Like, “wearing down” that was discussed in the previous baby sleep tip, “swinging down” is another good strategy to help your baby sleep.

 

“Swinging down” is a proven method where you swing your baby in a wind-up or battery powered swing to get them to become sleepy or even fall asleep.  If you have a baby that will be soothed by swinging, the mechanical substitute of your own arms can be a welcome relief for you (and for your baby, who probably senses your tiredness and tension if you’re frustrated).  For some babies, it is simply too difficult to relax in the arms of a familiar caretaker like Mom or Dad because they associate this person with fun playtime, and not sleep.  If you have a baby like this, investing in a swing might be a true lifesaver.

 

However, because swings are not cheap, it is probably best to see if you can borrow one from a friend, or try one out without buying to see if your baby likes it before spending your money.  Some babies love swings, and will relax almost immediately in one - however, some babies hate being strapped into something so mechanical.  The only way to tell if your baby will be soothed by a swing, is to try it out.

 

So, just like “wearing down,” the practice of “swinging down” can be very useful to get your baby to sleep.

 

Andrew Dolbin-MacNab

Pediasleep LLC

 

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     About the Author:

 

Andrew Dolbin-MacNab is a father, sound-engineer, and the founding member of Pediasleep LLC, a leader in the production of white noise and other soothing sounds to aid the healthy sleep of infants, cosleepers, and parents. Having successfully survived his daughter's early sleep problems with the help of white noise, he is also an expert on infant sleep problems and their solutions. Pediasleep can be found online at http://www.Pediasleep.com.