It is hard to know how to get your baby to sleep at dusk sometimes; particularly, when you have done everything and then, he/she is still up at 2am wide awake. When you are running on empty you are not. Sleeping Baby is probably one of the most frequently occurring conflicts of the new parents, and its influence may impact such different factors as the energy level of yours, your mood, and even your confidence.
Fact is, infants do not come out of the womb with the understanding of how to sleep independently. It is what they are taught with your assistance- and yes, you can teach them to improve in sleeping without being driven crazy.
In this post, I will take you through practical yet proven methods on how to help your baby sleep better never mind their age or sleeping disposition. No matter your sleep tribulations be it short sleeps, excessive awakening overnight or refusing to go to bed, this post will provide some nuggets you should know.
1. Having Ages and Sleep – Knowing the needs of your baby
Each baby is unique, however, an understanding of typical sleep needs at age will assist you to understand what to expect.
| Age | Hours of sleep required/day (24 hrs) | Day sleeping | Natal sleeping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (03 months) | 14–17 hours | 4–5 short sleeps | 8–9 hours (uninterrupted) |
| 4–6 month olds | 14–15 hours | 3 naps | 10–11 hours |
| 6 up to 12 months | 13 up to 14 hours in a day | 2 naps | 11 up to 12 hours or more |
| 1½–2 years | 12–14 hours | 1–2 naps | 11–12 hours |
It is averages, your baby may require a little more or less. However, when your baby appears tired and grumpy most of the time then they are most likely not getting quality sleep.
2. Establish a routine bed time routine
Young children live on routines. A steady bedtime ritual sends the message to your baby brain, that it is time to relax.
Here is a soothing 20–30 minutes routine that you should attempt at nighttime:
- Bath (warm bath to make them relax)
- Rubbing with a baby lotion with ease
- Put pajamas and put on new diapers
- Make the lights dim to create the atmosphere
- Food (in case it is necessary)
- Rocking, singing or reading little book
- Determine sleeping state of baby Rico, down state drowsy but awake
It gets you into an established bedtime routine, even on days when you are tired or busy, this creates a sleep cue that seems second nature to the baby.
3. Be on the Lookout of Sleepy Cues (and prevent being overtired)
It is a matter of timely actions. Over tired babies find it even harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Indicate when your baby is ready to sleep by looking out; he is showing signs of being ready to sleep:
- Rubbing eyes
- Yawning
- Looking away
- Fussing
- Pulling ears
Place dow your baby immediately when you observe these signs. Too much time may turn against you – a tired infant is usually a fussy, jittery one.
4. Use a Wake Window that is Suitable For Age
A wake window is the duration your baby can comfortably continue to be awake without some sleeping time.
In short, here is a guide:
| Age | Wake window |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks and below | 45–60 minutes |
| 6 weeks –12 weeks | 60–90 minutes |
| 3–4 months | 75–120 Minutes |
| 5–6 months | 2–2.5 hours |
| 9 months | 2.5–3 hours |
| 10–12 months | 3–4 hours |
Attempt to provide nap time and bedtime time before your baby becomes very tired. Still, adjust according to the needs of your child.
5. Adjust the Appropriate Bedroom Atmosphere
Proper sleeping conditions can mean the world to the quality of sleep that your baby gets. This is what can assist you:
- Dark room: install black out curtains. The darkness initiates the sleeper hormone melatonin.
- White noise: Shuts off the sound around the house and makes babies sleep longer.
- Low temperature: The best temp in baby room is 68–72 F (20–22 C).
- Safe sleeping environment: Hard mattress having no toys, no pillows and no loose blanket. Never place baby to sleep on side or stomach.
Bonus tip: A sleep sack or a swaddle (in case they are age-appropriate) will help babies feel more secure.
6. Teaching Baby to go to Sleep on his or her Own
This is hard to do, but it is necessary.
When your baby is being held, rocked or feeds to sleep consistently, it may not be easy to advocate self-settling during night wakings.
Begin with the process of laying down your baby awake but drowsy. That will make them learn to associate going to sleep to being in a crib – not getting assistance.
This can be promoted using some more subtle means (such as the Pick Up/Put Down or Ferber technique). Use one way, which ever, with consistency.
7. Strategy in Feeding (At Night Most of All)
Babies will wake up a lot to feed and that is not abnormal in the early months. However, when your infant wakes up constantly due to habit between the age of 6 months and beyond, some changes can be made to salvage the situation:
- Make meals during daytime complete and regular (2.5–3 hours).
- Introduce some sort of sleeping stretch about 10 p.m. (usually called a dream feed)
- Don’t always feed to sleep attempt to separate the two in gradual stages
- Never make drastic changes night time feeding until your pediatrician checks in.
8. Remain Patient at the Time of Sleep Regressions
Indeed, sleep regression is not a myth. And yes brutal.
The typical ones occur in and around:
- 4 months (development of the brain)
- Crawling, separation anxiety: 8 months at minimum, to 10 months maximum of age onset.
- 12 months (ambulating)
- 1 and half years (language explosion)
- 2 years (independence)
What-to-do? Stay consistent. Never get out of control. Avoid creating new sleep crutch. These regressions usually last a week or less than that.
9. Do not compare Within your Baby Sleep to Other People
This forms your reminder that two babies do not sleep alike.
There are also those babies who sleep at 3 months. Others take 12 months to do so. It does not imply that you are doing some kind of bad. Keep up with the pace of your baby and aim to find small successes.
10. When You Need It Ask For Help
Sleep deprivation is not kidding. Whether you are tired, upset, or simply beaten, there is nothing wrong with asking people to be helped.
Whether that’s:
- Partner relief: A partner will relieve a night duty
- It is a family member giving you a break
- Conversing with your children doctor or sleep expert
You are not required to do it single-handedly.
Q and A regarding Baby Sleep
1. How soon is my baby going to sleep at night?
It varies but most babies begin to sleep longer between 4–6 months. When someone sleeps through the night they get 5–8 hours, not 12.
2. Is my baby crying it out alright?
It is a matter of choice. Other families adhere to sleep training procedures that encourage spells of crying such as the Ferber system. When applied regularly and cautiously, these methods may work. So remind yourself to first consult with your pediatrician.
3. Do I have to wake up my baby at night to feed?
During the first few weeks, yes, particularly when your baby has not gained back his or her birth weight or when the baby sleeps longer than 4 hours. Thereafter, follow the cues of your baby in regards to hunger.
4. Why can my baby sleep only 30 minutes?
Babies who are 6 months or younger have short naps. Once your baby is older and learns to self-soothe, naps tend to become longer. Attempt to modify wake windows and develop a soothing pre-nap routine.
5. What about my baby who does not sleep unless he or she is held?
Attempt to move slowly by placing them in a resting position asleep and awake. Be use of white noise as well as light pressure. It is also possible to practice crib naps during the day in order to be independent.
Final Thoughts
It is time-consuming, patient, and full of trial and error to help your baby sleep better. It may not be a significant one but even slight modification can bring great outcome after a period of time.
Also, bear in mind that your baby is not sleeping perfectly because you are a failure. You learn by yourself – and that is the best thing.
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