Help! My Baby Won’t Sleep In Our New House

One of the biggest fears as a new parent is disrupting a baby’s sleep schedule. As a parent, you know how precious baby sleep is for everyone in the family. When the baby doesn’t sleep, no one does.

As you prepare to move to a new home, you may want to think of ways to make the process smooth and drama-free for your little one. If you or your partner has expressed concern along the lines of, “What are we going to do if the baby won’t sleep in our new house?” Take a deep breath!

We’ve got a few seasoned parents who have made cross-country moves with babies and they’re eager to share what worked for them, what they’d recommend making any move, whether across the country or down the street, low-stress for everyone involved.

How to help a baby sleep in a new house

Let’s get right to it — this is probably the most significant cause of anxiety when moving with a baby in tow. Mainly, if the baby is sensitive or slow to adapt when their routine changes, it’s stressful to imagine uprooting them and watching them regress.

Here are some tried and true tips that will help ease your baby back into long stretches of peaceful sleep in their new home.

Pack a box with items you need for bedtime

Pack a separate box and put it in your car to drive separately to the new house. When you get there, set up the nursery first. Get the crib or bassinet built and plug in the sound machine and any nightlights if you use them. If you can get the blackout curtains installed before the first nap, you’re a superhero!

Creating the same sleep environment will make the transition to a new room significantly easier for a baby because they won’t notice too many differences in where they are. The room may smell different, and they may hear new noises, but otherwise, it will feel familiar.

Enlist the help of older siblings

If you have a baby and older children in the home, it can be challenging to balance the emotional needs of all your children during a move. One thing that can help both children is involving the older sibling(s) in the pre-bedtime routine.

Have the siblings participate in bathtime, whether they splash in the tub together or help you from the side. Reading books or singing songs together may help your baby feel safe and calm, knowing their family is nearby in an unfamiliar place.

If they are struggling with the move, helping with the baby can reassure older siblings that nothing is changing within their home besides the address.

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Involve your baby in the unpacking

Moving can be stressful for adults, but your baby may be more entertained by the commotion and unpacking than you think!

While you unpack the kitchen or any room, set up the Pack n Play or a portable playpen and fill it with a few toys, your baby can watch as you unpack household items, observe the room they’re in, and slowly start to get familiar with the new space.

Stay calm

Although they are little and don’t seem to notice much, babies can pick up on stress and anxiety more than parents realize. Your body language, voice, and tone change when you’re stressed, and your child will pick up on that.

When you’re feeling anxious about the move and everything you have to take care of, take a minute and step outside or into another room to calm your nerves.

Communicate with your partner and family how you are feeling and what you are stressed about so they can be mindful of those emotions during the move and the days following.

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How long does it take for baby to adjust to a new home?

As with most changes in a baby’s life, these things can be very situational and depend on your baby’s temperament. Is he generally fussy throughout the day or pretty laid back? Does he protest falling asleep alone? Does he struggle to adapt to changes in routine?

You know your baby best. If you think he may struggle to adjust, try to be patient with him. A change in routine is a pivotal time in a baby’s life, and they are just trying to figure it out. Give your entire family at least a week to settle in, adjust to new routines and schedules, and then you’ll be able to find your footing.

Does moving houses affect baby sleep?

The short answer — yes, it can certainly affect the sleeping habits and patterns you’ve worked hard to establish for your baby. But don’t panic! Your hard work isn’t erased just because of a move; there are steps you can take to ensure your child will fall back into his regular sleep schedule.

The best way to do this is to follow his routine from your current house to the T. Even on your moving day, keep their nap time around the same time, with the same books, songs, and routine — down to the order of the diaper change, and then lights out.

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How long does it take for a baby to get used to a new sleep environment?

Depending on your baby’s temperament, it may take a few days up to a few weeks for him to fully adjust to a new sleep environment. Keep his routine as normal as possible (no trips or vacations, no visitors coming to stay) while he adjusts.

Give him extra cuddles and playtime, so he feels safe and secure.

How do I comfort my baby in a new place?

Extra snuggles, dance parties, books, lullabies, and treats (if they are eating solids) are great ways to comfort your baby in a new home.

Give them a “tour” of the new home, taking them to each room and explaining what it is. If you have them unpacked, show them pictures, toys, games, siblings’ rooms, and the backyard. The sooner your baby feels familiar with the environment, the quicker they will adjust.

Spending time together as a family will reassure your baby that the house may be unfamiliar and different, but he knows his family is here and he is safe.

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Wrap Up- My baby won’t sleep in a new house

Moving isn’t for the faint at heart and is even more complicated when babies are involved. As you embark on your next adventure as a family, focus on what you can control instead of what you can’t. If your baby struggles along the way, remember you are where they seek comfort; this too shall pass.

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