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If you have ever talked to anyone about babies. Then most people have their own ‘sworn by’ technique of how you can soothe your newborn to sleep. Like most other things actually. I have two children now, things that worked for my first baby just didn’t work for my second. So, I thought it was important for you to know a few different techniques on how to get your newborn to sleep so that you can try another one if something doesn’t work.
I found that by combining everything that worked for both my children I have five different ways you can help to get your newborn to sleep, whether it’s for a day time nap or a (hopeful) full nights sleep!
5 Ways Tired Mums and Dads can get their Newborn to Sleep
Swaddling
Babies are born with a startle reflex. This is where they throw their arms out, make themselves jump and usually wake themselves up. Swaddling is a really great way to combat this because it keeps their arms tucked in tightly to them. It also reminds your little one of being tucked away nicely inside your belly which in turn soothes and settles them quicker and sooner. I bought these swaddle blankets because they had velcro on them, which means if your baby does wriggle their arms out of it, they don’t just have a mass of blanket around them.
A bouncy chair
This is great for a baby who needs the movement to fall asleep. Just like mine did! instead of wandering the house rocking and bouncing them for (sometimes) hours. You can pop them in the bouncy and bounce them gently with literally just your toe. Perfect for a tired mum or dad. Plus when they are older they learn that kicking their legs makes it bounce, so they actually make themselves fall asleep. BONUS!
Related: 20 Newborn Tips First Time Parents.
White noise machine
White noise has been or lifesaver at bedtime. So much so that we now can’t sleep without it on! This particular sleep aid has a cry sensor, so if she is unsettled it will trigger the white noise to settle her back down again. This means more sleep for us and a more settled sleeping, baby. This is apparently similar to the noise that your baby has heard for the past 9 months. It’s familiar and soothing.
These simple tips on newborn sleep are amazing! #newborn #baby #newmums #firsttimeparents #tiredmums Click To Tweet
Rocking
Whether its a rocking crib or in your arms, rocking is also great to soothe your newborn to sleep. The movement will remind them of being in the womb and the constant movement throughout the day, which is usually why babies wake up when you go to bed before they are born!
Your Scent
Putting a t-shirt you have worn over the mattress of your baby’s cot has saved some mums and dads from yet another sleepless night. Mums scent is probably the number one comfort for your baby. It’s easy! Pop your shirt over the mattress as if the mattress is wearing it. Just make sure that it’s a plain t-shirt, with nothing on it that your baby could get tangled in, or anything they could choke on.
Now it’s your turn to help expand this list and help EVEN more tired parents that are longing for more than two hours sleep at a time. Tell us in the comments how you got your newborn to sleep and pin an image from below.