- Asleep? Not yet? When will he fall asleep? - how often impatient dads ask such questions to equally impatient mothers, because you can devote yourself to the time when the child is sleeping. But as soon as the mother just stirs, the baby lets you know that he is not sleeping. Some mothers are surprised how their child can not calm down in any way, but if they had been laid, they would have been lying quietly and instantly fell asleep. Each family has its own ritual of going to bed: someone carries a baby in her arms, someone swings with him on a big ball, someone just lies nearby. But not always what works with one child is suitable for another.
We’ll name some tricks for putting your baby to bed, but we’ll immediately warn you that they don’t always work.
Soft touch
Mom picks up a handkerchief of delicate fabric or a paper towel and begins to gently stroke the baby's cheek. The child likes it, he relaxes and gradually falls asleep. It is good to use this method in infancy, older children perceive it as a game and may lose all desire to sleep.
Lullabies
Lullabies are based on the monotonous repetition of the same syllables and sounds (“buy-buy”, “lyuli-lyuli”), they have been intended from time immemorial to calm the child, to let him sleep peacefully. Modern mothers are poorly aware of folk lullabies; they improvise on the go. Often this technique works, especially if combined with the swaying of the baby in her arms or in the crib. But sometimes my mother’s voice is unpleasant, harsh, such singing only annoys the baby, and he begins to act up.
Read
It is very good if parents from an early age instill in the child an interest and love for the book. It is important to choose such a book for the night so that it does not overexcite the baby. These should be short stories or tales with non-aggressive illustrations. With older children, you can read books more authentically, preferably in chapters, so that the child looks forward to the evening, fits easily and listens to the continuation of the story.
Favorite soft toy
Many children have friends - soft toys. They are nice to be pressed to themselves, they warm, as if caressing a child. Many children like to fall asleep with their beloved bear, bunny or dog. But getting older, the child comes up with a plush friend and can completely forget about the dream. You shouldn’t take his pet away, but you can agree that his friend will sit on a high chair and see how he will fall asleep.
Bath at night
Before going to bed, most children bathe in a warm bath.Water has a beneficial effect on the nervous system: the baby relaxes, calms down. It remains only to feed him and put him to bed. But playing in the water with floating toys, blowing soap bubbles, splashing and other entertainments sometimes give vigor to a child who is tired for a day, and he loses the desire to sleep. It is very difficult to lay it after that. Here you can only advise to shift the schedule for taking the bathroom 1-2 at bedtime.
Dried Herb Pillows
Many plants secrete essential oils; in a dried form, they partially retain these properties. Subtle aromas of peppermint, chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, have a sedative effect. But here there are several negative points: pillows with herbs are very uncomfortable, some children have a tendency to allergies and odors can cause an attack.
Behind the closed door
Some mothers believe that reluctance to sleep on their own is a child’s whim. They resolutely leave the room, turning off the light and closing the door behind them. And no cries, cries, requests do not respond. Yes, the child will fall asleep after some time, but this is a very cruel way. To teach a grown-up child to fall asleep on their own, you need to gradually: the kids are afraid of the dark, afraid of being alone, they want mom's warmth. Leave a small nightlight, lie down with the child, promise to come in a minute and, wishing good night, leave the bedroom. Gradually, the child will learn to fall asleep alone.
And the most important tip: never be nervous yourself, your irritation is transmitted to the baby, do not rush to leave him, appreciate the minutes of the child’s affection for you - the time will come when you will remember these moments only with warmth.
On the topic of sleep:
- How to calm a crying child (31 tips. Part 2). + 5 steps according to the method of Harvey Carp
- An ingenious trick - how to put a child to sleep in 1 minute
- How to put a child to sleep without tears and vagaries;
- We teach a child to sleep in his crib separately from his mother (videos, real stories);
- Whether to rock the child before bedtime: how old can you get sick;
- The child sleeps only in the arms, but put it wakes up - problem or not;
- At what age can a child sleep on a pillow.
