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Baby not sleeping at night? Experts share 6 simple tricks like swaddling and shushing to help your infant sleep better

Baby not sleeping at night? Experts share 6 simple tricks like swaddling and shushing to help your infant sleep better

Prashnath S Urs / etimes.in / Mar 09, 2026, 00:26 IST

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Baby not sleeping at night? Experts share 6 simple tricks like swaddling and shushing to help your infant sleep better

Navigating the challenges of a baby's relentless wails can be overwhelming for new parents. However, there are effective womb-like calming methods that can bring serenity. Experts advise techniques such as swaddling snugly, creating soothing shushing sounds, gentle swinging motions, and allowing your baby to suck for comfort.

Raising a kid isn’t an easy job. Given the stress and pressure of today’s life, persistent crying of the babies can lead to more stressful situations in the family, including marital conflicts, depression, low self-esteem and obesity. A stressed mind can lead the new parents to make all sorts of rash decisions.Thus, it is extremely important to understand the needs of the baby. Have you spent many a night, awake, trying to get your baby to sleep, and failed? Fret not, here are some tips to help both you and your baby enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Everyday strategies that will transform your child's personality

A baby stays in the womb for almost nine months and is habitual of a crouched position and a warm, watery environment. Any change in the environment upsets the baby and ends up affecting its biological cycle. Normally, wet nappies, hunger or fever can cause the infants to sleep less. Yet, if all these causes are taken care of, and still the problem persists, there are some hacks that can help the baby sleep peacefully. What to do? One very useful fact to know is that babies slumber down better when they are provided an environment that resembles the one in the womb.

To create similar conditions, paediatricians suggest the ‘5-6’ approach: swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking, sleeping position, and to switch on the calming reflexes.

Swaddling: During pregnancy, the baby feels very caressed inside the womb. These soft caresses are called as swaddling. Caressing the baby softly and wrapping them tight helps them to believe they are back in their protected environment.
Sleeping position: Making the baby sleep on the back makes the baby feel like he/she is falling. But making the baby sleep with its stomach on its side cancels that feeling, and thus helps him/her sleep without any worry.
Shushing: The sound in the womb is louder than a vacuum cleaner. Either start a vacuum cleaner or shush as loudly as possible. Keep going with decreasing intensity. You can try switching on the hair drier also.
Swinging: This is an age-old method that never fails. When the babies are upset and are crying, they need a ‘back & forth’ movement to help them relax. This will calm them down and also make them drowsy.
Sucking: If the baby likes to put its finger in its mouth, don’t discourage him/her. More often than not, this particular action soothes the baby and gives him/her a very familiar feeling of being safe.
Calming reflexes: These are certain body movements that make the infant think that he/she is in the womb. Whenever your baby is feeling cranky, use these movements to help him/her relax.

If none of the above measures work, take your baby out for a drive in the car. Most fussy babies calm down when the car is in motion. An easy solution!Some precautions Don’t wrap the baby in loose blankets. Also, establish a daytime and nighttimes routine by keeping stimulating activities restricted to the day and sleepy and passive ones for the night. Introducing bedtime rituals like singing lullabies is also beneficial. Bathing the babies with warm water and feeding them till they are full also aids sleep.

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About the AuthorPrashnath S Urs

Dr. Prashanth S Urs is a highly experienced paediatrician based in Bangalore, Karnataka, with an impressive 25 years of dedicated service in the field of child healthcare. He holds notable qualifications including MBBS, DCH, and DNB in Paediatrics, complemented by a Fellowship in Advanced Neonatology, making him a trusted expert in his specialty. Dr. Urs is particularly focused on providing specialized care for newborns and children, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment during critical periods of their development. Being fluent in English, Hindi, and Kannada, Dr. Urs effectively communicates with a diverse patient base, ensuring that families feel at ease and well-informed. His compassionate approach to paediatric care not only addresses medical needs but also supports the emotional well-being of both children and their families. In his practice, Dr. Urs emphasizes preventive care and holistic health management, recognizing the long-term importance of early intervention and education in child health. He is committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in paediatrics and regularly engages in professional development. Patients and parents appreciate Dr. Urs for his thorough examinations and detailed explanations, making him a popular choice among families in Bangalore. His focus on nurturing relationships with his young patients while delivering comprehensive medical care sets him apart in the paediatric community.

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