Drowsy But Awake: What it Means and How to Do It

Putting your baby down drowsy but awake promotes self-soothing skills, establishes healthy sleep habits, improves sleep quality for everyone, and strengthens sleep associations.

Babies who learn to fall asleep independently develop self-soothing skills that help them resettle themselves during the night, leading to less night waking and crying. More sleep for everyone!

Consistent bedtime routines and self-soothing skills create a foundation for healthy sleep patterns that benefit babies well into childhood and beyond. When babies sleep better, parents sleep better. A positive sleep association with their own sleep space makes it easier for babies to fall back asleep if they wake during the night. A baby will always seek the same conditions of which they first fell asleep under whenever they wake during sleep cycles.

Putting your baby down drowsy but awake can sometimes feel like a delicate balancing act, especially if your baby is used to being held, fed, or rocked to sleep.

Let's take a look at the steps you can take to help navigate the process:

Recognise Sleep Cues:

The first step is to be on the lookout for the telltale signs of drowsiness in your baby. Look out for yawning, drooping eyelids, rubbing eyes, or becoming still. For newborns, drowsiness might show within 45 minutes of being awake, while older babies can display these cues after an hour or more of wakefulness.

Establish a Consistent Wind Down Routine:

Create a calming wind down routine that signals to your baby it's time to wind down for sleep. Aim for at least a 15-minute winddown routine ahead of naps and around 30 minutes ahead of bedtime.

This routine could include activities like a warm bath, a lullaby, a gentle massage, or a bedtime story. Keep the routine consistent and calming, as predictability helps babies prepare for sleep.

It doesn't matter what your own wind down routine looks like, as long as you both enjoy it, it fills both your love cups, provides an opportunity for connection and you do the same sequence of steps each time.

Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment:

Ensure the room where your baby sleeps is set up to promote sleep. We need to set the scene for sleep. Make it dark enough so that you can't read a book, consider using blackout curtains if necessary. Even a sheet hung up can help to block out any sneaky light.

Play white noise continuously as loud as a running shower, as it can mask disruptive sounds and create a sense of calm. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, between 18-22 degrees Celsius (64-72 degrees Fahrenheit).

Put Your Baby Down Drowsy:

Once you notice your baby showing signs of drowsiness, such as those mentioned earlier, it's time to put them down in their cot or bassinet while they are still awake. This step is crucial for helping them learn to fall asleep independently.

Use your proximity, voice, and touch to reassure your little one and help them remain calm. If your baby is old enough to be standing, sit on a cushion by the cot to encourage your little one to lower themselves and lay down to get closer to where you are.

Give Your Baby a Chance to Self-Soothe:

If your baby fusses or displays signs of protest when you put them down, it's natural to feel the urge to immediately pick them up. However, instead of giving in to that instinct, try using your voice and touch through the crib rails to offer comfort and reassurance.

Allow your baby a few minutes to settle themselves and find their way to sleep. While this step may be challenging, it's a crucial part of teaching them to self-soothe and develop independence in falling asleep.

If you need to pick your baby up, hold them until they are calm before gently returning them to their sleep space. Reassure them with your presence, soothing voice, and comforting touch as you guide them back to their cot.

Remember, this process may take time, but with patience and consistency, your baby will learn to settle themselves and drift off to sleep peacefully.

Hold Space for Emotions:

Transitioning to falling asleep independently is a big step for your baby, and it's completely natural for them to feel uncertain or upset during this adjustment period. Tears can be a common part of this process as your little one learns a new way of settling to sleep.

As a parent, it can be heart-wrenching to see your baby cry, but please know that you're not alone in this experience. It's okay to feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to help your baby through this transition. Remember that you are there, present and offering your baby reassurance and comfort.

Be present with them, soothing them with your voice and touch. Let them know that you're there for them every step of the way. While you can't prevent your baby from expressing their feelings through tears, you can provide a safe and loving environment for them to work through these emotions.

Remember, your presence and support make all the difference as your baby learns to navigate this new sleep routine.

Be Consistent:

Consistency is key when it comes to helping your baby learn to fall asleep drowsy but awake. Stick to your established bedtime routine and approach, even if it takes some time for your baby to adjust. Changing it up will onlly confuse your little one.

Remember that every baby is unique, so what works for one might not work for another. Stay patient and persistent, and you'll likely see improvements in your baby's sleep habits over time.

Let's Face It: Drowsy But Awake Can Feel Daunting

Let's face it, the idea of putting your baby down drowsy but awake can be a little daunting, especially if you've become accustomed to the comfort and familiarity of contact naps, rocking, or feeding to sleep. I completely understand! It's a shift from what feels safe and secure for both you and your little one.

Here's the Thing: It's About Long-Term Benefits

While those methods work wonders in the moment, they can create a strong dependence that might lead to frequent night wakings and short sleep stretches for everyone down the line.

Putting your baby down drowsy but awake can be an absolute game-changer for their sleep habits. It may take time and patience, but the payoff of a good night's sleep for both you and your baby is well worth it.

But Here's the Good News: You Do You!

Now, here's the good news: if your current sleep routine works like a charm, and both you and your baby are well-rested, there's absolutely no pressure to change a thing! This approach might be perfect for your family, and that's fantastic!

Think of drowsy but awake as a positive change you can make for your baby's future sleep health, but only when the timing feels right for you. Maybe your baby's sleep needs are changing, or perhaps you're feeling burnt out from constant rocking or feeding to sleep. That's when drowsy but awake can become a valuable tool.

My course can help you with this, for you to reclaim all the time you spend settling and for your baby to get more restorative sleep.