Tired of not having a goodnight’s sleep?  Don’t despair!

Your sleepless nights coupled with unstable hormones might seem never-ending, but know that these are common troubles that so many parents have faced before and all new parents continue to face.

So don’t worry, you’ve got this!

While there are no guarantees, we’ve rounded up a few expert-approved, tried-and-true tricks that can help everyone catch a little more shut-eye.

Here are the top 5 things you should try:

1. Figuring out your baby’s sleep needs

During the first two months, your baby’s eating schedule will be erratic and will most likely eat into your sleeping time.

At 3 to 4 months, you’ll notice that your baby’s sleeping patterns are easy to identify. At some point during a baby’s first year — every baby is different — he or she will start sleeping for about 10 hours each night. This is when you can start properly planning your and your baby’s sleeping schedule.

2. Developing a bedtime routine

Making sure your baby sleeps properly means more than just rocking them gently and putting them in the cradle – they need a proper bedtime routine.

Four months and onwards, babies can benefit from a morning and an evening ritual. You can try various combinations of bedtime activities. Consider these:

• Active games during the day, calmer ones during the night
• A bath before bedtime is a good way to relax your baby
• Soft music and dim lighting seem to have a calming effect
• Maintain the exact same night time conditions each and every night

3. Identifying possible triggers for sleep trouble

Apart from the most obvious triggers for your baby’s sleep trouble, like diaper rash or a stuffy nose or hunger, these are some other possible triggers:

• Food allergies
• Reflux
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Dust, animal hair, or smoke

If eliminating them doesn’t help, discuss possible medical causes with his/her doctor.

4. Provide a safe sleeping environment

Avoid putting your baby to sleep on surfaces they can sink into, such as:

• Beanbags
• Soft bedding
• Couches

If you decide to have your baby sleep next to you on your bed, instead of the crib, then make sure that:

• The bed is firm and fluffy (It is recommended to sleep on a king-size bed if possible)
• Don’t use heavy blankets or sheets. Use a cozy muslin blanket instead
• Don’t place your baby on a pillow or an adult sized blanket. Dress them lightly and try swaddling them.

5. Lulling your baby to sleep

There are a few good tips to follow when it comes to putting your baby to sleep comfortably. Here are some:

• Breastfeed or bottle feed the baby until he/she drifts off
• Place the baby’s head in the crook of their neck, under the chin and gently sway
• Try a pacifier to settle down your baby
• Once your child is sleeping, gently lay him/her in bed

Another effective way to lull your baby to sleep is to have him/her sleep in your room

You can move your newborn’s crib next to your bed. The idea is to comfort your baby before you and he/she is fully awake.

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list on the subject, but these tips will surely help with getting back into a more comfortable sleep routine, not just for your baby, but for mommy and daddy as well.