How to Get a Colicky Baby to Sleep- Pregnancy & Parenting- ModernMom

Summary

This video offers tips for parents dealing with colicky babies, focusing on effective ways to help them fall asleep. The key suggestion is to recreate the comforting, womb-like environment by using motion, such as walking with the baby in a sling or gently bouncing them. Colicky babies often resist sleep, so tricking them into sleeping without a direct attempt can be beneficial. An upright sleeping position or tools like the Ambi Baby Motion Bed, which provides gentle bouncing through a spring system, can also improve a colicky baby’s sleep.

Takeaways

• 👶 Colicky babies often resist sleep, making it a challenge for parents at bedtime and naptime.
• 💤 Motion is the key to calming a colicky baby and helping them sleep, as it mimics the womb environment.
• 🧸 Walking with the baby in a baby sling or carrier, providing 3D motion, helps soothe colicky babies more than just rocking back and forth.
• 🎭 Parents should avoid acting like they are trying to put the baby to sleep, as this can make the baby more resistant.
• 🏞️ Walking around, both inside and outside, while carrying the baby can often result in the baby falling asleep without noticing.
• 🛏️ Many colicky babies prefer to sleep in an upright position, which can help them feel more comfortable.
• 🛌 Propping up the mattress or holding the baby in a slightly upright position can improve sleep quality for colicky babies.
• 🚫 It’s important for parents to avoid falling asleep in unsafe positions like on couches or recliners with the baby.
• 🛏️ The Ambi Baby Motion Bed is a helpful tool for colicky babies, as its gentle bouncing motion can soothe them back to sleep.
• 🌀 The Ambi Baby Motion Bed creates motion from the baby’s movements during the night, helping them self-soothe and sleep better.

Q & A

What are colicky babies often described as?

Colicky babies are often described as extra fussy and challenging, not just during the day but also at bedtime and nap time. They tend to fight sleep, sometimes for hours.

Why do colicky babies fight sleep?

Colicky babies fight sleep because they release all their energy and resist succumbing to their drowsiness, making it difficult for them to settle down.

What is the best method to help a colicky baby sleep?

The best method to help a colicky baby sleep is using motion, which recreates the womb environment they are used to. Walking around with the baby bundled up in a baby sling or carrier helps them feel secure and relaxed.

Why is motion effective for calming a colicky baby?

Motion is effective for calming a colicky baby because it mimics the experience they had in the womb, where they felt warmth, coziness, and constant movement. This familiarity helps soothe them.

What type of motion works best for a colicky baby?

3D motion, like walking around with a gentle bounce up and down and back and forth, works best for colicky babies. Simple rocking in a chair, which is one-directional, is often less effective.

What is a useful strategy to help a colicky baby fall asleep without a struggle?

A useful strategy is to not act like you're trying to put the baby to sleep. Instead, go about your day, carrying the baby in a sling or carrier, and let sleep 'sneak up' on the baby as they relax.

Why is a baby sling recommended for parents of colicky babies?

A baby sling is recommended because it helps recreate the womb-like environment by keeping the baby snuggled close, and it allows parents to move around while soothing the baby with motion.

Why do colicky babies often sleep better when slightly upright?

Colicky babies often sleep better when slightly upright because it helps with digestion and reduces discomfort from conditions like acid reflux, which can contribute to their fussiness.

What is a potential safety concern for parents holding a baby while sitting?

A safety concern is that parents should never fall asleep while sitting on a couch or recliner with their baby, as it poses a risk of the baby being in an unsafe position or environment.

What is the Ambi Baby Motion Bed, and how does it help colicky babies?

The Ambi Baby Motion Bed is a bassinet that hangs suspended from a spring. It creates a gentle bouncing motion when the baby moves, which helps soothe them back to sleep by mimicking the calming motion they enjoy.