Crib and Sleep Hacks for Babies

Ready for some crib and sleep hacks for babies? We know that parents worry about infant sleep. There is so much information available about what to do, when to do it, and what you should absolutely avoid. But even when you know all the right things to do, sometimes your baby doesn’t cooperate.

When talking about safe sleep we often say that babies should be sleeping in either a crib, cradle, or bassinet. A lot of families who are expecting their first baby’s may see that information think that sounds simple enough. However once they are home with their newborn baby, parents might notice that their infant seems to be uncomfortable, grunty, or wake up immediately when put on their back in their beds. Their baby may hate being put down to sleep. That is where some of our sleep and crib hacks for babies come in!

One of the hardest parts of newborn sleep is the recommendation that babies sleep on their back. While this is absolutely best practice for safe sleep, most babies are not big fans of this position. That’s because babies are not used to being flat, alone, or cool. They are used to being the womb, where it is warm, noisy, and where they are constantly gently rocked. So sleeping in a cool room, on their backs, where there is a lot of stillness and calm can be rather unsettling for new babies.

As a doula, I have a few tricks that I use to get baby used to their beds!

So after a newborn baby feeds, I give time to ensure the milk settles into their stomach, but also for any gas in the stomach to come out. Babies have immature digestive systems and so indigestion is very common for new babies. Their esophageal sphincter which is right between the esophagus and stomach is still getting used to working. So by holding up baby, I am getting gravity to help settle everything where it should go. Nobody would want to lay flat if they felt pressure in their tummies!

In the early early days, babies have a lot of adaption they have to do earthside. I find many babies love the feeling of being hugged by a swaddle. Whether it is a muslin swaddle, the flannel swaddle given by the hospital, or a fancy velcro swaddle babies often settle when they feel cozy. It helps to control their moro reflexes which can make them feel like they are falling, and it helps preserve their warmth. I often swaddle babies and then hold them upright for the 15minutes

This is a helpful hack that can really help with crib transfers. Babies can register changes in temperature quickly, like the change from being snuggled in your arm to being laid on a cool mattress. When baby wakes up, try putting a hot water bottle or a heating pad on low on the mattress where baby was sleeping. Then do the feed, change diaper, feed more, burp, swaddle, and hold upright. Then when baby is asleep, I will take the pad (or water bottle) out of the bassinet and place baby on the warm patch. They tend to respond very well to this method!

Infant sleep can be tricky. It is also very different from older babies, children, and adults. Their circadian rhythms are different, melatonin production is different, and their perception of the world and stimulation is different. Using these sleep and crib hacks for babies can help to make your baby sleep like a dream. And if these hacks don’t seem to be what your baby needs, a postpartum doula may be just the trick!