1. Put Your Baby in the Crib While Still Awake
This method is one of the most effective strategies for ensuring your baby sleeps soundly and peacefully every night. Once your baby reaches six to eight weeks of age, you can start teaching them to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. Place your baby in the crib or on the bed when they're sleepy but still awake. The way you soothe your baby during the first eight weeks is crucial. If you use a hammock or cradle, rock, or hold your baby to sleep during these early weeks, your baby may become accustomed to needing that motion to sleep. Therefore, many experts recommend avoiding rocking or using a pacifier to comfort your baby to sleep right from birth.
Establish a bedtime routine such as singing lullabies, playing soft music, patting their back, or gently rubbing their head. However, remember to choose a routine that works for both you and your baby, as it needs to be repeated every night. You can hold your baby until they’re drowsy, then place them in the crib, as opposed to letting them fall asleep in your arms. This helps avoid the bad habit of needing to be held in order to sleep, and reduces the likelihood of your baby waking up when placed in the crib.
Always lay your baby on their back to sleep and keep their sleep area tidy. Give your baby a moment to settle down and get comfortable. It's normal for them to fuss a bit while they adjust to their sleeping position. This is also the first step in teaching your baby how to sleep independently. However, if your baby continues to cry, feel free to soothe them until they feel safe and fall asleep peacefully.


2. Respect Your Child's Preferences
Children's preferences are valuable and reveal much about their personalities. However, when a child's likes differ from the expectations of adults, parents must learn to respect their child's preferences.
No one knows your child better than you! Even from a few months old, babies begin to express their own preferences. If your child happens to be a “night owl,” don't get upset. One effective way to ensure your child sleeps well every night is to respect their preferences. If your child refuses to follow your routines, never force them to comply with your own schedule. Children need time to adjust to new things.
If your child loves having a stuffed animal nearby while they sleep, it's fine to let them keep it close to provide comfort and security, making it easier for them to fall asleep. However, once your baby falls into a deep sleep, gently remove the toy to avoid it accidentally obstructing their airways. Change takes time, and parents should gradually help their child develop routines that work for them. This approach is also important when trying to help your baby sleep better.


3. Never Force Your Child to Sleep if They're Not Ready
Even if your child has been used to a consistent sleep routine, there may be times when they suddenly wake up at 3 AM, sometimes even crying. If this continues, it can become harder to break this habit.
Your child will feel uncomfortable if forced to go to bed immediately. Parents need to understand their child's needs and desires. If your child isn't ready to sleep, avoid forcing them or scolding them. This will only have the opposite effect, causing your child to resist and become even more restless, making it harder for them to fall asleep. To help your child sleep soundly each night, parents should never force them to sleep if they're not ready. Doing so can cause unnecessary stress to their nervous system, making it harder for them to drift off to sleep.
Instead, parents can remind their child that it's bedtime by dimming the lights, speaking gently, and engaging in calm conversation. Within about 30 minutes, natural sleepiness will take over. It's an easy way to help your baby sleep through the night, isn't it?


4. Use a Pacifier
Pacifiers are made from soft materials that closely resemble a mother's nipple, which can help reduce the time babies spend nursing when they're not hungry, especially for those who have a habit of nursing to sleep. Many parents use pacifiers as a way to help their babies self-soothe and fall asleep more easily. Since many children have difficulty falling asleep without nursing or being rocked to sleep, pacifiers can be a useful tool in teaching babies to sleep independently.
If your baby is fussing due to hunger but you can't feed them immediately, a pacifier can help calm them down and buy you some time to finish other tasks. Sometimes, when babies are upset or anxious, a pacifier can provide comfort and reassurance. There are many types of pacifiers on the market today, and parents should prioritize those made from safe, high-quality materials to ensure they don't affect their child's health.


5. White Noise
White noise is a technique used to help your baby sleep better at night, especially when other methods haven't been effective. This type of sound is often used to lull or train newborns to sleep on schedule. Common examples of white noise include the sounds of rain, ocean waves, a hairdryer, flowing water, or static from a television.
Parents can use white noise to mask unwanted sounds, creating a more peaceful environment that promotes better sleep. Many mothers have successfully adopted this method to help their babies sleep more soundly through the night. However, it’s important to choose a white noise source with a suitable volume to avoid damaging your baby’s hearing.


6. Swaddling and Diaper Changes
A sense of security is essential for a peaceful sleep in newborns. After spending nine months in the comfort of the womb, babies often feel more at ease when wrapped up snugly. Swaddling is a technique that helps babies feel safe and can promote restful sleep. It’s important for parents to swaddle correctly to ensure the best results. This method also provides warmth for the baby.
Before feeding your baby at night, it's advisable to change their diaper to minimize interruptions during sleep. After feeding, parents should quickly change and reswaddle the baby to prepare for a peaceful rest. If diaper changes are necessary while the baby is asleep, it should be done gently and swiftly to avoid waking them up.
Maintain a cool room temperature for optimal sleep quality. Avoid over-bundling your baby with layers of clothing. According to doctors, one sleep suit and a swaddle cloth should be sufficient for warmth. Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, or a rash, indicating your baby may be too warm.


7. Cho trẻ bú đầy đủ trong ngày
Trẻ mới sinh đến 1 tháng tuổi (trẻ sơ sinh) gần như ngủ suốt ngày đêm, chỉ thức dậy để bú (khoảng 2 đến 3 giờ bú một lần). Trẻ sơ sinh và trẻ nhỏ có thể tích dạ dày nhỏ nên mau đói, vì vậy phải thức dậy sau vài giờ để bú. Trẻ sơ sinh cũng chưa phân biệt được ngày đêm nên có những bé sẽ ngủ suốt vào ban ngày và thức giấc nhiều hơn vào ban đêm. Thông thường, trẻ sơ sinh sẽ ngủ tổng cộng khoảng 8 đến 9 giờ vào ban ngày và khoảng 8 giờ vào ban đêm. Hầu hết trẻ nhỏ sẽ bắt đầu ngủ suốt đêm (6 đến 8 giờ) không thức giấc khi được 3 tháng tuổi hay khi được khoảng 6 ký. Thông thường, không cần phải đánh thức trẻ sơ sinh dậy để cho bú nhưng cũng không nên để bé ngủ quá 3 giờ mà không cho bú.
Hãy đảm bảo rằng con bạn có một bữa ăn tối đầy đủ vào thời gian hợp lý. Cảm thấy quá đói hoặc quá no trước khi ngủ có thể khiến con bạn tỉnh táo hơn hoặc không thoải mái. Điều này có thể khiến bé khó ngủ hơn. Vào buổi sáng, một bữa ăn sáng lành mạnh sẽ giúp khởi động đồng hồ sinh học của trẻ đúng thời gian.


8. Establishing a 24-Hour Biological Clock for Your Baby
Newborns are used to the warmth and comfort of their mother's womb, so when they are born, it takes some time for them to adjust to the outside world. This transition period is crucial, and it's important to help them begin to adapt. It typically takes 2-3 days, or even up to 2 weeks, for babies to start getting used to their new environment. Therefore, setting up a biological clock for your baby right from birth is essential.
To help your baby differentiate between day and night, you can: open the windows during the day to let in natural light, and allow some background noise; at night, ensure the room remains quiet and use a dim light. Consistently following this routine for 1-2 weeks will help your baby develop an understanding of day and night, and gradually sleep at the right times.
Avoid letting your baby sleep excessively during the day to prevent them from waking up at night. With this sleep-wake cycle, there's no need to worry about your baby being hungry if they haven't woken up yet. Don't overfeed or let them play too much past bedtime, as this could lead to restlessness at night.


9. Establishing Good Pre-Sleep Habits for Your Baby
Did you know that good habits are a great tool for helping your newborn settle down before bedtime? Creating a consistent daily routine helps maintain a healthy schedule and encourages your baby to sleep soundly. For daytime naps, your baby’s routine might include: taking them to their room, drawing the curtains, putting on mittens, placing them in their crib, singing a favorite lullaby, and offering some gentle words of affection.
For nighttime routines, they may take longer and could involve dimming the lights to trigger the production of sleep hormone melatonin. Once your baby is in bed, you can play relaxing music or tell a calming bedtime story in a soft, rhythmic voice.
For older children, the pre-sleep routine could involve a quiet conversation about the day, followed by some time alone to unwind before turning off the lights. Following these routines consistently in order sends a clear message to your child that it's time to sleep. As a result, they will naturally follow the routine without struggle and fall into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.


10. Creating the Perfect Sleep Environment
It’s important to place your baby in a cozy, quiet space where they can feel at ease. Consider positioning their crib next to your bed to keep an eye on them more easily. At the same time, sleeping separately from your baby can help reduce the risk of disturbing their sleep, such as rolling over or making contact that might wake them. This approach is a great way to start teaching your baby to sleep independently while also improving their quality of sleep.
The sleeping environment should be comfortable and airy, with the room temperature set at a comfortable level—neither too hot nor too cold. Try to minimize loud noises as much as possible. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the crib with items like stuffed animals or blankets that might accidentally obstruct their breathing if they move during deep sleep. If you’re concerned about your baby getting cold, you could use a sleep sack. Make sure to keep the sleeping area clean to prevent any insect bites or other discomforts.


