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Baby Gear
10 tips to help your baby sleep better
You’ve heard that babies can sleep up to 17 hours a day. Yet you're sitting there with red eyes, consuming copious amounts of coffee, and can't remember the last time your little one let you sleep through the night.
Sometimes sleepless nights can be caused by your baby being poorly, so it's important to always listen to your gut as a parent. If you suspect your baby is sick or has colic, always talk to your midwife. But there may also be a more simple solution. Here are some invaluable tips to keep your baby (and you) snoozing sweetly.
1) Create a routine before bedtime
It's not just us adults who benefit from routines — babies do too. Try doing the same things every night: reading a story, singing the same song, using a sleeping bag. Cocooning your baby in a baby sleeping bag every time they're due for sleep becomes a lovely cue that lets them know bedtime is coming, offering reassurance and a clear signal that it's time to wind down.
2) Dress your baby in temperature appropriate clothing
We all want to be comfortable in bed, and babies are no different. A good rule of thumb: think about how you're dressed, and choose your baby's sleepwear accordingly. A baby sleeping bag keeps your baby comfortably warm during sleep, and adding the insert gives extra warmth on chilly evenings.
Read more: What should my baby wear for bed underneath a sleeping bag?
3) Wear skin-to-skin
Babies who are carried in a baby carrier or baby wrap tend to settle into better sleep patterns. A 2022 research review in the Academic Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatology found that extended babywearing is linked to improved infant sleep organization, along with reduced crying and fewer signs of anxiety — babies who are carried often sleep longer, deeper, and more peacefully.
Read more: 5 reasons to carry in a pre-tied baby wrap
4) Follow your baby's tiredness and hunger cues
It's easy to assume less daytime sleep means more sleep at night — but if your baby isn't allowed or able to nap when they need to, they risk becoming overtired come evening, which often backfires into a harder bedtime, not an easier one.
The same goes for hunger. Generally speaking, a baby who's had a good feed settles better, deeper, and for longer, so it's worth making sure your little one isn't heading to bed with an empty tummy. Watching for your own baby's tired and hungry cues — rather than sticking to a strict external schedule — is usually the more reliable guide.
5) Use a baby carrier, or babynest, during the day
Baby carriers and Babynest SleepCarriers really are the perfect nap spots. You can keep your baby close at all times, and the gentle rocking motion works like a natural sleep aid for your little one — meaning you don't have to plan your entire day around a sleep schedule.
6) Rock your baby to sleep
The rhythmic movements of rocking are reminiscent of the mother's womb. So rocking your baby back and forth in a carrier or babynest before bedtime provides a sense of security and calm for your little one. If you want the rocking to keep going after you've sat down, you might want to check out the Najell Rocker.
7) Give your baby a safe sleeping environment
Babies like to fall asleep in familiar places. The Najell SleepCarrier provides a recognizable safe environment for your baby to sleep in, no matter where you are.
8) Some babies fall asleep easier with white noise
White noise is a low-frequency sound similar to what babies heard in the womb, which is why many associate it with the safe, comfortable feeling of being close to their mother. If you'd like to try it, you'll find plenty of white noise playlists on Spotify and other streaming services.
9) Have everything you need ready
Keep nappies, wipes, and a dimmed night light by the bed. With the Najell Changing Pad, you can have all your nappy essentials in one place and close at hand — meaning everyone gets back to sleep faster.
10) Still not working? Try this trick
New dad Nathan got his three-month-old to sleep in just 40 seconds — without anything more than a tissue. The idea is that a light, repetitive brush near the face can echo the kind of gentle, rhythmic sensory input babies find soothing, similar to swaddling or stroking. It won't work for every baby every time, but it's a fun, harmless one to have in your back pocket for a rough night. Check out the video to see it in action.
Products for peaceful, safe sleep
If you're looking for a smart, cosy place for your baby to sleep, the Babynest SleepCarrier fits neatly into your stroller and can be lifted out and carried without waking your baby, thanks to its handles. And carrying your baby in a baby carrier or baby sling during the day doubles as a genuine sleep aid — all while leaving you with two free hands to get on with your day.