There is no better feeling than holding your baby in your arms and putting them to sleep. Cuddling and snuggling with them can deepen your bond, and it also helps the child to securely attach to you as a caregiver. However, it is important to create a healthy sleeping habit for them that doesn’t depend on you holding them.
As a parent, it also might be difficult for you to let your newborn go to sleep without holding them. We understand this, which is why we have provided you with practices that will make the transition easy for you and your baby.
Here are some guidelines you can follow.
Key Notes
- Slowly and steadily transition them to this new sleeping situation
- Create a comfortable environment that allows them to easily fall asleep independently
- Establish a routine to get their body used to sleeping and waking at certain times
- Remain patient and consistently implement techniques for results
1. Swaddle Them
When you hold the baby to put them to sleep, the warm contact provides them with the comfort they need to go to sleep.
You can mimic similar comfort levels by swaddling them. It makes the baby think that you are embracing them, which can switch on their calming reflexes.
Swaddling also guarantees that their startle reflex doesn’t wake them up in the middle of the night.
You can wrap them in a comfortable blanket and see if this works for them to fall asleep without being held. If not, don’t worry because we have many other practices for you.
2. Establish A Sleeping And Bedtime Routine
Before you do this, we recommend that you note down the sleeping patterns of your child. It will provide you with an idea of when your child usually sleeps and for how long.
Such information will help you establish a sleeping and bedtime routine that suits their needs.
Once you have this information, you can incorporate routines such as:
- Providing them with a relaxing bath
- Rocking till they sleep
- Singing them a lullaby
- Giving them a baby massage
- Turning off the lights
You must opt for these routines when it is close to their sleeping time. It will help your baby to unwind and drift off to sleep without being held.
3. Opt For A Gradual Transition
An important note to remember is that you must not start transitioning your child out of the blue.
It will cause them to cry a lot, and you will have to work harder to make them feel comfortable. Instead, we recommend that you opt for a gradual technique.
For example, you can begin by holding your baby till they are drowsy but aware. Then, you can place them in the crib so they can sleep without being held.
With time, you can begin reducing the amount of time you hold them before you place them in the crib, which will encourage them to fall asleep independently.
4. Touch Them For Comfort
Babies need comfort, and you can provide them with this by touching them while they sleep and not holding them.
You can put them in the crib while they are drowsy, but make sure you maintain contact.
Easy ways of doing this can include the following:
- Stroking their face, back, or arms
- Lightly patting them on their body
- Giving them a light hand massage
Just the simple act of touching them can make them feel comfortable enough to go to sleep.
It lets the baby know you are around, and they will most likely not cry.
5. Encourage Them To Self-Soothe
Self-regulation and soothing are important tools that babies need to learn from an early age.
What this means is that you must let the child settle down for sleeping without rushing the process when they fuss.
As you keep doing this, it will help the child regulate independently and fall asleep without issues.
Even if they wake up during the night, self-soothing skills will help them go back to sleep.
So, make sure that you are building this skill in your baby.
6. Create A Comfortable Environment
The environment will affect the sleep quality of your baby, which is why a comfortable setting is important.
For example, you can ensure the crib is warm when you place your baby on it.
Warmth will provide them with comfort that will help them easily fall asleep when you set them down.
Just make sure it is not too hot, as that can have the opposite impact on your baby.
Keep the temperature of the room comfortable as well, and make sure it is not too cold. Such an environment will help your baby to fall asleep without too much help.
7. Use A Pacifier
Finally, we recommend that you use a pacifier if your baby starts fussing. It is best not to wait till they are crying fully.
Instead, if you see them fuss, just insert the pacifier so they can feel comfortable.
While you are doing this, you can also put your hand on the baby and stroke their face.
This will let them know you are here and make it easier for them to fall asleep without being held.
Expectations To Have When You Train Your Baby To Sleep Without Being Held
As a mother, it is crucial to know what you can expect from this process so you don’t feel taken aback.
Here are the two most important expectations when training your baby to sleep independently:
They Will Cry
Babies express their frustration by crying, and you should expect this during the training process.
Remember that this is normal because your baby doesn’t understand why things have to change.
Various parents use different techniques when their babies cry.
For example, some parents let their babies cry it out while others help them soothe. There is no right or wrong here, and you should see what works for you and what you feel more comfortable with.
Such behavior will phase once you implement the aforementioned techniques and help them sleep.
Patience
If there is one thing babies teach parents, it is the art of remaining patient.
It will take your baby a few days to accustom to the new situation, which is why you shouldn’t lose hope.
Just keep implementing the guidelines with consistency, and you will see results soon.
It is crucial that you make the transition as easy for your child as possible. Sudden changes can take a toll on babies, which is why they might start crying a lot or become upset.
So, it is up to you to help them regulate during such changes.
Final Words
These are all the ways in which you can help your baby to fall asleep without being held. You have to separate them to ensure independence but ensure it is a smooth transition for them.
Even babies are creatures of habit, and anything that disrupts their routine can cause them to become upset.
As long as you are cognizant of this information, it will help you take better steps to help your child.
Once you do, they will begin sleeping without your help without any issues.
