One of the most searched questions by new mothers or generally by mothers is “How to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds?” However, today we are here to answer it to solve your frustrating query!
Highlight:
- Putting a baby to sleep in 40 minutes is not a difficult task now as you can follow our tips and tricks.
- To make a baby fall asleep, it is important to understand the “baby sleep cycles”.
- One shouldn’t ignore the baby’s sleeping signs.
- You should follow the “Five S’s” for infants of 4 months and younger.
Usually, parents try everything to keep their baby in a happy mood and keep down the crying part as it causes discomfort.
It is a full-time job to keep the baby happy by changing their diapers, feeding them on time, and pulling funny faces to make them smile.
As a parent, everyone knows that there is nothing more aggravating and frustrating than putting your baby to sleep. It is one of the greatest challenges for every new parent. Many parents try different methods and techniques to put their baby to sleep but mostly they go in vain.
However, luckily, there are ways through which you can put the baby to sleep faster. They might take creativity and effort on your end, but one can put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
So, how to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds? Whether you have an older baby or a newborn baby, our tips and tricks can help you to put your baby to sleep.
You can also consult an expert pediatrician in Pakistan if your baby doesn’t fall asleep easily.
READ 10 Child Issues Parents Face After Their First Child!
Baby Sleep Cycles
If you want to put a baby to sleep, then it is essential to first understand the science behind the baby’s sleep.
Most babies sleep all day and night and only wake up for feedings after every 3 hours, generally. When they feel tired, you can see an evident change in their behavior.
When the babies are tired or sleepy they become “zoned out” and start rubbing their eyes. It is a sign to get the baby to sleep. Otherwise, they will cry, cause a fuss, or give jerkier movements.
If you wait for so long until the baby is totally exhausted can cause a stress response that releases cortisol (the stress hormone) and adrenaline.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the cues of tiredness and put them to sleep as early as possible.
One should follow the “Five S’s” for infants of 4 months and younger:
- Shushing
- Swaddling
- Sucking
- Side Lying
- Swinging
Some babies just need one or two of the above-mentioned things to get into a sleeping state, while others need all the 5 S’s to sleep.
How to Put a Baby to Sleep in 40 Seconds?
Apart from just giving them a dark and quiet place to baby, there are certain things that you can do to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
Following are the things that you can perform to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
1. The Tissue Trick
One of the best and most successful tricks to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds is “The Tissue Trick”.
You must be surprised to know that a single piece of tissue can put a baby to sleep.
In 2013, a YouTuber and Australian father posted a video which shows that how he put his 3-month-old baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
The trick is explained here!
All you need is a tissue paper. Take it and slowly and gently drag the tissue paper on the child’s face constantly until their eyes start to close.
The repeated movement will comfort and relax the baby and put the baby to sleep in less than a minute.
One thing to keep in mind is to use dry tissue paper. Do not use a wet wipe because it won’t work and cause misery and the baby will cause fuss.
Research conducted in 2006 showed that massaging babies under the age of 6 months can help them cry less, sleep better, and less stress.
2. The White Noise Machine
If your baby is fussing around and not sleeping quickly, then you can try a white noise machine. It produces sounds which mask other sounds in the environment. This can help the baby to fall asleep and also aid them to fall asleep in a noisy environment.
The science behind white noise is that the white noise corresponds to the same environment as a woman’s womb. Hence, the white noise comforts the baby and allows the baby to fall asleep quickly.
The essential thing is to remember that the sound shouldn’t be too loud to shake them awake. You have to experiment with different volumes and sounds to find the perfect combo for your baby.
If you don’t own a white noise machine, then you can make one with household appliances. For instance, a hairdryer or washing machine. You can place the crib of the baby in the room close to the washing machine. The white noise of the washing machine can calm the baby and make the baby fall asleep.
On the other hand, the hairdryer works similarly. You can switch on the hairdryer for a minute to produce the sound effect. However, make sure that it is not blowing in the direction of the baby.
3. Swing and Swaddle
Swing and swaddle is a method that allows the baby to feel safe and puts them to sleep conveniently.
Moreover, the swing, Shh, and swaddle technique is a combo of sound and motion that makes the babies feel safe. It also mimics the closed space your child had in the mother’s womb.
Like old people swing in a rocking chair, you can softly rock the baby in your arms until they fall asleep.
In this technique, put a soft blanket around the baby and hold the baby close to your chest on their side. Now gently swing them back and forth and gently whisper the “shh, shh, shh” sound.
When the baby falls asleep, gently place the baby in the cot or bed.
4. Touch to Relax Baby
Touch has been used for years to relax and put the baby to fall asleep.
Tickles, light strokes, and massage can relax, calm, and put the baby to sleep in less than a minute. You can stroke the cheeks, arms, or forehead of the baby.
You can use the touch to make your baby sleep in the middle of the night when they wake up. Gently and softly stroking the palms, chest, and cheeks before sleep at night can make them fall asleep and also put them back to sleep.
Before putting the baby to sleep, one should give the baby a nice warm bath and then softly massage them. After that, place a soft blanket around them. Then give them a warm bottle of milk or breastfeed them while patting their back. This will calm the baby and put them to sleep.
Another trick is to position the baby flat on your stomach. In this way, the motion of your heartbeat and breathing will correspond to the same environment as the womb and help the baby to dose off sleep.
5. Running Water
Babies love the sound of running water and rain. The sound calms the baby’s mind and puts them to sleep quickly.
Moreover, it not only makes the baby feel calm but also allows a person of every age to relax and fall asleep.
However, it doesn’t mean to put your baby near a running tap or outside in the rain.
For this, you can play a recording of rain or running water until the baby falls asleep. You can also put the baby’s cot near a window if it is raining outside. But make sure that your baby doesn’t catch a cold.
6. Use Calming Lotion
After a soothing warm bath, it is an excellent idea to massage the baby’s skin with calming or baby lotions. It can allow the baby to relax and calm.
Clinical studies indicate that utilizing calming lotions with Lavender aids newborns and babies in falling asleep quickly. It is best to use this before nap time, bedtime, or any time when the baby is struggling to sleep.
The calming lotions can relax the skin of the babies and make them fall asleep.
7. Chanting
Last but not least, an incredible relaxation trick that has been used for years to make the baby fall asleep is chanting.
Chanting can relax and calm the baby. Babies and infants love to hear the voice of their parents. Hence, chanting is the best way to soothe the baby when it is their time to sleep.
By chanting, you’re making the baby soothed by the voice which allows them to sleep quickly.
You can also make “ooommm” sound continuously or can even hum a melody or sing a lullaby when they are in their bed or when you’re swaddling them.
It is a simple method that is effective and has immediate results.
Things to Avoid When Putting Your Baby to Sleep
For every new parent, it is overwhelming or struggling for them to fall the baby’s asleep.
Therefore, we have provided you with a short list of things you should avoid doing when trying to put the baby to sleep:
- Set a sleep schedule for your baby
- Don’t let them nap/sleep too late
- Don’t ignore their sleeping cues
- Don’t frequently change their sleeping times
The Bottom Line
Always remember that commitment and consistency are the keys to putting a baby to sleep in 40 seconds.
You should pick a method and stick with it for at least a week. This gives your baby time to adjust to the method. You can ingrain creativity into every technique and fix a technique that will make your baby calm, relax, and fall asleep.
With the above-mentioned techniques, bedtime and sleeping become less of a battleground.
If you find it hard to put your baby to sleep or your baby cries a lot or makes a lot of fuss before sleeping, then you should consult the best pediatrician in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
You can also book an in-clinic appointment or video consultation with any doctor in Pakistan by downloading our application or calling us at 03111222398.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the 5 minute rule for baby sleep?
The 5-minute rule for baby sleep is holding and walking with the baby for 5 minutes without sudden movements. After that, hold the baby for 5-8 minutes while sitting before laying the baby down for sleep.
2. How can I make my baby fall asleep faster?
One should follow the “Five S’s” for infants of 4 months and younger to make your baby fall asleep faster:
- Shushing
- Swaddling
- Sucking
- Side Lying
- Swinging