How to Get Your Baby to Sleep—Anywhere
Getting a baby to sleep peacefully is hard. Here are tips for developing a routine so she sleeps wherever she goes!
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Stay in motion so she'll nap on walks.
Turn your stroller into a “napmobile” by reclining the seat so your child can stretch out. Some babies need constant motion to go to sleep and stay asleep. “If you stop moving, and your baby wakes up after too short of a nap, then start moving again,” West advises. Also, consider using a stroller shade to block out light and distractions. “This is especially helpful for alert babies who have a harder time shutting the world out to go to sleep.”
Use the car's motion to encourage sleep.
Car seat naps can go a long way toward keeping your tot’s daily sleep requirements met. If possible, plan car rides at your baby’s regular nap times to make it easier for her to snooze, West advises. Play relaxing, soft music, if any, and consider putting up a shade on the car window next to your child’s seat.
Don't let vacation get in the way of nap time.
Bring a familiar piece of home—your little one’s favorite lovey or teether—to comfort and soothe her to sleep when you're away. West also recommends setting the scene: “quieting the environment, dimming the lights, playing soothing music, reading.” Finally, sticking to a consistent bedtime, eliminating noise, and slowing down with a low-key activity will cue baby’s body for sleep—and it works for parents, too.
