You can swaddle your newborn until they’re around 2 months old or they start to roll over.
This is also a great trick to try if you don’t want to pick up your baby and walk with them. Sometimes, a few comforting pats on the back are all your baby needs to feel reassured.
To massage their lower body, massage the soles of your baby’s feet and do long strokes up the baby’s leg. For the upper body, start at the shoulders and stroke inwards towards the chest. Gently rub their face, including her forehead, the bridge of her nose, and her head. [5] X Research source
Don’t leave a pacifier that’s attached to a cord with a clip in your baby’s crib since they could choke on the cord. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is established—about 3 or 4 weeks after birth—before you offer a pacifier. This can prevent nipple confusion, where your baby struggles to switch between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding or using the pacifier.
Walking around with them in your arms or in a carrier Rocking them gently in a chair or in your arms Singing a song Playing quiet music
Consider dimming the lights during your pre-bed routine to reduce your baby’s exposure to light before it’s time to sleep. Keep the room dark all night. Nighttime exposure to artificial light can suppress the body’s production of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. [7] X Research source
It’s tempting to put blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows in the crib to make it comfy, but leave these out. Instead, just cover the mattress with a fitted sheet and lay your baby in the crib so they’re on their back. This can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
If your baby seems like they’re in a lot of pain—crying, not eating well, pulling on their ears—ask your pediatrician if it’s okay to give your baby infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen. They can tell you how much medication to give and how often to dose them.
You may have been told to put cereal in your baby’s last bottle because it supposedly keeps their belly full for longer. However, doctors found that it can actually make them more restless since they’re more likely to have gas pain.
When you check on your baby at night, try not to engage them too much or they may become really alert. For example, instead of talking to them a lot or making lots of eye contact, hum a soothing song and gently rub their back or stroke their head. Feel your baby’s diaper through their pajamas. If it’s soiled or heavy with wetness, change it, but if it doesn’t feel very wet, wait until the morning.
Whatever you choose to include in your baby’s bedtime routine, make sure it’s calming so your baby unwinds. You’ll probably find that you look forward to this peaceful time, too! Be consistent so your baby starts to expect soothing downtime before they sleep.
Rubbing their eyes Fussing and clinging Pulling at their ears Yawning Drooping eyelids Making sucking noises
This also makes it a lot easier for the baby to soothe itself and fall back asleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. Reassure your baby when you lay them down. Rest your hand on their stomach or head for a few seconds so they know you’re nearby.
Once your baby is around 4 months old, they should be able to sleep for a 5-hour stretch, so sleep training is possible.
