Top 7 Sleep Tips for Infants from a Certified Sleep Consultant

I remember so clearly the sleepless nights. Even though we have challenging nights here and there with a 3.5 year old, nothing compares to those first few months, or even the first year! I wanted to share some nuggets of wisdom that I learned over my journey as a mom and as a certified sleep consultant; tips that can take your nights from restless to restful! The thing is….when your baby isn’t sleeping, NO ONE in the house is happy. Parents aren’t sleeping, baby isn’t sleeping, and sometimes even older siblings are being woken up as well! No one can function to their best ability without the proper rest you need, which means you can’t be the mama you want to be without enough sleep.

This blog post was written specifically with infants ages 2-8 months in mind, but can be applied to babies anywhere from birth to 2 years with good results. And if you try all of these tips and your baby STILL isn’t sleeping…I am here to help! Some (or dare I say, most) babies need a little bit of extra support than a generic blog post can give, because every baby is so different…which is wonderful, but can make sleep challenging when all of the advice you are given is a blanket statement. My passion in life is to get your baby sleeping so that you can be the mama you want to be, your baby can get the sleep they need to develop, and your whole house can feel the peaceful aftermath and cohesion of well rested nights. So with that being said, let’s get into the top 7 things you can be doing to help your infant sleep through the night!

Follow the right sleep schedule. Make sure you are following your baby’s age appropriate wake windows so that baby isn’t over-tired or under-tired by bedtime.

Create a consistent bedtime routine. Infants can recognize routines as early as 8 weeks, so include the same things before bed every night. For example; bath, lotion, pj’s and sleep sack, feed, read, sing, bed.

Create a sleep-friendly environment. Make the environment cool, dark, and loud- sound machines are key! Make sure baby is in their own sleep space (like a crib, bassinet, or packnplay), on their back, alone, with nothing else in the space with them.

Practice tummy time/get enough activity in during the day. Tummy time not only supports your baby’s physical development but also helps with their sleep. Regular tummy time during the day can reduce discomfort caused by gas and promote better digestion, making it easier for your baby to settle for sleep. Regular activity can also help fill their tired tank for they are ready for bed!

Know what to look for and be patient during sleep regressions. They are common at different stages of infancy and can cause disruptions to your baby’s sleep routine. Be patient and maintain consistency; avoid introducing new sleep habits that you might need to break later. And hang in there- most regressions resolve themselves within a few weeks with consistent routines.

Teach self-soothing techniques. This is something you can approach many different ways, and I can work one on one with you on introducing this in a way that fits your family and parenting style best, and that feels RIGHT for your mama heart!

Lastly….Trust your mama instincts! No one knows your baby like you do. Often times, mamas know what their baby needs but they hesitate, and question their instincts. Trust your gut- you are exactly the mama that your baby needs.

I hope this was helpful! If you’d like more tips like this, check out my FREE Rested Days and Nights Guide here for more helpful sleep tips for baby AND for mama!

Happy sleeping, friend!