One of the most challenging times for new moms and dads is nighttime. Your child will frequently stay up all night or sleep in small increments. Infant care can be difficult for new parents, and there are some skills that parents should continuously use to maintain their sanity. The essential skill in caring for a baby is putting him or her to sleep through the night so you can get some rest. Stressed and overtired, parents may not always provide the best infant care.
I have three children and got each of them to start sleeping through the night at 2 weeks old. As the youngest in my family, I had no prior experience with babies and, thus, needed to learn how to care for them. Friends and family would always offer infant care tips, some of which were helpful, while many were just nonsense.
One tip I received to get my children to sleep through the night was putting a little whiskey in their bottles. This, of course, is absolutely ridiculous, and I would never follow this infant care method… And neither should you. Here is how I managed to get all three of my children to sleep through the night starting at 2 weeks old.
- Maintain a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Babies, like children, crave routines. They’re important to them and help them feel secure. Most parents I know with babies who don’t sleep well do not have a set bedtime. A vital infant care tip is to always put your baby to bed at the same time each night. If you’re out and about, find a quiet place and put your baby to sleep.
- Establish a Consistent Bedtime Ritual
Again, babies need routine. If you bathe your baby every night, make sure you do it at around the same time each night. If you bathe your baby every day, ensure to do it daily. Always read your baby a story before bedtime. This is a fantastic infant care tip because not only does it introduce reading to your baby, it also begins to establish a habit. It provides a routine for baby care.
- Adhere to a Feeding Schedule
Most babies need to be fed every 2 – 3 hours. Now, I realize that 2 or 3 hours is not a good night’s sleep for you or your partner, and you would be correct. But feeding your baby on a consistent basis throughout the day assures your baby that food is always available, and they will begin to understand when to expect it. Always make sure you feed your baby 20 minutes before bedtime.