Sleep struggles are a common but confounding part of raising a baby. The best thing for everyone is a good night’s sleep, but what happens when your baby is crying through the night, unable to self-soothe, or showing signs of sleep regression? We’ve put together a few tips and tricks that will help your baby get some sleep (and you too). If you find these bedtime routines don’t make a difference, contact your doctor to see if there’s a bigger issue at play such as colic. We hope these 5 sleep tips help you soothe your little one at nighttime and give you some much needed time to recharge too!

Read books at bedtime. 

Soothe baby with the sound of your voice by reading aloud a book. To create a calming environment, turn the lights down low in the nursery. You can read with baby in a rocking chair, or read to baby while they rest in the crib. Even at such a young age, babies respond to voices and sounds.  

Try reading a calming storybook to unwind, or even better—a personalized baby book that features the child’s name throughout the story! A book like My Very Own Nursery Rhymes introduces fun rhymes to your little one and spells out their name letter by letter. These books will grow with the child, helping them learn how to spell their own name. Goodnight Little Me is a beautifully personalized lullaby while Reasons Why I Love You is a book that showers the child with endless love!  

 Put baby down drowsy, but awake. 

Find a general time when the child gets drowsy and put them to bed at the same time every day. This creates a consistent bedtime routine. When the child is drowsy, but not asleep, they will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep naturally.  

Black out the room.

Make the nursery as dark as possible, using blackout shades—or duct tape if that’s what you have on hand! This rule is applicable to everyone, not just babies, but we fall alseep faster and deeper when the room is dark. Once the child is in a drowsy state, black out the room and tip toe away so they can drift off in the dark and quiet.  

Keep baby active during the day.

Schedule baby playtime in between nap and feedings. By keeping the child active, you are essentially “tiring them out” so they will desire a longer night’s sleep. Introduce tummy time, sensory play, and outdoor walks in the stroller. Not only does this keep baby active, but it’s also fun bonding time for the whole family! Try this routine for weeks, or even months, to establish a consistent schedule.  

Check on them to determine their wants and needs.

If the baby is crying throughout the night, check to see if they are asking for something. Even if you just fed them a couple hours ago, a baby might be crying because they need another feeding. Some babies get hungry faster, especially if they are experiencing a growth spurt. What else might they need? Sometimes it’s just your company! Babies love to cuddle and snuggle with human contact. Maybe they need a hug, or maybe they just want you in the same room. Some parents and guardians find it helpful to sleep in the same room as their child, because the close contact provides comfort. See if you can read the baby’s cues and find a schedule that works best for your family!