Benefits to Putting Your Baby to Bed Awake

When my daughter was a baby, all I can remember is being told to put her down drowsy but awake, which felt so confusing to me. As a first time mom I was like what the heck does that mean? The truth is one of the most impactful changes you can make to improve your baby’s sleep is putting them to bed awake. Like fully awake. While it might feel counterintuitive at first, this gentle approach helps your baby develop important self-soothing skills and leads to more restful nights for everyone.

The Benefits

1. Independent Sleep Skills: Babies who learn to fall asleep on their own are better able to settle themselves during nighttime wake-ups.

2. Consistency: Falling asleep in their crib helps your baby feel secure, reducing confusion when they wake between sleep cycles.

3. Confidence: Encouraging your baby to self-soothe builds their confidence—and yours too.

4. Healthy Sleep Associations: Minimizing reliance on rocking or feeding to sleep leads to more flexible and consistent sleep habits.

Tips for Success

• Establish a consistent 20-30 minute bedtime routine. My go to is bath, pyjamas, books/songs and into the crib!

• Watch for sleep cues and pay attention to awake times to put your baby down at the right time.

• Create the ideal sleep environment darkness, a comfortable temperature and white noise.

This process takes time, but with patience and consistency, your baby will develop lasting sleep skills. For tailored support, reach out—I’m here to help guide you to peaceful nights ahead!