Figuring out how to get your baby to sleep (and get some sleep yourself!) is one of the biggest challenges parents face during a child’s first year. Read on to see some of our readers’ biggest sleep challenges and solutions for getting everyone a good night’s sleep.
Question: My newborn always wakes herself up with her flailing arms. Help!
Answer: Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle! Wrapping your newborn up in a swaddle blanket will help keep her from startling herself with flailing arms and remind her of that same confined sensations she had in the womb which is very soothing to infants. Look for a swaddle blanket that has some stretchiness to it and isn’t too thick like these from Aden + Anais. Ask an fellow parent for their swaddle technique or check out a video online for a demonstration. There are also a number of specialty swaddle blankets that are designed to make the swaddling process easier like Aden + Anais’ Easy Swaddle or Ergobaby Swaddler.
Question: Our family travels a lot. How can I ensure my baby will sleep well when we’re in a new location?
Answer: While many adults don’t even sleep as well when they aren’t in their own bed, you can help your baby get the best chance at a good night’s sleep by create a bedtime routine that can be replicated just about anywhere. While a nightly bath or 20 minutes in the rocking chair might be hard to duplicate at grandma’s house or a hotel, soothing techniques like a familiar lullaby, calming white noise or a special blanket or stuffed animal can be easy to provide wherever you are putting your baby down. 
A sound machine that runs off an AC adaptor or batteries making it easy to take on the go. Cloud B also make a variety of portable plush animals that combine soothing sounds, scents or sights that can help signal your child that it’s time to sleep.
Question: My baby sleeps like a dream when he has his pacifier, but the minute he drops it, he screams until I come in to find it for him. I end up getting up multiples times a night just to find his paci for him.
Answer: Help make the pacifier easier for your baby to retrieve on his own with one of these adorable WubbaNub pets. The paci/plush toy combo offers dual comfort and makes it easy for your child to locate the pacifier on his own. Choose from a frog, kitten, dog, dinosaur, elephant or caterpillar.
Question: With three children, I frequently need to be in the car during my baby’s naptime bringing the older children to practices and events. How can I help my baby get to sleep when we’re in the car?
Answer: While many babies are automatically soothed by the gentle jostling of a moving car, some kids may need more help falling asleep when you’re on the road. Babies can be easily over-stimulated by their surroundings, so try to remove some of the distracting sights and sounds around them. A car window shade can help block out the sun and distractions outside the window while this infant seat cover provides a safe way to block out light, noise and curious siblings to help your infant snooze.
Question: I’m have a hard time leaving my preemie alone for naps or bedtime. I feel like I’m constantly going in the nursery to check on him!
Answer: To give yourself peace of mind and keep your check-ins from waking baby up, invest in a video baby monitor that can help you keep an eye on junior without going in the room. Look for a baby monitor that has infrared night vision, a high-quality screen, and can be adjusted to get the best view of your baby. You may also want to look at a video baby monitor that includes an under-the-mattress movement sensor pad like this one from Angelcare which will allow you to see, hear and ensure baby is breathing normally all from the comfort of your own bed.
