Rock-a-Bye Baby (7 page)

Tell a story, read the newspaper, or just chat about your day with your baby in a low, rhythmic voice to help mesmerize him into dreamland.

Repeat your favorite prayers to hypnotize your baby to snoozeville.

Use the book
Goodnight Moon
as a model for getting your baby to sleep. Say good night to everything in baby's room—a “lovey” (stuffed animal), a picture, a mobile, and so on. (
See “Bedtime Books,” page 126.)

Swing your baby in your arms vigorously—the rocking motion causes drowsiness.

Wear your baby in a front pack or sling as you move around the house or take a walk. The motion will lead your baby to drift off.

Give your baby the same blanket each time you put her down, so she associates it with night-night time.

Buy a teddy bear that comes with the sound of a heartbeat, and leave it in the crib with your baby. It simulates the sounds your baby heard in the womb, which is comforting to her. You can also buy CDs with music that sounds like Mother. (
See “Resources,” page 138.)

Many babies fall asleep while nursing. If this happens, carry your baby carefully to the crib and set him down gently so you don't wake him. But don't leave a bottle in the crib, or the liquid that remains in your baby's mouth may lead to cavities.

Invest in a comfortable rocking chair and rock your baby to sleep in it.

Hang a mobile over your baby's crib, wind it up, and let him watch and listen as he dozes off.

If you have a room fan, switch it on. The sound of the fan and the movement of the air cause many babies to go to sleep.

Blow gently on your baby's face. It helps her close her eyes and drift off. (Avoid eating onions and garlic, though!)