How to get your baby to sleep in their cot
It may take some time for your baby to learn to fall asleep on their own, but sleeping in their cot is essential for high-quality sleep.
Most parents will agree: the adage “sleeping like a baby” is not universal. While sleeping habits in tots are often challenging, they can be made even more challenging if your baby refuses to sleep in their cot.
It is normal for babies who have not learned to self-soothe to fuss and cry and want to be picked up after they are placed in the cot. The good news is that, with time and patience, there are a few ways to get your baby used to sleeping in their cot.
There’s a reason parents spend so much time looking for the perfect cot: It’s where your child gets much-needed sleep, which aids in their growth and development.
Unfortunately, some babies scream and wail when placed in their cot. They may only sleep peacefully in your arms, a car seat, or a stroller. However, it is critical not to give up because a cot is the safest place for your child to sleep.
“After newborns reach the six-month mark, their napping and nocturnal patterns become more difficult to change,” explains Jodi Mindell, author of Sleeping Through the Night. “This is why parents must start familiarising their children with sleeping in a cot from a young age.”
Read on to find out how you can make the transfer to the cot easier for both you and your baby.
Here are six tips on how to get your tot to sleep in their cot.
- Establish a sleep routine: Babies thrive on routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated or timed to the minute, but it should be something like: bath, breast/bottle, book, and then cot.
- Putting your baby down for naps in the cot during the day will help your tot get more comfortable with sleeping in a cot at night.
- Keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature, and avoid laying your baby down on a cold mattress. Leaving a hot water bottle on the mattress for a few minutes before putting your baby down can work wonders.
- Consider swaddling your baby (if they’re under three months of age) or putting them in a sleep sack.
- Don’t let your baby fall asleep while lying in your arms or resting on your chest. When your little one is close to falling asleep, place them in their cot (drowsy but awake), so they learn to self-soothe to sleep.
- If your baby fusses when put down in their cot, don’t immediately pick them up. Instead, gently pat and soothe them to reassure them of your presence.
