Help! My Newborn Only Sleeps When Held!
One of the most common questions we get when chatting with brand new parents is how do I teach my newborn to sleep in their bassinet? First, I want to assure you that the desire to sleep in your arms, in the wrap, on the pillow etc. is completely normal. That little baby has spent 9 months snuggled up in mom’s womb, sleeping independently in a bassinet or crib is a big transition!
While independent sleep can be a tough skill to learn, it is absolutely essential. Strollers, wraps and bouncers are only safe while the baby is being supervised, and because mom and dad need to sleep at night as well, baby needs to be able to sleep independently in a safe space.
Below I have outlined some strategies that can help ease the transition to independent sleep for your newborn. This isn’t to say there won’t be some crying. They would much rather sleep in your arms and it’s okay for them to express that, but they are also capable of learning new skills even at such a young age!
Tips to Help
Place a shirt you’ve recently worn in the bassinet, and remove it just before the baby is laid down. This will help the bassinet to smell like you and feel more familiar.
30 minutes before bed or naptime, put a heating pad in the baby's sleep space. This will create a warm and cozy feeling, making their sleep space more inviting.
Learn your baby’s sleepy cues and follow them. Aim to lay you baby down as soon as they start to show you they are tired. A baby who is over or undertired will have a much more difficult time falling asleep.
Offer some help! Just because you want them sleeping in their own space doesn’t mean they have to get there completely on their own. You can sit next to your baby, or pat and rub their tummy until they fall asleep.
If your baby is under 12 weeks and not showing signs of rolling, swaddle them. The swaddle creates that snug and secure feeling they’re craving.
Invest in a sound machine. White noise mimics what they heard in the womb and will help soothe them to sleep.
Implement a bedtime routine. It sounds silly with a newborn, but trust me it works. When a consistent bedtime routine is repeated each night babies pick on the nighttime cues.
Much of those first few months are about survival, and there will be days (and nights) that are more difficult, and that’s okay. Laying the foundation for independent sleep in the beginning will make your life much easier as they get older though!
