Baby And Sleep Basics

Babies require a lot more sleep than adults when they are very young. Eat and sleep are main activities of infants necessary for their healthy growth. However, babies do not sleep in one long stretch. They need to wake up for feeds since their tiny stomachs can’t hold enough milk or food to keep them satisfied for very long.

Baby sleeps an average of 14-18 hours a day during the first week and 12-16 hours daily on their first month. But most babies don’t stay asleep for more than two to four hours during the first few weeks of life. Not only do babies spend more time sleeping than adults, they also have different sleep patterns. Knowledge of how babies sleep helps with understanding why they need to sleep as much as they do.

Parents have difficulty establishing enough sleep for their babies. They have many questions when it comes to sleep and their baby. The usual question is on the number of sleep hours the baby must have. Here are some helpful guidelines:

The amount of sleep hours needed differs individually with the baby and with the age and conditions. Some have more regular sleeps while others have very difficult and irregular sleeping hours. Having appropriate sleep hours for baby is way important to parents.

The quality and quantity of an infant’s sleep affects the well-being of baby. Inadequate sleep in childhood can have long-lasting health effects. There are enormous reasons why your baby won’t go to sleep. It could be sickness, boredom, pain irritation, wet or soiled diaper, hunger, thirst and some other causes.

To help your baby have a normal sleep pattern and sleep hours, parents must help their baby have a good sleeping habit. Below are some tips for parents or caregivers:

Consider a sleeping routine and be consistent. Start trying to follow a bedtime routine. Try to put your baby to sleep at set times during the day. Newborn babies usually sleep after a feed so it is best to set his sleep after feeding hours. As long as you’re consistent in your approach, your baby will soon find sleeping better.

Learn and watch the signs your baby is tired or wants to get asleep. Observe your baby and when he looks tired and starts rubbing his eyes, or pulling at his ears, looks irritable, then it’s time to put him down to sleep. You’ll soon be an expert about your baby’s daily rhythms and patterns, and you’ll know instinctively when he’s ready for a nap or sleep.

Keep the baby’s room calm and quiet and avoid distractions. Your baby can have longer and straight sleep if no stimulation is around the baby’s room. Ways to add comfort to your baby before bed is by rocking him, playing soft music, or giving the baby a massage or a relaxing bath.

If your baby continues to cry and find it difficult to sleep especially at night, seeking medical advice from a pediatrician or health center is important. The significance of adequate sleep is important not only to babies but for the whole family.