Have you ever tried to put a baby to sleep?
Well, if you haven’t yet, then let me tell you, it by no means is an easy task. It might not sound or look like it but is indeed one of the trickiest jobs in the world. Yes. You might think being, say, an astronaut or a doctor is no mean feat, which of-course is true, but putting a baby to sleep is no less challenging either. Trust me, I know! It is actually equally arduous, if not more.
The first real experience I had with putting a baby to sleep was with my sister. My being a little girl at that point also never really deterred me from trying this. Of course, if memory serves me right, she loved sleeping a lot too (still does!) which made this task slightly easier.
I remember singing, well at least trying to sing, the lullaby rock a bye baby to her and it actually worked. Here I must admit that I had no clue what the lyrics were so I made some of it up myself. I think it went something like this in my head ‘Rock a bye baby on a sweet bed when the wind blows, it’ll blow your head‘. I know, I know the last part is an awful thing to say to a baby but it rhymed, didn’t it? And at that point, I didn’t know any better. Plus it always worked in putting her to sleep! Yes, as horrible as the made up lyrics were, it did get the work done.
But with little M I’m at a loss. Now, I’m not much of a singer, not even a bathroom singer for that matter. The only two people I have ever sung for in my life are S and my sister. That too after a lot of emotional blackmail from their end, well, at most times. Also with the house full of family and relatives these days, I’m embarrassed to even hum a tune lest they hear me do that. So, when M cries I really don’t know what to do, so much so that putting her to sleep seems like an impossible task to me!
But that can’t work, can it? So, I came up with a plan when my sister suggested I sing the very same lullaby to M too. This time, of course, using the correct lyrics.
What was the plan, though?
To use YouTube. I found the correct version of rock a bye baby, played it and walla she fell asleep in a jiffy; after being fed of course. And as I type this she has been asleep for 2 hours straight!
So, I thought why not share with you lot a few tricks of putting a baby to sleep? It could help some mother like me somewhere. So here goes.
Things you can do to put your baby to sleep
- Ensure she is fully fed. Your baby will have her tells for you to gauge if she is hungry. Of course, she might even fall asleep at the end of the feed. If that happens you won’t need the rest of the tricks here. But if not, then read on.
- Mute the lights in the room. During day time, you could pull the curtains too.
- Coo at her in a comforting tone.
- Gently rock her.
- Pat her slowly.
- Ensue she is warm and comfortable.
- Change her soiled diapers because you don’t want her to be uncomfortable.
- Finally, sing to her or play a lullaby on YouTube!
- But if none of what is written above works, let your partner or mother put her to sleep! (This will always work. Verified trick!)
Mommies reading this do share some tricks to put a baby to sleep, would love to hear!
Some times baby don't want to sleep so first play with then for few mins, massage them and feed again this also works sometimes
I am actually a pro. No, I don't have kids. But I have a few nieces and nephews. After 5 minutes of rocking them, holding them, rocking them by holding them, I finally had to give them to their mothers. That always worked. If I hadn't done that, they wouldn't have slept.
I think the most trouble comes while travelling in a bus / train and if they start crying. It is a little more difficult if the journey is by flights.
No much advice from my side, so I hope that you don't face such difficulties.
You are a champ, Naba! 🙂 Usually, a familiar smell/voice helps. I used to have a story I'd tell Vidur every time he slept and my folks teased me that he must probably be sleeping instantly just to avoid the story! Btw – the story was of Harishchandra the King.
heheheh!! Rocking is a classic first parent thing to do! It was fine rocking my son at 1-2 months, but at 6 months, my arms felt like they were getting ripped out of their sockets!
Glad you are experimenting with different techniques to soothe your little one!
I've never had to rock a baby to sleep. But I do know this, it was hard for my mum to put me to sleep. What did it eventually was rigorous rocking and patting on the back. And by rigorous, I mean really quite a shake. No wonder I sleep best in trains, still! 😉
I had a cloth rocker, umm..how do I explain that? imagine a saree or a dhoti tied to make a large jhola, and hung from a hook on the ceiling..get the picture? I just had to feed the child and put him in it…my kids slept the moment I put them in it and set it swinging for a minute!
Loved reading your new mommy hacks. I stay away from crying babies or any baby in general. So no idea 😉 keep sharing your stories 🙂
Useful information for new moms to be sure. I love that you're sharing all this. The YouTube lullaby made me smile.
Bookmarking it in case of dire emergencies 😀
Thankfully I can sing but I loved your version of the nursery rhyme 😀 So cute!
As for tips to put her to sleep, try placing her on your lap and gently pressing and releasing her feet with your palms/fingers. This gentle massage relaxes the baby and helps put her to sleep very well. Also make sure she is completely wrapped up. Snug babies in Bangalore sleep better 🙂 Good luck, naba!
Yes, it is a herculean task at times and sometimes, I believe someone massage my head and put me to sleep 🙂
Ha ha! you tube must have many lullabies. Try giving M a dose of everything 😀
try massaging between her eyes at the start of her nose bridge…keep it very gentle. it helps soothe the baby and they eventually close their eyes and dose off…..and that's such a relief!
that was an important tip, that will help all new and prospective mothers
Thanks Sarangi..I will keep this in mind 🙂
Haha if I were to give little M back to her mother that would serve no purpose 😉
On a serious note, journey with a baby is really difficult..I hope I don't mess it up !
Hehe thanks Vidya 🙂
I will note down telling stories as she grows up a little..not the kind of stories that I read though 🙂
Oh my then I need to make sure that I don't get her used to rocking! I surely can't keep doing that as she grows bigger 🙂
Hahaha..Naba, I have made up lyrics too, and totally butchered some songs, but the thing is, music never failed me- that was the only thing that worked for D.
Also, I looked at your tips – you've got this girl. 🙂
Your version of Rock-a-by baby sent me giggling and the last tip of handing over your sweet little sleepless baby over to your mom or husband is the best of all. I used to sing Twinkle twinkle to my son.
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The cloth hammock that someone mentioned works extremely well from small infants to one year olds. Keep the posts coming in naba, they're unique and interesting 🙂 Rakhee
Enjoying motherhood 🙂
I used to massage my son's head. That worked a lot.
But nowadays so many options like you tube hahaha…
Haha..I will keep that in mind. Who knows maybe rigorous rocking is what I need to do!
Wow! Okay I'm going to try this if nothing else works!
Hehe thanks Corinne 🙂
Hehe okay 🙂
Thanks for the tips Shailaja. I will surely try these. 🙂
Ahh don't we all, Ekta? 🙂
I tried this and it worked like wonder 🙂 Thanks for the tip Nidhi
Hope so 🙂
Thanks Shantala..I'm trying to get her used to sleeping with music..it's been a 60-40 success rate so far 🙂
Hehe thanks Anamika..I will try the other rhymes too 🙂
Thanks so much Rakhee..I'm going to try the clothe hammock for sure
Hehe I'm scared to touch her head, it's so soft in parts..In some days I will perhaps 🙂