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If you’re reading this in the middle of the night with one eye open, exhausted and desperate for a little more sleep, know that I’ve been there, too. As a mom of two boys, I’ve had my share of sleepless nights, midnight rocking sessions, and early morning cuddles with a huge cup of coffee. Through trial and error, a lot of patience, and some advice from other moms, I’ve found a few tricks to help our little ones sleep better and want to share them with you to hopefully help anyone else needed a little more shut eye.
Newborn sleep can be a mystery. Babies have short sleep cycles, usually 45-50 minutes, and aren’t born with a circadian rhythm, that internal clock we all rely on to sleep longer at night. Studies have shown that it takes about 12 weeks for babies to establish this rhythm. Until then, a few little adjustments can make all the difference. Here are a few things that worked wonders for us, my friends and may help your baby (and you) sleep a bit better.
1. Create a Calming Bedtime Routine
When my boys were newborns, I found that establishing a routine before bed helped signal to them that sleep was coming. For us, that meant a warm bath, followed by a gentle baby massage. My boys, especially my first, seemed to drift off more easily after a lavender-scented bath that just soothed their senses.
• What I used: I love the The Honest Company Lavender Shampoo and Body Wash. Its light lavender scent was calming, and it became a little “sleepy-time” signal for them, and its also a wonderful clean product that would be a staple as your babies get older.
2. Swaddle for a Womb-Like Comfort
Swaddling was a lifesaver, especially during those first few weeks. Newborns still have that startle reflex, where their arms jolt up and wake them up. Swaddling kept my little guys feeling secure, and according to research, it helps babies sleep longer by reducing that reflex. We tried I think 5 different swaddles and all of them failed until my cousin sent us the Happiest Baby Snoo Sleep Sack.
It was a game-changer because it allowed them to move their legs while staying cozy. The velcro for the arms keeps them snug but the game changer is that the velcro is inside the zip up sack. The shoulders also have snap buttons so when they are ready to sleep with their arms out you can keep them cozy and pop one are out at a time to get the used to it. We ended up getting a second sack that was a larger size to continue using it until both babies were ready to sleep without swaddles.
3. Use White Noise to Set the Scene
I remember the first time we used a sound machine for our oldest—it was like magic. We would use it wherever we went because it helped him fall asleep so much faster, and he was a terrible sleeper, but the white noise just calmed him so much faster. White noise helps block out household sounds and mimics the sounds of the womb, which babies find soothing.
• What I recommend is the Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine, it became a must-have in our house. With options for white noise, lullabies, and even a nightlight, it’s a multi-purpose sleep aid that kept the room calm and grew with my children as they did. Most babies grow out of white noise but this machine continued with us because of the music and lights so you are getting more for your money and reduce having another device in the house.
4. Try a Pacifier for Extra Comfort
Not every baby is a pacifier fan, but for us, it became a sleep essential. My first son wasn’t interested—he’d spit it out after a few seconds, and it felt like a lost cause. But with my second son, though, it was a different story entirely. From the moment he started using a pacifier, it became his little “comfort cue,” a way to calm himself down and settle into sleep without needing to be rocked for ages.
There were those rough nights when I’d be running on fumes, wondering how I’d manage another sleepless stretch, and then I would pop that pacifier back in and just like that, he’d start to calm. The self-soothing part was a game-changer, it gave me a moment to breathe, and more importantly, it allowed him to learn how to relax himself back to sleep.
We tried a few different pacifiers but honestly the best one we trried is the one we got from the hospital (we bought so many different pacifiers for no reason!), the Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier, it is BPA-free and 100% silicone, so our minds were at ease knowing we were providing the best we could find for our baby.
5. Keep Your Baby Close but Safe with a Bedside Bassinet
I found that keeping my newborn close at night, but in their own sleep space, was comforting for both of us. A bedside bassinet lets you check on them easily without disturbing their sleep. My first I put in a huge crib and he was a terrible sleeper (I think he just missed his mama). With my second he was in a bassinet for the first 4 months and slept 6 hours straight by the time he was 1 month.
I went to stores and looked a many different bassinets to understand what I felt comfortable with, my favorite is the HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper it gave me peace of mind because it was adjustable and had mesh sides so I could see them without leaning over or even getting out of bed.
(check out my post of the 7 cribs I researched before this purchase)
6. Set the Room Temperature Just Right
Babies are sensitive to room temperature, and I learned early on that they sleep best between 68-72°F. For my two, this made a huge difference in how soundly they slept, and it kept me from worrying about overheating.
7. Gentle Diaper Changes to Keep the Peace
Nothing wakes up a sleepy baby like a cold diaper change, but with the right diaper, you can often go a bit longer between changes. For night changes, I always kept the lights low and tried to make it as quick as possible. FYI try using a Himalayan salt lamp at night.
The best I found were The Honest Company Conscious Overnight Diapers they are super absorbent and allowed for longer stretches without leaks.
8. Embrace Patience and Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help
This journey isn’t easy, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. I had moments of complete exhaustion, and those early days can feel endless. Make time to take care of yourself, even in small ways, such as a hot cup of coffee (emphasis on the hot), a long shower, going on a 15 minute walk, or just a drive alone with music blasting out while you scream the lyrics (trust me this one works!).
I’ve found that reaching out to other moms, family members or sleep consultants can be so helpful if you feel stuck. Each baby is unique, and sometimes a little outside advice can be just what you need to try something different or justify your feelings. Always remember you’re doing an incredible job.
Final Thoughts
These little tips, backed by a bit of science and my own journey, are my way of saying, “Hang in there.” Your baby will find their rhythm, and you’ll look back one day with pride (and hopefully a bit more rest). Embrace the cuddles, give yourself grace, and try these small adjustments to make sleep a little easier.
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Let’s navigate this beautiful chaos of motherhood together!
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