Baby sleep problems is one of the most frequent concerns of new parents. This extends throughout the first year of their baby, and can be a real nightmare for the parents, if they could just get some sleep.
The problems can be very different from one set of parents and baby, to the next. Here are a few common issues and some ideas to try and help.
Does your baby only want to sleep while you hold, carry, or rock them? Your baby has probably developed an association with the feeling of being held, and the motion with falling asleep and staying asleep. You are going to need to work on changing this association, replacing it with with a new one.
The first thing to do is to introduce the new association. Possibly using music, ocean sounds, or the sound of heartbeats, to give an audible association to sleeping. Try having the sound on only when you are trying to get your baby to sleep, and while they are sleeping. After you have used the sound in combination with your normal routine for a few days, try to use only the sound to help them fall asleep. You may need to slowly ween them off of the rocking or holding, but try to make the sound the preferred association. This may take a couple weeks to accomplish, so do not start feeling anxious in one or two days.
One of the most common baby sleep problems are the babies who fall asleep in the car seat, and then wake up when taken out. We all know people who take their babies out for a drive to get them to sleep. Some parents drive around for an hour or more to let their baby sleep. What is so magical about the car seat?
The car seat provides a few things your baby loves. The first thing is a tucked in, secure feeling. The second thing is constant motion and bouncing. The last item in the magic is the noise of the car and the road. This combination is magical to many babies. Why not simulate the magic right in your home? You can use a baby swing to have the motion and use blankets and the belt to have them safely tucked in. What about the noise? You could use a DVD filled with white noise, or even record the sound of your car as you drive around with the baby to play back to them. With a little practice you can start removing one item at a time until you are just using the sounds to help your baby sleep. Not only are you saving gas, but you are getting your freedom back.
Most baby sleep problems are caused by associations your baby has developed to sleeping. You need to identify what the stimulants are, and then try to reproduce or replace them with love and patience. With a little effort on your part you will have a baby who has better sleeping patterns quickly.