Sleep behaviors are among the most common concerns that parents of young children bring to their physicians. Problems may include waking up during the night, not wanting to go to sleep, bedwetting, etc.
Sleep is important for the body to grow, develop, and restore itself. While newborns sleep about 16 to 17 hours per day, they may only sleep 1 or 2 hours at a time. As babies get older, they need less sleep.
Parents can help their children develop good sleep habits, even at an early age. Babies do not have regular sleep cycles until about 6 months of age.
To make the most of nap time, it’s important to establish a schedule and stick to it says Dr. Krishan Chugh, Director, and HOD, General Paediatrics, Pediatric Critical Care. Follow these expert-approved tips that may help your baby (and you) sleep better at night-
- Keep your baby calm and quiet when you feed or change her during the light. Try not to stimulate or wake her too much. Keep the room cool; make sure that they’re fed and freshly diapered, and always place your baby in a safe sleeping space.
- Maintain a routine– By maintaining a standard time, you’ll help naturally adjust your baby’s internal clock to that schedule as they get older. Think about your baby’s day, and try to time their naps logically.
- Make daytime playtime– Talking and playing with your baby during the day will help lengthen their awake times. This will help her sleep for longer periods during the night.
- Put your baby to bed when drowsy but still awake– This will help your baby learn to fall asleep on her own in her own bed. Holding or rocking the baby until he/she is completely asleep may make it hard for her to go back to sleep if the baby wakes up during the night.
- Wait a few minutes before responding to your child’s fussing– See if the baby can fall back to sleep on her own. If the baby continues to cry check on her, but don’t turn on the light, play with her, or pick her up. If the baby gets frantic or is unable to settle herself, consider what else might be bothering her.
- Feeding schedule– Baby’s feeding schedules can also impact their sleeping habits. Newborns don’t have a sense of day and night and they sleep around the clock, they wake often to eat — no matter what time of day or night it is. So, with time try to schedule the baby’s feeding time.
Ask Your Pediatrician About Any Problems