How to Put a Baby to Sleep in 40 Seconds or Less: Tips and Tricks for New Parents

Becoming a new parent is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it can also be incredibly challenging. One of the most difficult aspects of parenting is putting your newborn baby to sleep.

Whether you’re dealing with a colicky baby, a teething toddler, or a child who simply refuses to sleep, it can be a frustrating and exhausting experience. But, don’t worry! I’m here to help.

With these 7 tips and tricks, you’ll be able to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds or less.

What you can do to put your baby to sleep in 40 seconds

Step 1: Calming Your Baby

The first step in getting your baby to sleep quickly is to calm them down. This can be done by creating a soothing environment in the baby’s room. Make sure the room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature.

You can also use a white noise machine or a calming sound to help your baby feel more relaxed. Soft lighting, such as a nightlight, can be helpful to provide a low-light environment for the baby to fall asleep.

You have to remember to babies the world is a new and exciting place full of things to be discovered. How would you feel going to sleep on the set of your favorite movie, before you had the chance to see everything or on the side of a football field?

So make the surroundings as dull and bland as possible. A low-murmured conversation with your partner while you have the little one in your lap or on your shoulder, gently rocking, can sometimes work wonders. Human speech is very effective if you want to make babies fall asleep, after all newborn babies had 9 months of hearing your voice in their dreams.

The same goes for your mood, babies are very receptive to the atmosphere, and the more laid-back you are the easier it is for them to relax, too.

Step 2: Things to Think Of

When putting your baby to sleep, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most important things is to make sure your baby is well-fed and has a clean diaper.

A full stomach and a clean diaper will help your baby feel more comfortable and less likely to wake up. You should also make sure that your baby is dressed comfortably and not too warm or cold.

Once all those things are taken care of, there is nothing in the way for your baby to sleep comfortably, but sometimes there is more discomfort.

Step 3: What Could Be a Problem

If your baby is still having trouble falling asleep, there could be a problem. As a parent, we worry if our little one is crying and doesn’t want to fall asleep, especially with newborns. Some common problems why babies are fussy, stay awake, and have a hard time getting rest at night (even though they are tired) include: 

Times of Teething

Fortunately, teething comes and goes, so it is not forever, even when it feels that way. When a baby is teething you can just try to make your little one as comfortable as possible. Don’t let them get overtired on top of it, it won’t make your life easier.

Colic Phases

Try to rock or sway your baby in changing positions, as it can help to get rid of the gas. Some kids love being carried in the airplane position (laying on your arm facing the floor) or gently stroking their belly clockwise.

You could also try soothing teas like Fennel or chamomile as they are calming the gastrointestinal tract. If your baby has colic regularly you may want to look at your baby’s diet to see if there could be a reason for it.

Ear infection

An ear infection occurs if the middle ear isn’t ventilated properly. So if your little one has a cold, or a respiratory infection, watch out that they are hydrated and their nose is free. Keeping the mucus fluid and the passages unblocked. That way you can avoid (maybe not all) but many of those ear infections.

Stuffed nose

Not being able to breathe through your nose is uncomfortable and on top of it you lose a lot more water breathing through your mouth.

So as mentioned above, keep your child hydrated and also try nasal spray to get rid of the stuffed nose for a better night’s sleep. Saltwater nasal sprays can be a good non-medicated option and make it easier to not overly use the medicated ones (more than the advised number of times per day). A free nose at bedtime makes falling asleep easier.

Also carrying your child upright in combination with something to drink can help to go back to sleep faster if they are waking up a lot.

If you are uncertain or have a feeling something is wrong, it’s important to speak with your pediatrician. This applies especially if you suspect any kind of infection or pain. There is nothing wrong with seeking help.

With time you know your infants signs and it will get easier to guess what’s the matter.

Development and Sleep regression

Additionally, there are times your baby is reaching a new stage of development or milestone. At such stages babies sleep more (more naps during the day), are seeking your attention or are more whiny than usual.

And then there are phases baby’s sleep schedule is changing. When they are in the middle of a sleep regression, it is normal for them to have difficulty falling asleep. Maybe you need to adjust their nap times (like drop to one nap a day) so your baby sleeps easier in the evenings. I know those times aren’t easy but I promise it will pass.

Step 4: Why Is My Baby Not Sleeping

If your baby is not sleeping well, it could be due to several reasons. Some common causes for your baby beeing wide awake include over-stimulation, a sugar high, lack of routine, and an uncomfortable sleeping environment. By addressing these issues, you can help your baby sleep better.

For instance, over-stimulation can be avoided by avoiding screen time before bed, snuggling, and looking at a book together is much more calming.

Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help establish a sense of security for your baby, it helps to set their body clock, making it easier for them to fall asleep. And sometimes your little one will fight sleep, but there is something you can do against it.

Step 5: 7 Tricks How You Can Help Your Baby Fall Asleep Quickly

So to put a baby to sleep in less than a minute you have to find the perfect combination for you and your baby.

Try the following tricks alone or in combination to promote sleep. By watching your child you’ll find the perfect combination for your baby to fall asleep in no time. Here are 7 simple tips so your baby sleeps quickly and gets a good night’s sleep:

1. Rocking or swaying your baby gently before bedtime.

2. Singing a lullaby or playing soft music.

3. Using a pacifier or breastfeeding them.

4. Give your baby a warm bath before bed.

5. Swaddling your baby in a soft blanket. 

6. Using a baby sleep aid such as a nightlight or white noise machine.

7. Creating a consistent bedtime routine (sleep schedule).

Helpful Tips/ Summary

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when putting your baby to sleep:

• An overtired baby often fights sleep. If your little one is showing sleep cues or signs of fatigue, put them to bed as soon as possible. Don’t let infants get overtired.
• Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime such as playing with toys or watching TV.
• Make sure your baby’s sleeping environment is comfortable, dark, and quiet.
• Avoid using your phone, tablet, or other electronic devices in the baby’s room, as the blue light emitted from these devices can disrupt the baby’s sleep cycle
• Try to put your baby to sleep at the same time every night to establish a consistent sleep schedule
• Consider using a baby carrier or baby sling to soothe your baby while you move around the house or run errands. Close contact and movement can help calm your baby and make them feel more secure. And you have your hands free for the things you need to do.
• A baby swing is also a good option to get some rest for parents and baby alike. Your tired baby is in a comfortable position, will gently swing back and forth and feel sleepy in no time. Wether it’s for putting your baby down for a quick nap or ready for bed it’s a simple trick many parents swear by.
• Be patient and don’t get discouraged if your baby doesn’t fall asleep right away. Every baby is different and it may take some time to find the right combination of techniques that work for your child. 

In short, putting your baby to sleep can be a challenging task for new parents, but with the right approach and a little (or a little more) patience, you can put most babies to sleep in less than a minute.

By creating a soothing environment, keeping your baby well-fed and comfortable, and using a consistent bedtime routine, you’ll be able to help your baby fall asleep quickly and easily.

Remember to always be patient and to seek help from your pediatrician if you have any concerns. Good sleeping!