Establishing solid sleep patterns with infants can be one of the most challenging stages parents go through with their children. Just as each child is unique, so are the sleeping and waking habits of every baby. There are some general guidelines, however, that parents can follow in order to promote healthy sleeping patterns that will benefit all members of the family.
Infants, especially newborns, need to nurse or have a bottle even during the middle of the night. This means that sleeping for long periods of time (more than 4 to 6 hours), generally will not allow for this necessary nourishment. Breastfed babies sometimes need to eat more often. Parents should discuss all nutritional needs and guidelines with their pediatricians to determine what is appropriate for their babies.
Babies have similar levels of sleep as children and adults, but just experience them in different ways. There are various patterns of drowsiness, deep sleep, and light sleep, and in babies these tend to come in shorter periods of time than in older children and adults.
A baby who is sleeping well for a 4 to 6 hour stretch of time is probably experiencing a phase of deep sleep. Natural needs for nourishment and comfort tend to wake babies from this state. It may be difficult for a baby to return to deep sleep, even after those needs are met, just as with adults once a full night of sleep or a long nap has been taken it is not easy to return to that deep sleep state quickly.
Parents might find that a baby who falls asleep and appears to sleep deeply from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. is restless for several hours after waking. It can be difficult to understand that even though for parents it is a time of exhaustion, for the infant it is a natural sleep pattern. Parents can encourage consistent sleep patterns that will hopefully eventually turn into longer periods of deep sleep by following several guidelines.
When a baby wakes at night to eat, parents should diaper, feed, and burp the baby, with as little noise and light as possible. This will help cue the baby that this is not play time. Even if baby appears tired or falls asleep while eating, parents need to burp baby. This will help prevent the baby from being awakened later by an upset stomach.
Sometimes a baby will continues to behave restlessly after eating, diaper changing, and burping. That baby has other needs that need to be addressed by Mom or Dad. There are bottles specifically designed to create less air flow and reduce the chances of gas build up in babies stomachs. There are also products, such as Mylicon, that are used in the bottle by some parents to help reduce gas. It is important to check with the baby's pediatrician before using any additive products, as not all babies can tolerate them. Breastfeeding moms should pay close attention to their own food consumption to see if certain foods or beverages seem related to their baby's digestion and restlessness.
The sleeping habits of babies will change and vary as they grow through various stages of development. Establishing consistent sleep patterns will help eventually provide longer periods of deep sleep for babies. Even though parents may feel an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, it is important to remain patient and calm. Babies will eventually find a pattern that gives them their needed rest and allows parent the same. Sometimes parents might need to nap with babies during the day if possible, or share night time routines between parents, in order to have enough energy to positively influence the sleeping habits of their babies.
Infants, especially newborns, need to nurse or have a bottle even during the middle of the night. This means that sleeping for long periods of time (more than 4 to 6 hours), generally will not allow for this necessary nourishment. Breastfed babies sometimes need to eat more often. Parents should discuss all nutritional needs and guidelines with their pediatricians to determine what is appropriate for their babies.
Babies have similar levels of sleep as children and adults, but just experience them in different ways. There are various patterns of drowsiness, deep sleep, and light sleep, and in babies these tend to come in shorter periods of time than in older children and adults.
A baby who is sleeping well for a 4 to 6 hour stretch of time is probably experiencing a phase of deep sleep. Natural needs for nourishment and comfort tend to wake babies from this state. It may be difficult for a baby to return to deep sleep, even after those needs are met, just as with adults once a full night of sleep or a long nap has been taken it is not easy to return to that deep sleep state quickly.
Parents might find that a baby who falls asleep and appears to sleep deeply from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. is restless for several hours after waking. It can be difficult to understand that even though for parents it is a time of exhaustion, for the infant it is a natural sleep pattern. Parents can encourage consistent sleep patterns that will hopefully eventually turn into longer periods of deep sleep by following several guidelines.
When a baby wakes at night to eat, parents should diaper, feed, and burp the baby, with as little noise and light as possible. This will help cue the baby that this is not play time. Even if baby appears tired or falls asleep while eating, parents need to burp baby. This will help prevent the baby from being awakened later by an upset stomach.
Sometimes a baby will continues to behave restlessly after eating, diaper changing, and burping. That baby has other needs that need to be addressed by Mom or Dad. There are bottles specifically designed to create less air flow and reduce the chances of gas build up in babies stomachs. There are also products, such as Mylicon, that are used in the bottle by some parents to help reduce gas. It is important to check with the baby's pediatrician before using any additive products, as not all babies can tolerate them. Breastfeeding moms should pay close attention to their own food consumption to see if certain foods or beverages seem related to their baby's digestion and restlessness.
The sleeping habits of babies will change and vary as they grow through various stages of development. Establishing consistent sleep patterns will help eventually provide longer periods of deep sleep for babies. Even though parents may feel an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, it is important to remain patient and calm. Babies will eventually find a pattern that gives them their needed rest and allows parent the same. Sometimes parents might need to nap with babies during the day if possible, or share night time routines between parents, in order to have enough energy to positively influence the sleeping habits of their babies.
About the Author:
Sleep Problems Child Aiming to learn how to get your baby to sleep through the night? Then take a look at www.BabySleepAtNight.com for more information and download lots of FREE parenting resources. Sleep Problems Child
No comments:
Post a Comment