5 tried and true tips for getting babies to sleep, and how Duracell batteries can help. Because a sleeping baby means a happy household!
To all you new and expecting moms out there: NEVER underestimate the importance of having a baby who sleeps well. It’s essential! For any sort of sanity or well-being or happiness to exist in your house, you must have a baby who sleeps. End of story.
And I know…..because I’ve been on the opposite side of it, with a baby who doesn’t sleep. And let me tell you – it rocked my world! Granted, it was my first time as a mom, and the entire experience rocked my world, but the sleep thing was definitely at the top of the list. So much so that I took on sleep as my cause. I was bound and determined never to have a sleepless baby again…..and 4 kids later, I definitely feel like my determination paid off.
So I thought I’d share a few of the things that have worked for me throughout the years. Everyone has their own experience, so you might find that different things have or will work for you, but these are a few tried and true tips I still use to this day!
1. Never let your baby be awake for more than 2 hours at a time. Their little bodies can’t handle it! I typically found that my kids were ready for sleep around an hour and a half after waking up, both in the morning and after naps. Their eyes would start glossing over, they’d become less responsive, and they’d start getting just a little bit fussy. And if I paid attention, and put them down when they were ready, they would sleep. I know this goes against the old idea of keeping them awake so they’ll sleep better later…..but in my experience, keeping them awake when they should be asleep never goes well! And definitely doesn’t lead to better sleep.
2. Put them in their crib to sleep. I’m all for giving them a few days or weeks in a bassinet next to your bed, but after that, it’s time for them to go. To their crib! Of course, there are exceptions to this (some babies sleep better in a more upright position or in a swing) but in my experience, the earlier I got my kids accustomed to sleeping in their crib, the better.
3. Help them learn to soothe themselves. After trying it both ways (putting them down asleep vs. putting them down awake) my experience is that putting them down awake is the better way to go. If they fall asleep in your arms, not only do you have to worry about transferring them to their crib without startling them, but they just never seem to sleep as well or as long. Figure out what helps soothe them – a nuk, a swaddler, a snuggle toy – and use that to help you (and them)!
4. Let them cry. I’m not talking about for crazy periods of time. Nor can I tell you for exactly how long. But if you know they’re tired, and you know they’re fed, and you know they’re safe (and you’re pretty sure they have a clean diaper)…..it’s okay to let them cry for a while. In fact, sometimes it’s exactly what they need in order to fall asleep. Set a timer and walk away…..and if they’re still crying at the end of it, then go in and try again.
5. Invest in a sound machine (and plenty of batteries)! In fact, invest in 2 sound machines so you can have one at home and one on the go. They have saved our lives. And definitely our sanity. Not only do they replicate the sounds of the womb, and help create a consistent sleep environment in unfamiliar places, but they ease the stress and anxiety surrounding noise level while the baby is sleeping. And anything you can do to ease the stress and anxiety you feel as a new mom is priceless!
Now, clearly some of this will just be a matter of trial and error to figure out what works best for you. But. The one thing you can do right away is invest in a sound machine. Put it on your registry! They sell all different types, including ones you can clip to your diaper bag for when you’re on the go, but they all work the same. And definitely don’t forget the batteries! It might seem like a strange thing to put on a registry, but TRUST ME – you’ll use them! You’ll need all the batteries you can get your hands on once you’re a new mom, so you might as well start developing a stockpile. And you might as well invest in a brand that’s trusted and proven to be the best – Duracell. It *lasts longer in 99% of devices vs. the next leading competitive brand. So you know you can count on them. And having something you can count on to help you out as a new mom is really the best thing you could ask for. That, and a baby who sleeps well……!
What tips do you have for new mothers? Leave a comment below and you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
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*AA size. Based on ANSI performance tests. Results very by device and usage patterns. Next leading alkaline based on market sales data.
Melissa H. says
Get plenty of rest and enjoy every moment.
Jess says
Savor the days that feel the longest – they won’t last forever!
Mami2jcn says
I’m expecting my 4th baby in September and my tip would be to use a white noise machine.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/605462155064971264
Arnie says
I’m out of league here. Too much brain power on dilspay!
http://www./ says
Wowzers! Oh the dreaded move. I’m so happy with Spring I almost don’t want to think beyond. But this summer holds walks daily and some sewing i’ve veen putting off, you know sewing for me.Luck on your move
autokredit bei bestehendem kredit says
Kalyn: sorry that the navigation is hard to use,, will fix that.I will definitely be linking back to yours (I should be more herby but my herbs have not either been – planted yet or have not germinated..
Lauren says
My tip is to always have a camera nearby.
Elena says
Sleep when your baby sleeps
Nicole Dziedzic says
My tip for new moms is be prepared, and organized. It always helps when you have a plan. Otherwise your stress levels can get over the top. And always make time for you too.
Julie Wood says
Sleep when baby sleeps! This is so good to do because time-tested advice, and it works! “Sleep is a medical necessity even for new moms.” Sleep is also an important way to guard against postpartum depression.
Julie Wood says
Tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/605532631111852032
steve weber says
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
Kelly D says
My tip is to use light blocking curtains to help baby sleep better.
rachel cartucci says
My tip is to buy a nice big and comfy rocking chair. I spent many nights rocking my cranky first child. Hoping my second one will be a better sleeper. He is due in Sept and I am over joyed!
OFG says
Do what works best for you and don’t let anyone else convince you there is a ‘right’ way to do it. It will ease your stress and that alone will help.
Natalie says
My tip is that when your baby is having a hard time falling asleep, try putting him or her in a rocker. My daughter falls fast asleep whenever she is being gently rocked.
Barbara M says
My best tip – don’t be afraid to ask for help.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed after having a baby!
thank you
Amy Tong says
You’ve got some great tips there. My tips is keep baby full and comfy. Maintain a constant temperature in the room helps too.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Jessie C. says
New moms, always ask for help whenever you need. Lesson learned from my first born, things got so much better for my second one.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/606652900773724160
Madeline says
We couldn’t have lived without a baby swing to help get our child to sleep. It was either that or carry her around for half an hour!
Stephanie Phelps says
My top tip for new mothers is to enjoy the time with baby and to get plenty of rest when you can and if anyone offers help take it!
Erika says
Definitely my favorite ways to calm is rocking. Whether it’s reading a story, singing a song, or just being quiet and cuddling, I think it soothes both of us.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
mysweetiepiepie says
My tip is to make sure the baby’s room is very dark when they are sleeping, they will wake up less often.
Tina m says
sleeps when baby sleeps and a Fisher-Price Soothe & Glow Seahorse work great for us.
D Schmidt says
My best tip is to remember babies do not follow the textbook rules and to sleep when you can.
Elle says
My tip is to make sure that you take care of yourself as well by eating well and getting enough rest so you can be the best Mom you can be.
Lisa Brown says
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it from family and friends, they will be more than happy to help.
rachel says
Baby #1 rocked my world, too! And she’s still not a great sleeper. We will definitely put baby #2 down awake and start sleep training earlier. I love having a camera monitor to check on her though.
Robin says
My babies slept better as newborns when they were swaddled.
Susan Smith says
My daughter always slept better in her baby swing.
erica best says
when my nephew was a baby u use to sing to him
Linda says
I agree with the sound machine and also swaddling.
maria cantu says
Sleep when you can.
Tamara says
The baby items I enjoyed best when I had little babies was their changing table and a rocking chair.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Singing to them always seemed to work for me when they’re upset.
Debbie B says
try to keep a regular routine and a favorite blanket or stuffed animal helps a lot!
Cynthia C says
Remember to take some time for yourself. Have lunch with friends or go shopping alone for a few hours to refresh yourself and keep from being overwhelmed.
Sandy Klocinski says
Everything you thought you knew about parenting is wrong — it is personalized for each child
Gina M says
Swaddling is my favorite trick for getting babies to sleep longer.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/614819523091369985
Suzanne K says
Accept help from family and friends, and definitely share clothes (they grow too fast)
nickie says
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Stephanie V says
drive in the car to calm them
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Debbi Wellenstein says
I’ve always been an advocate of a late night feeding to hopefully keep baby asleep throughout the night.
Adrienne Gordon says
Get sleep whenever you can.
Katherine says
Take time to rock your baby and ask for help it is hard to do it alone
Kimberly Hilbert says
My girl always loved being rocked it really helped her sleep. She also liked to be swaddled.
Kathleen says
My tips would be to sleep when the baby sleeps and to get as much help as possible.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Theron Willis says
To sooth the baby, I recommend gentle humming in lieu of the ever so popular white noise generator.
Hope to win!
joni says
The porch swing is very soothing way to get a baby to sleep.
Thomas Murphy says
Sing and rock the baby to get it to sleep.
Aurelie Red says
I like to sing a nice song to my baby girl to soothe her.
Eva says
I would tell new mothers to not speak to their babies in “baby speak” all the time so that their babies can learn the proper way to speak.
Daniel M says
the video monitor sure comes in handy
Crystal F says
Hold your baby as much as possible. I know most say the opposite but they grow so fast. It also helps soothe the baby and may help them sleep better. Thank y ou!
Chi Shannon says
Find a way to enjoy even the most tedious and mundane things! They’re tiresome and boring now, but when the baby grows out of them, you will miss it all!! Also, takes LOTS of pictures, of those tedious and mundane things 🙂
Kerry says
Take help from family and friends when offered!
Latisha says
Please keep thwnirog these posts up they help tons.
http://www./ says
that the south has already divorced from the north."We aren't permitted by our media to see juicy headlines like this out of the Juba Post :"MP TELLS ARABS BYE-BYE."
Ellie Wright says
Try to get the baby used to sleeping through noise. My granddaughter wakes up at the slightest sound because at home they have it absolutely quiet when she sleeps. A sound machine is a great investment.
Rebecca Graham says
Sleep when the baby sleeps. Stick to a schedule.
Lisa Voyce says
I would suggest to not panic about needing to know everything because you will pick it up naturally. Also, sleep when the baby sleeps.
joe gersch says
i rock my baby and sing softly to her
Kimmy Ripley says
Be sure to get plenty of sleep and rest!
Ed says
Sleeping when the the little one is sleeping is a good plan!
Stephanie Larison says
Trust your own parent instincts, what works for some people won’t work for you, and the other way around. We co-sleep with the girls, and it works great for us.
melissa Resnick says
we would hold them till they went to sleep
Francine Anchondo says
take a nap when the baby sleeps
Tabathia B says
My tip is to take a nap when the baby takes a nap and not catch up on cleaning if you are sleep deprived
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Wanda McHenry says
A Glider Rocking Chair works great to help get baby to sleep.
Erica B. says
Get on a routine as soon as possible.
Bert Ruiz says
My tip is to sleep when the baby sleeps
Denise L says
Stay calm, confident, and trust your instincts! And get a sleep sheep – those things really help a baby go to sleep 🙂
angie says
I don’t have kids of my own and have not spent any time around babies ever but I have advice from my mom: don’t forget who you were before the baby came. It is important to raise your children to respect that you are a person, too, not just a mother.
rajee says
I use cloth diapers to avoid rash
Richard Hicks says
They need to have lots and lots of patience
Laurie Emerson says
My tip is to enjoy each moment of each day. They grow up so fast and each day will bring something new and interesting.
Jerry Marquardt says
I like to sleep as much as possible to not be tired.
Candie L says
I like learning that a perfect house is not critical. thank you
Claudia Davis says
One major tip I have for new mothers is to buy MORE/EXTRA of what you think you might need.
Leela says
Sleep when baby sleeps.
denise a says
Going for a late night car ride always puts the baby to sleep