you. In this blog, we will give you 10 practical tips for guiding your child toward independent sleep.
My name is Kathy, and I am the mother of 8-year-old Walter. It was always a battle to get my son to sleep on his own, and after trying many things, I discovered infant massage with Storybook.
I managed to get my son to fall asleep in his own room in less than 5 minutes without any crying or screaming. I had never been able to do this before. See how I did it! 👀⬇️
1. Create a calming bedtime routine
The question: how to help baby sleep? you can usually solve it with a bedtime routine. let's look at an example:
- 🛀 Bath time! (7:10 - 7:30 pm): Bath time is a calming and soothing activity that helps relax the child's muscles and prepare them for sleep.
- 👚Let's get into our pajamas! (7:30 - 7:35 pm): Changing into pajamas signifies a shift from daytime activities to bedtime, signaling the child that it's time to relax and prepare for sleep.
- 🍎 Let's eat something (7:35 - 8:00 pm): A light snack can help prevent hunger pangs during the night and promote uninterrupted sleep.
- 🦷 Brush your teeth (8:00 - 8:10 p.m.): Brushing teeth promotes good oral hygiene and signals the end of the day.
- 📚 Storytelling massage in Storybook (8:10 - 9:00 pm): Whether you're engaging in storytelling or getting a gentle massage, the StoryBook App will help. It can be soothing and enjoyable. It promotes relaxation and a positive association with bedtime.
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- 💤 And...to Sleep ... Zzz... (9:00 pm ➔) : Finally, drifting off to sleep is the culmination of the bedtime routine, allowing the child to transition from wakefulness to rest.
2. Address underlying issues
Attending to underlying problems in general is a good step.
For example; “night waking toddlers” reassure the child that everything is fine and that you are nearby. However, too much interaction can be counterproductive, so nighttime “visits” should be brief and boring for the child.
3. Create a comfortable sleep environment
Creating a conducive environment for sleep is crucial. This can be achieved using blackout curtains to keep out the light, helping your little one fall asleep for naps and bedtime.
A white noise machine can also be beneficial. It provides a consistent, soothing sound that can help mask other noises and promote sleep.
4. Address nighttime fears
Nighttime fears can be a common issue in children. One way to help your child overcome these fears is through physical affection, which can help switch off separation anxiety.
In some cases, providing a comforting toy, like a huggy puppy, can help reduce nighttime fears and sleep problems.
“73.3% of children between 4 and 12 years of age report at least mild nighttime fear.”
💡 NIH
5. Introduce gradual changes to the sleeping arrangement
The question of how to help my toddler sleep through the night is frequently asked, and a viable solution is to make minor adjustments to the sleep routine, which can have positive effects.
For example, reducing the time parents spend soothing their baby when he or she wakes up at night or trying a sleep training method. Remember that every baby is unique, so finding what works best for your little one is essential.
6. Encourage children to own their bedtime routine
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can signal your baby that it's time to sleep and prepare them for a restful night. Soothing methods such as swaddling, white noise, and gentle rocking can also help your baby feel calm and secure before bedtime
7. Provide emotional support during the transition
Providing emotional support to the child is essential during any change in the sleep routine or environment. To do this, reassure your child that everything is going well and that you are close by, especially if he or she wakes up at night. This is some of the best advice for new parents.
8. Use a positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool in encouraging desired behaviors. This could be as simple as praising your child when they follow their bedtime routine or sleep through the night.
9. Consider sleep training methods
Sleep training methods can be considered if your child has persistent sleep issues. However, it's essential to choose an approach that aligns with your parenting philosophy and your baby's needs .
“With some sleep training methods, babies can sleep on their own within a matter of days.”
💡 Sleep Foundation
10. Set clear boundaries
Setting clear boundaries is crucial for a successful sleep routine. This could involve specific bedtimes, limiting the amount of interaction during nighttime wake-ups, or setting rules about staying in bed until a particular time in the morning.
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Written By
Francisco Cornejo, a dynamic entrepreneur with a Masters in Communication from RMIT University in Australia, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Storybook. As a serial entrepreneur, he notably served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Honda Motors in Latin America, shaping the brand's regional presence. Passionate about family well-being and communication, Francisco leads Storybook in its mission to improve children's health globally, aiming to create positive impacts in both corporate and societal spheres.
Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Lorena Koppel is a distinguished Child Clinical Psychologist based in Azuay, Ecuador, with over 26 years of experience at Monte Sinaí Hospital. She specializes in treating emotional disorders in children and adolescents, providing family counseling, and integrating theoretical and practical approaches in clinical psychology.
References
- Kopcsó, K., Láng, A., & Coffman, M. F. (2021). Reducing the Nighttime Fears of Young Children Through a Brief Parent-Delivered Treatment—Effectiveness of the Hungarian Version of Uncle Lightfoot. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01103-4
- Sleep Training. (2020, December 17). Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/sleep-training#:~:text=With%20some%20sleep%20training%20methods%2C%20babies%20can%20sleep%20on%20their%20own%20within%20a%20matter%20of%20days.
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