Mothers heave a sigh of relief when their babies go to sleep, giving them time to attend to other important matters and have time for themselves. When babies don’t sleep well at night, the baby and mother suffer the consequences. Most moms allow their babies to sleep in the same bed at night as that is the only way to get them to sleep. They complain that “my baby will only sleep in my bed at night.” If this is the ordeal you are going through, then read on, as today’s post will give you some useful tips for solving the problem of “my baby will only sleep in my bed at night.”
5 things to do if your baby will only sleep in your bed at night
You can try the following options if your baby will only sleep in your bed at night.
- Establish a routine bedtime: You can specify a bedtime for your baby and ensure they go to bed at that same time every day. That will help your baby’s body system to start winding down once that time approaches daily automatically. Before the set time, ensure you have given your baby a warm bath and any other necessary bedtime routine.
- Create a conducive sleep environment: It is difficult for babies to sleep well at night if the environment is not conducive. At such times they may insist on being in your bed to stay soothed. Avoid that by ensuring their bed area and the room is calm and devoid of distracting noises and sounds. Turn off all electronic devices and bright lights. Ensure also that the room temperature is right for them.
- Encourage your baby to self-soothe: Most babies will prefer to sleep in their moms’ beds because of the comfort they derive from being close to their moms. You can teach your baby to self-soothe instead, as that can encourage them to sleep in their beds. Employ self-soothing techniques like sucking on their fingers or a pacifier to help them sleep well at night.
- Don’t be hasty with the transition process: Even though you want your baby to learn how to sleep in their crib, it is best to make the transition process gradual. Rather than cutting off your bed abruptly, you should start by keeping them in their bed for one day a week and gradually increasing the days until they can sleep independently throughout the week. This method is necessary to maintain their emotional balance.
- Be patient: Your baby may initially not like the idea of sleeping in their own bed. They may cry and fuss in response to your actions. You should not be discouraged and stall the process. You should instead be patient with your baby and hope for the best. With time and consistency in implementing the strategy, your baby will soon get used to sleeping in their bed.
Why does my baby sleep better in my bed?
The major reason “baby will only sleep in my bed,” according to many moms, is the comfort they derive from being close to you. Babies share a strong bond with their mothers right from birth, and sharing close interaction with them helps to foster calmness and comfort. They also enjoy skin-to-skin contact with their mothers when sleeping in the same bed. Babies naturally love to be cuddled, so sleeping in their mothers’ beds will avail them of the opportunity to receive a fresh dose of it. All this warmth and comfort aid deep sleep in babies and make them sleep longer at night.
Conclusion
By practicing the tips about improving your baby’s sleep routine, the complaint of “my baby will only sleep in my bed at night” will soon be a thing of the past. The key to getting your baby to sleep in their crib or bed is to look for alternative ways to keep them soothed and comforted. Those are their main reasons for preferring to sleep in your bed.
