Are there any tricks for helping a baby to sleep?

Getting a baby to sleep can sometimes be difficult and frustrating.  I want to share with you the tricks we have learnt and hopefully it could get the whole family a few extra minutes of sleep.

The main idea is this: Silence is NOT golden.

From day one you should get the baby used to sleeping with loud noise, your voices, the radio, television.  You will make a rod for your back if you tiptoe around trying not to disturb the little one. Remember also that inside the womb there is bleeding racket going on!  They’ve slept through that, so why not Top Gear or a conversation about poo (you’ll be having a lot of those)?

We are extremely lucky in that we have discovered not only that Oli quite likes background noise, but that he is instantly soothed by the hairdryer.  Whenever we switch it on he is almost guaranteed to sleep.  We have a “cold” setting but I’m sure the electricity bills will be extortionate – but worth every penny.  That may not work for you but try any white noise – vacuum, out of tune radio etc.

There are some good MP3s for download which you can play on a loop at naptime here

You can also read Charlie’s tips for getting baby to sleep through the night here

Written by Ben, aged 30 1/4.  Father of Oli.