How to put a baby to sleep? We asked a baby sleep expert

That's why I decided to go to a true expert for answers. Marijke den Baas lives in Prague and is a certified sleep consultant dedicated to baby sleep training.

A: Why are we so worried about our children's sleep?

M: Sleep is very important for the development of babies as well for the parents, because lack of sleep makes daily life more difficult. At the same time, it tends to be a very hot topic and one of the first things your friends ask about when you bring a baby into the world. "How does your little one sleep? Can he sleep through the night?" Such an innocent question can be very uncomfortable and daunting for you if you have just gone through your fifth night in a row with a crying and very sleep-deprived baby. 

A: Is baby sleep really a pressing issue for so many parents?

M: I can assure all parents who struggle to get their babies to sleep that they are definitely not alone. Approximately 40% of babies between the ages of 4 and 12 months need little or big help with falling asleep and staying asleep. 

I want to point out that there is no shame in applying sleep training and that it can be done with great love and care. Most babies learn to fall asleep and stay asleep regularly in as little as 2 weeks as a result. By guiding your child towards regular bedtime, you will be giving them a great, lifelong skill. And of course: the better your child sleeps, the better your sleep will be!

A: There is a huge amount of advice and tips for a good sleep on the internet (not only). So how do you know which advice is the right one?

M: The number one piece of advice is to reassure yourself right from the start by knowing that really any baby, toddler or young child can learn to fall asleep regularly and sleep through the night. Just as they learn to walk or eat solid food. The reason there are so many different opinions and methods is simple - every baby and their needs are different. Therefore, you need to find the right technique that fits your baby's nature and your own parenting style.

A: How do I know if my baby has a sleep problem?

M: First of all, the sleeping situation is only a problem if it is uncomfortable for the parents and baby. If you feel okay with the situation, please don’t change it, no matter what other people say! However, if you are at the stage where your baby has difficulties falling asleep without your help, it is probably due to an incorrect sleep association that the baby has developed. A sleep association is a habit or situation that your baby needs in order to fall asleep and to stay asleep. 

Perhaps your baby always falls asleep while swinging, or has sleep associated with feeding. Some babies cannot fall asleep without lying on their mother's chest or being rocked in a stroller. These are very common occurrences in babies that can ultimately create very stressful situations for the whole family. 

A: Since when is a baby actually able to pick up and learn sleep habits? 

M: Earlier than one might think! Every baby creates sleep cycles naturally during its development in the womb when different types of sleep (deep and light) are formed that follow us throughout our lives. The development of these cycles does not fully complete until around 3 to 4 months of age. After that your child begins to regulate his or her own sleep. This is also often the time when parents first begin to wonder if their child is having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep because they will notice the first serious sleep issues popping up with their baby. 

This is called sleep regression. Your previously quiet, little sleeper can turn into a nighttime screamer within a week. This moment can be really difficult for parents.  At the same time, this is a great opportunity to start teaching your child healthy sleep habits . 

A: So, as a parent, what can I start doing to make my baby sleep better?

M: One of the first steps is to create a regular wind down ritual that is tailored to you and your baby. This ritual will soothe your baby while signaling that it's time to go to sleep. This should include some calming activities such as reading a book or singing a song. If you repeat this every day, your baby will quickly learn to recognise these activities and start to be ready for bed. Of course, the wind down ritual does not only apply to small babies. You can vary it and apply it for many years to come.

A: Is it possible to somehow spoil your baby and cause them an overdependence on the parent? 

M: New parents don't have to worry about spoiling their baby with too much attention. In the first few months of life, it is impossible for your child to become unhealthily dependent on you in any way. As many studies have shown, a parent's quick response makes a crying baby calmer and happier. By promptly comforting them, a bond of trust is formed. So definitely don't be afraid to always be close to your babies and give them as much cuddling as they need.

A: How to put a newborn to sleep? Can I use any accessories for it?

M: Sleep training is not required for newborns since their bodies and sleep habits have not fully developed yet. Once your baby leaves the newborn phase at 12 weeks, it is a great time to start focusing more on sleep and to create healthy sleep habits.

However, we can take advantage of the fact that most newborns have a naturally strong sucking reflex, which, apart from the obvious reasons, also has a relaxing effect. Therefore, pacifiers can be a great tool to soothe your baby. But remember that every baby has a unique anatomy and their own preferences. That's why it's always a good idea to try out different shapes and types of pacifiers to see which one your little one likes best. 

A: Pacifiers are often associated with various concerns and bad experiences of parents. Are there situations when it is better to avoid them?
M: As I mentioned, pacifiers have a calming effect, especially on a newborn's sleep. However, once a baby reaches about 3 months of age, it might become a little bit more difficult to use the pacifier at night. If your baby loses the pacifier during sleep, it will likely wake up crying until it gets it back. That's why after the 3rd month, it's better to introduce other soothing techniques instead of using the pacifier.

A: So what are some good calming tools to continue with in the coming months?
M: If your baby is 6 months or older, a lovey (comforting toy) may be just the right crib companion. It's a toy in the shape of a rabbit or perhaps a teddy bear that your baby really likes and makes them feel safer when they sleep. Most babies like one particular stuffed animal or toy. So allow them to take it to bed with them. A cuddly sleeping blanket can also work as a comforting toy. At the same time, make sure that the baby doesn't have too many toys in the crib. These can be distracting and prevent the baby from falling asleep. 

A: Which ideal environment to create in the room to support the baby's sleep?

M: This fact is uncommon, but did you know that babies don't like to sleep in complete silence? They are so used to the sounds of their mother's body that they prefer different background noises. So, during the day and night, you can help your baby sleep by playing "white noise" in the room. You can do this with an app on your phone or with a white noise machine. Alternatively, you can use the preset melodies in your baby monitor. 

Using blackout curtains is another great way to help your baby sleep longer. The light stimulates the production of the hormone serotonin, which wakes up the body and activates the muscles. So, unless we want our baby to wake up with the first rays of the morning sun, it's a good idea to keep the room they sleep in as dark as possible until the time we want the baby to wake up. 

Last but not least, think about using good quality nappies that will ensure your baby's comfort throughout the night.

Not being able to sleep is never pleasant (neither for the child nor for the parents), and you may feel at some point that you must be going insane. Fortunately, there are solutions. Even the most demanding sleepers can learn to fall asleep and sleep (all night!) without their parents. 

Whether you find good advice in a book or reach for help from a sleep coach, teaching your child to sleep is a guaranteed way to restore balance in the lives of everyone in your family. 

5 BASIC TIPS FOR A RESTFUL BABY SLEEP 

1.Provide your baby with a peaceful sleeping space

Minimize distractions in the room where the baby sleeps, such as too many toys in the cot or toys on the floor. Create a dark room to have as little interaction of light as possible. Also make sure that your child is not too warm or too cold. Try to make sure that your baby falls asleep in the same place where it wakes up, i.e. in an environment that it remembers just before falling asleep.

2. Create a routine

Children, like adults, like routines because they know what to expect from them. Keep time windows for meals, activities and sleep. This will help your baby’s body to know when it is time for bed, which will make them sleep better. This will help your child to not become over tired. 

3.Be consistent

As with learning any skill, the key to success is patience and regularity. For your children and their sleep habits, this is equally true. Therefore, try to stick to the chosen sleep technique as much as you can to ensure your baby will learn how to sleep quickly.

4.Listen to your child's needs

There is no one-size-fits-all guide to getting your baby to sleep in 40 seconds. Be aware of your baby, his moods, energy levels and other needs and enjoy every little sleep progress you make together.

5.Listen to yourself

Don't let yourself down by the reactions or doubts of people around you. Always use your own instincts and judgment, whether in sleep training or other educational methods.