Tips for Setting a Sleep Schedule for Babies

By roma kumari - Updated: March 3, 2020

Motherhood is a beautiful journey, no doubts about that, but it takes a lot to feel the bliss. The first few months post-delivery is like a nightmare. I never thought it would be so difficult. To be honest, I did not feel the wowness at the very first time. Instead, it happened gradually over time. Physical pain, latching problem, sore breasts and then the sleepless nights!

I have always been a person who sleeps early in the night. So, disturbed sleep was one thing that was annoying me the most. The very first question I asked the paediatrician was how to make them sleep. She explained it so nicely, said babies don’t know the difference between day and night, so we have to make them realise it… and, that’s it!

I started practising it and ta-da! By the time Ahana, my daughter who’s currently 2.6-years-old, was two months old, she used to fall asleep by 8:30 or 8:40 PM every night. Yes, she did wakeup in between for feeds, but it was like a blessing with no more crying till 1:00 or 2:00 AM. I used to sleep happily by 10:00 PM after breastfeeding her, and we could manage the initial six months without sleep deprivation.

So, here are my few tips which may help you because even now, Ahana sleeps by 9:30 or 10:00 PM and wakes up by 6:30 or 7:00 AM.

1. Let your babies be active through the day time. Talk to them play with them. Yes, babies will be sleeping most of the time initially, but don’t just feed them to put them to sleep. Take them out, sing for them, play some music, etc.
2. It is recommended that you take babies out for a walk. I used to take her out in the mornings and the evenings.
3. After 6:30 or 7:00 PM, depending on the sunset time, I used to dim the lights and play some soft music. This was suggested by the paediatrician.
4. Bathe your baby before bedtime. I used to give my daughter a warm water bath around 8:00 PM, followed by a good massage, which I do even now, post-dinner. Earlier, it was lullabies post-massage, and now it’s storytime along with massage.
5. Be consistent…yes, that’s the key! If you follow it for a week and then break it, it’s not going to help. It was difficult for me too initially, but there was nothing more fruitful than a baby sleeping on time.
6. Even if you are going out or having to get together at home, stick to your child’s routine so that you can enjoy your time while your baby is sleeping peacefully.
7. Our kids imitate us, so if you have a habit of staying up late, your baby will not sleep early. Maintain a healthy sleep routine from your end as well.

Hoping these tips help you put a sleeping routine for your baby.

Loads of love and sound sleep from Roma and Ahana♥️

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