To teach your baby to self-soothe and rely on their natural ability to fall a sleep, follow these steps:
- Put your baby in the crib while drowsy but still awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own.
- If using a pacifier, it can be offered for comfort.
- Wait before intervening at every small sound or movement, as your baby may self-soothe and go back to sleep.
- Respond to your baby’s needs calmly and monitor for hunger cues or discomfort before picking them up.
- Use white noise to block external sounds.
- Keep the room quiet and dark at night using blackout curtains.
- Maintain a consistent sleep environment day and night to create a sense of security and establish a healthy sleep routine.