Infant Bedtime Tips from ‘The Sleep Lady’

It can be challenging dealing with a fussy baby, especially one who has been recently fed and changed but is still fretful.

Child sleep expert Kim West, better known as The Sleep Lady, has helped thousands of families gently soothe their little ones and find sleep for more than 20 years. To help keep your infant happy and calm, West offers these tips.

Learn sleepy cues

Most babies up to six months old can only be awake for about one to two hours before becoming overtired. Part of the learning curve is being able to recognize a child’s typical sleepy cues, so that you can move them to a sleep space as soon as possible. These signs may include yawning, staring, fussiness, quieting down, losing interest in playtime, eye rubbing and hand sucking. An alert or spirited child may move very quickly from happy to tired to overtired, so keeping one eye on the clock is important. Be prepared to move straight to naptime or bedtime when you see your child’s sleepy cues.

Recognize sleep patterns

When your baby is about three or four months old, you may start to see a glimmer of a schedule forming where sleeping and waking are concerned. This is because your baby’s internal clock — the circadian rhythm — is starting to develop. Look for this pattern, along with your baby’s sleep cues, and create a soothing naptime and bedtime routine, which can include using white noise, feeding and rocking.

Nap timing and length are often the last components of a baby’s schedule to develop, so you might need to use more effort and additional soothing techniques in the afternoon.

Loco for motion

Motion is a favorite of babies because it likely reminds them of the sensations and security of their mother’s womb. Rock your baby in your arms when you can. If you need a break to get things done around the house or during times of extended fussiness, consider using a swing. Since every baby is unique, try one with multiple motion features. The many swings to choose from include the Graco EveryWay Soother with Removable Rocker, which has 16 motions and six different speeds. Movement can sometimes do what no other kind of soothing can do.

Understand crankiness

Babies cry when they’re uncomfortable, bored, overstimulated and sleepy. Beyond the obvious diaper and mealtime reasons, try a change of scenery. Other tactics include dimming the lights and offering a pacifier. Being prepared to tailor your soothing strategies to your child’s individual needs can help provide both you and your baby more relaxing days and nights.