Baby Sleep Patterns

by Anonymous

My 2 month old son won't settle to sleep without the sound of the hoover or hairdryer. Why is this and how can I stop this pattern?

Baby Help Line Response


Hi dear mom!

I can't help but smiling when I read your question. There is just no end to the weird things that small babies start "needing". I bet you'll find this quite a dear memory in a year or so. Write it up somewhere!

My guess is that your baby finds the sound of the hairdryer and hoover soothing. Maybe it resembles (in his mind) the sounds he heard while still in your stomach.

Babies are also routine-lovers, so if this sound makes him feel safe, he will want it every time he's about to go to sleep.

You can go two different routes to break this habit. Either just stop! It might be a few tough days when it is hard for him to settle. It will take during those days, but he is likely to learn quite fast. Stay close to him and make him understand that he is safe and loved anyway.

Another option, if you don't want to do it the hard way, take it slowly. Put the hoover in another room, so that he gradually learns to fall asleep without it. And turn it off just before he falls asleep.

Actually, with a bit of patience and persistence, it is my experience that you can change almost any of your baby's habits. Just try to understand their situation and change it gradually into what you prefer.

Good luck, and I'd love to hear how long it took to teach him a new habit!

/Paula

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