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<\/a><\/p>\nA<\/b>roma:\u00a0 Place something with a familiar smell near baby.\u00a0 Something that smells like mom or dad or a favorite cuddle item that smells familiar to baby is comforting<\/p>\n
B<\/b>reast\/Bottle:\u00a0 Not always ideal, but generally a feed will help calm an extremely fussy baby<\/b><\/p>\n
C<\/b>uddle: \u00a0Babies love to be close to someone they love so snuggle or cuddle up with baby.<\/b><\/p>\n
D<\/b>iaper:\u00a0 If baby won\u2019t settle, double check they didn\u2019t wet or mess their diaper since you started trying to put them to sleep.<\/b><\/p>\n
E<\/b>yes:\u00a0 Gently stroking around a baby\u2019s eyes will often make them drowsy.\u00a0 You can try on the temples, across the forehead, down the bridge of their nose or on the cheek, right under their eye.\u00a0 Some babies love this and settle quickly others HATE it!<\/p>\n
F<\/b>ingers:\u00a0 Let baby suck on his\/her fingers or a pacifier to help self soothe.<\/p>\n
G<\/b>low:\u00a0 A gentle projected image can distract baby and help calm them or help them drift off to sleep.<\/p>\n
H<\/b>eat:\u00a0 A baby who is too hot or too cold won’t settle. \u00a0Use a dress baby appropriately for the temperature and use a fan to provide cool air or if the room won\u2019t stay warm enough for a baby who\u2019s too small for blankets, try a space heater.<\/p>\n
I<\/b>gnore:\u00a0 Not the best choice for everyone and not good for real young babies, the \u201ccry it out\u201d method works for some parent\/baby pairs.<\/p>\n
J<\/b>aunt:\u00a0 A completely inconsolable baby will often gently drift off if taken for a ride in the buggy\/stroller or car.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
K<\/b>nead:\u00a0 A gentle baby massage will often calm a fussy baby.<\/p>\n
L<\/b>ight:\u00a0 Keep the lights as low as possible.\u00a0 Some babies sleep best in complete darkness, even for naps (in which case blackout curtains can be a lifesaver!)<\/p>\n
M<\/b>otion:\u00a0 Babies love to be moving.\u00a0 Swaying, rocking, gentle bouncing can all help calm a restless baby.<\/p>\n
N<\/b>oise:\u00a0 Once baby is asleep I find background noise (music or TV) is good for drowning out the normal household noises that may wake baby up.<\/p>\n
O<\/b>cean:\u00a0 Ocean, water, rain noise is very calming and getting baby used to the noise when settling for sleep is helpful in helping them learn to put themselves to sleep in the future.<\/p>\n
P<\/b>at: Patting the baby\u2019s but if a tummy sleeper or very gently on the chest can help lull a baby to sleep.<\/p>\n
Q<\/b>uiet: Keep the environment as quiet as possible while baby is trying to go to sleep with the exception of a noise machine if you choose to use one.<\/p>\n
R<\/b>hythm: Any rhythmic motion such as rocking, swaying or patting can be soothing.<\/p>\n
S<\/b>hhhh:\u00a0 Quietly \u201cshhhhing\u201d in baby\u2019s ear provides a familiar noise similar to the water noises and mimics the bloodflow noises baby heard in utero (apparently\u2026).<\/p>\n
T<\/b>ime:\u00a0 Ignore the clock and just focus on baby.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry about how long it\u2019s taking, just keep working at it.<\/p>\n
U<\/b>p: Try putting baby up on your shoulder.\u00a0 This position will ease stomach discomfort and allow them to snuggle close to places where you are warmest and your familiar smell is strongest.<\/p>\n
V<\/b>alidate: Let your baby know you understand s\/he is upset because s\/he is tired and you\u2019re trying to help him\/her go to sleep and what your expectations are (might sound crazy but babies understand more than we think!)<\/p>\n
W<\/b>ear:\u00a0 If you have a restless baby who won\u2019t sleep when you have something you really need to get done, put baby in a sling or carrier while you go about your tasks, the motion and closeness will often lull baby to sleep.<\/p>\n
X<\/b>-out stress: Clear out all stress and worry from your body by remaining calm and doing deep, cleansing breaths and sending the calm feelings to your baby when you start to feel overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
Y<\/b>awn:\u00a0 When baby yawns it means you\u2019re almost there, keep doing what is working!<\/p>\n
Z<\/b>zzzz:\u00a0 Success, you have a sleeping baby!<\/p>\nHere are some of the products that saved my sanity while helping each of my babies learn to be independent sleepers:<\/h5>\n
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