It’s common to see parents seeking advice about their baby’s daily needs—feeding, diapering, and most notably, sleep. Among these, sleep issues are often the most distressing for parents:
- “My 5-month-old only falls asleep while being held. If I try to lay him down, he thrashes around and cries. He’s now 18.5 pounds, and I can’t carry him like this anymore. What should I do?”
- “My 10-month-old doesn’t have a consistent sleep schedule despite trying multiple online methods. He goes to bed really late. Any good solutions?”
- “My baby wakes up multiple times a night. I have to rock or carry them to sleep. I’m exhausted after several nights of this.”
The challenge intensifies during holidays or travel when changing environments can lead to frequent night wakings and hours of crying. Exhausted parents end up spending sleepless nights trying to soothe their babies back to sleep.
Some parents hope that their baby will naturally outgrow sleep troubles, but this isn’t always the case. Here are real-life examples: 
- “My 18-month-old suddenly wakes up crying, wanting to leave the room. It takes half an hour to calm him down, and this happens two or three times a night.”
- “My 2.5-year-old doesn’t sleep until past midnight and has more stamina than I do!”
Poor sleep not only causes stress but can also impact a child’s physical and mental health. Sleep is crucial for brain development, growth, and a strong immune system.
Why Are Sleep Problems So Persistent?
A pediatrician from a specialized children’s hospital pointed out two main reasons:
- Lack of understanding of sleep basics
Many parents aren’t familiar with the general principles of infant sleep, making it hard to address problems effectively. For instance, teething or motor skill development can disrupt sleep, much like illness or vaccination. Knowing what to expect and how to respond can reduce unnecessary anxiety. - No clear sleep training strategy
Parents often try various methods without a systematic approach or give up if results aren’t immediate. This trial-and-error process can miss the opportunity to establish healthy sleep habits early.
The Solution: Teach Your Baby to Self-Soothe
The pediatrician’s advice is clear:
Help your baby overcome sleep disruptions and teach them self-soothing skills to establish a consistent sleep routine. While challenging, this effort can lead to long-term benefits—a well-rested baby and peaceful nights for the entire family.
Three Steps to Better Sleep
Step 1: Remove Sleep Disruptions and Understand Basics
Even if your baby already has sleep troubles, identifying and eliminating disruptions is essential.
- Create a dark and distraction-free environment
For instance, one parent installed blackout curtains but didn’t realize that light leaked from the top. Early sunlight woke the baby. Adding a curtain valance fixed the issue. Similarly, small appliance lights, like those on humidifiers or air conditioners, can disturb sensitive sleepers. - Account for developmental phases
Growth spurts or conditions like colic can disrupt sleep. Colic often occurs in babies under 3 months and is identified by the “3 Rule”: crying for at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks, accompanied by clenched fists and arched backs.
Step 2: Address Sleep Challenges by Age
Sleep training strategies differ by age.
- For 0–4 months:
Newborns struggle to fall asleep independently as their brains haven’t developed the ability to produce melatonin. To help them sleep:- Use soothing techniques like the “shush-pat” method, swaddling, or the 5S method (swaddle, side/stomach position, shush, swing, and suck).
- For 5 months and older:
Begin phasing out habits like rocking, feeding to sleep, or using pacifiers. Gradually shift from these to gentler methods like patting or staying nearby until your baby can fall asleep independently.
Step 3: Establish a Consistent Routine
Building a routine doesn’t have to be daunting. The key is combining knowledge of sleep science with your baby’s natural rhythm.
Once your baby has a predictable schedule, their internal clock will guide them to feel sleepy at the right time. Parents can then recognize sleep signals, like rubbing eyes or fussiness, and create an ideal sleep environment promptly.
Final Thoughts
Teaching your baby to sleep well requires patience and persistence, but the rewards—a well-rested family—are worth the effort. By understanding the root causes of sleep problems and adopting a systematic approach, you can make bedtime a peaceful and rejuvenating experience for everyone.
