Watching your baby drift into the dreamland is a heart-melting sight. The soft smile that adorns their lips is enough to make you cry happy tears. But putting a newborn to sleep is not easy, especially for the new parents. These bundle of joys crave extra pampering, care, and patience from their parents before going into the night slumber.

So what to do to calm these little beings and put them to bed? Well, you can resolve this constant problem by creating a comfortable sleep space for your baby where they feel safe and content. From the type of crib you choose to the nightdress you make them wear - every tiny thing can promote or disrupt your kid’s sleep.

In this guide, we have mentioned some effective practices that you can incorporate to create a happy sleep space for your kid. They are easy to follow and will help you catch some extra hours of sleep. So, let’s explore the:

Best ways to make sleep space for babies

1. Know about the crib

The first thing that comes to your mind when talking about your baby’s sleep is a crib. It is the place where they spend most of their time playing, sleeping, etc. So, it is essential to make informed decisions regarding the crib to ensure your baby sleeps well.

Choose the right crib

As an adult, you can understand the importance of a comfy sleeping space. Coming to your bed after a hectic day instantly relaxes your body and mind. Your tiny tots also seek the same comfort when sleeping. Thus, parents need to find the right crib for them.

Look for a crib that offers comfort and safety at the same time. Their design should satisfy all the safety standards without affecting the sleep quality. The crib must have a firm mattress with a snug side fit.

Safe bedding items

Ensure the bedding you use for your kid’s crib is made of soft, breathable fabric. Moreover, do not use crib bumpers or heavy blankets and pillows. These items can cause overheating or suffocation to your tiny baby. Always choose lightweight blankets or sleep sacks to keep your baby warm at night.

You can choose a mustard pillow for your kids. This special pillow saves your child from flat-head syndrome by offering gentle support and evenly distributing head pressure.

Crib positioning

In addition to the crib quality and bedding, it is essential to position the crib in the right place to aid your child’s sleep. You can place the crib away from windows, sockets, direct sunlight, heaters, or any other electrical gadget.

Plus, wires should be out of your baby's reach and far from their cribs. Because you never know when these mischievous beings can decide to pull or play with these cords like their other toys.

2. Calming atmosphere for nursery

Kids are prone to get startled while sleeping. This causes them to wake up crying. Though startling can be due to various reasons, you can take precautionary steps to limit its frequency. For this, you must create a calming environment in your baby’s nursery by following the given below practices:

Ideal lighting

When designing your baby’s nursery, you must pay special attention to the lighting. The right lighting can improve sleeping patterns by offering instant relaxation to the whole body.

For starters, you can invest in dimmable lights, which allow you to adjust the brightness according to your child’s needs. Contrarily, you can use a night lamp with a soft glow. This gives visibility without hampering your kid’s sleep.

Adding blackout curtains or shades can block the light and spread darkness for a good sleep. The setup works well for daytime naps.

Maintain silence

Kids are light sleepers. Even a meek whisper or discomfort can awaken them from their slumber. These sleep disruptions cause insufficient sleep, eventually negatively affecting your kid’s health. Ensure your baby’s sleep space or nursery is free from noise.

Choose white noise

White noise or relaxing sounds are an excellent solution for improving sleep in newborns. The soft audio restricts distractions, offering a peaceful ambiance for a good sleep. Moreover, white noise effectively calms the mind, reducing stress.

Maintaining ideal temperature

Room temperature plays a vital role in providing good sleep. An excessively hot or cold temperature can make your kid fussy. Reports consider a temperature between 68 and 72 Fahrenheit as ideal for kids.

Monitor the temperature using a room thermometer and adjust for perfect balance. To make your baby comfortable, you can change the AC or fan settings, the night dress, etc.

Proper ventilation

Your baby’s sleeping space should have good ventilation. Ideal air circulation creates a comfortable ambiance in the room. It saves your kid from suffocation, bad smell, and excessive heat. Thus blessing them with a relaxing sleep.

3. Right clothing for your baby

Clothes can immensely affect your baby’s sleep. How? Let’s find out in the pointers here:

Comfortable sleepwear

Choose nightwear that suits the weather and is comfortable for your little one. Your baby’s skin is delicate, so you must choose soft and breathable fabrics. Also, avoid buffing your kid with multiple layers of clothes. This might burden their body and trouble their sleep.

Swaddling techniques

Swaddling refers to an ancient practice in which you wrap your baby in a light, breathable cloth to make them relaxed and sleepy. To prevent suffocation, you only wrap the baby’s body, not its head or neck.

The process simulates the baby’s stay inside the uterus, helping them adjust to their surroundings. Studies suggest that swaddling helps newborns avoid frequent awakenings from sleep.

4. Preach safe sleep rituals

You can incorporate safe sleep rituals into your routine to help your kid enjoy a good afternoon nap or a long night's sleep. These practices can also protect your kid against the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS refers to the instant and unexplained demise of a healthy baby, usually younger than 1 year old. Though completely unpredictable, the threat of SIDS can be depleted by following safe sleep rituals explained here:

• Always place your baby on their back for sleep.
• Keep items, such as pillows, toys, blankets, etc., out of the crib.

5. Effective nighttime practices

Given below are some essential practices that you must follow to ensure a comfortable and safe sleep for your newborn:

Setting bedtime ritual

Establishing a fixed bedtime for your kid can be an effective step in making a comfortable sleep routine for them. For this, you can create a multi-step sleep process. You can start the process with a warm bath followed by book reading, playtime, or any activity your kid enjoys, and end with cuddles.

Your child’s body will soon become accustomed to this routine and start reacting intuitively when you start the process.

Monitoring signs of discomfort

Putting your child to sleep doesn’t end your duty as a parent. Your kid needs constant monitoring even after dozing off, especially the newborns. Keep an eye on your baby to assess the signs of discomfort in their sleep.

This can be due to external conditions, body illness, or hunger. Once you know the problem, you can take the necessary steps and drift them back to sleep.

6. Switching to a Toddler Bed

Watching their tiny baby grow is a parent's happiest and saddest moment. They feel happy because their child is turning into a beautiful individual and disappointed because they can’t carry them in their arms anymore.

When you realize your baby is not fitting in his crib, quickly shift him to a toddler bed. Ensure the bed has guardrails and a soft mattress.

Wrapping up

Giving your child a nurturing sleep space can be one of the best gifts you can give them. It not only relaxes their tiny bodies but also aids their holistic growth and development. Whether it is a nap or a night's sleep, a comfortable environment can make your baby sleep peacefully. Follow the practices mentioned in this article and enjoy a happy sleep schedule for you and your baby.