5 tips for getting your baby to sleep alone

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Remove things from your baby’s room that may stimulate them before bed. Televisions, toys that produce sound when they’re played with and bright lights are all things that will keep your baby awake. The room should be dark, warm (but not too warm!) and silent. If your baby struggles to sleep in full darkness, leave a lamp with a dim glow burning.

Give your baby a small bottle or snack before bed to ensure that they won’t wake up hungry during the night.
Don’t overfeed your little darling! This can cause your baby discomfort and prevent them from having a full and satisfying sleep.

Early bedtime is best. It might sound like a contradiction, but an overtired baby has a harder time falling asleep than a baby who has been put down early.
Create a routine that you’ll repeat every night when you put your little bundle to sleep.
Start with a warm bath – it’s a great way to get your baby to relax, and it’s an opportunity for you to bond. A typical routine could be a warm bath, a story, a lullaby and then sleep.
Be consistent in your approach; your little one will be snoozing alone in no time.

Create a phrase or a relaxing sound that you’ll say when it’s time for bed, and then repeat while your baby is falling asleep. For example, you could say “It’s sleepy time”, sing them a line from a lullaby or shush them until they fall asleep. Rock and pat the baby while you’re using the phrase to induce relaxation.
Introduce your baby to their crib slowly by first getting them to nap in it during the day. Sleeping alone in a dark room can be terrifying for any child. If your baby falls asleep in their crib during the day, they’ll create a positive association before you’ve started leaving them alone at night.
Place your baby’s favourite stuffed toys and blankets in their crib. Having comfortable, familiar objects around them will make the transition into sleeping alone much easier.

It’s tempting to run into your baby’s room every time they make a sound. Learn to distinguish between their sleep ‘whimpers’ and a real cry. If you pick your baby up every time they make a sound, you’ll be encouraging an erratic and unsatisfying sleep pattern.

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