How Music Can Help Your Baby Sleep Better
Lack of sleep can evoke multiple challenges for parents. Along with the exhaustion and frustration that often come with a baby who won’t sleep, parents must also find a solution that works for their family. One potential time-saving solution is to use music as a way to help soothe baby and even promote healthy sleeping patterns. Here are just some of the many ways music can help parents achieve a better night’s sleep for their little one.
Parents know how difficult it can be to find a consistent sleeping pattern for their baby. Music is a great way to help baby wind down and get ready to go to sleep without having to rely on other distracting techniques or movements. One of the greatest benefits of using music is that you can tailor it specifically for your child. From lullabies to calming instrumentals, parents can pick soothing music that will help baby learn to relax and eventually promote better sleeping habits.
Music can also be used to calm down a restless infant in the middle of the night. By playing soothing songs that the baby is familiar with, it can help create an atmosphere of relaxation and help the baby drift off to sleep. Additionally, the act of listening to calming music can serve as a distraction so the baby is not lying restlessly in the crib, but instead engaging his/her body and mind to the calming music until the baby completes his/her natural sleeping cycle.
Create a Bedtime Routine with Music
Using music as part of a bedtime routine can help send signals to a baby that it is time to start winding down. Even if it’s just a few minutes of music played in the background while the parent is carrying out the pre-bed rituals, this can be a great and simple way to create a connection between music and bedtime.
When the baby starts to associate the same type of music with bedtime every night, it can then serve as a cue that it’s time to get ready for a good night’s sleep. There’s no need to be playing the same song every night, but instead, parents can switch up the song so the baby does not get bored.
Make Your Own Albums or Playlists
Music doesn’t just have to be a part of a bedtime ritual, it can also help baby relax even before the parent initiates the bedtime routine. For little ones who are active and need help winding down after a long day of play, music is a great way to keep them entertained and relaxed. Compiling your own albums or playlists specifically for your child can help establish a strong connection to bedtime and sleep.
Parents should experiment and find the music their baby enjoys the most. You will know you found the right songs when your baby develops an appreciation and listens attentively. It is also important to make sure the songs are not too overstimulating so it does not disrupt natural sleeping patterns.
Parents should also take the time to discover a few different types of music so their children have new, different, yet calming songs to enjoy and relax to. When playing, make sure the volume is low enough so that the music can add to the atmosphere, but not disrupt sleep.
Benefit of Music for Sleep
- It creates a connection between music and bedtime.
- It can help establish a routine by serving as a cue that it’s time to proceed to bed.
- It can help keep babies entertained and relaxed before the bedtime routine.
- It can be used to calm down restlessness in the middle of the night.
- It stimulates and engages the body and mind to complete natural sleeping cycle.
Conclusion
As parents, finding the right sleeping pattern for your baby can be a long and challenging process. However, music can be a great solution in helping find a better night’s rest both for both of you. Whether it’s a part of the bedtime routine, helping to keep the baby entertained before bedtime, or simply calming down restlessness in the middle of the night, music can be a great tool to promote better sleep.