Sleep--both
your baby's and your own--is
likely one of your major concerns
as a new parent. Sleep
disturbances, particularly
nighttime awakenings, can strain
and exhaust parents.
Your
newborn may sleep up to 16 hours a
day, broken up into short periods.
However, soon she'll start to
sleep for fewer, shorter periods.
And in the early weeks, discomfort
from colic, acid reflux, or other
conditions may cause trouble
sleeping (talk to your doctor if
you have concerns about these
medical conditions). Illness,
unnecessary feedings, and anxiety
can also disrupt sleep.
In your
baby's early months, sleep tends
to be lighter and more broken than
later on, and your baby may have
difficulty sustaining sleep. But
don't fret--eventually you'll find
techniques that help, such as
rocking or nursing baby, or giving
her a pacifier.
Setting
the Stage
The ideal
sleeping environment for an infant
is one that's relatively dark,
quiet, and comfortably cool.
Relaxed, unrushed bedtime routines
are helpful. Note, though, that
for an infant on a somewhat
predictable schedule, these
routines should be relatively
brief (5 to 10 minutes).
A final
feeding, quiet play, singing, and
cuddling are all reasonable
bedtime activities. As your child
gets older, telling stories
becomes useful. Try security
objects, such as a blanket or
stuffed animal, but don't use
these before the child is 1 year
old because they can cause
suffocation.
Many
physicians feel that baby should
be put to bed awake and allowed to
fall asleep in the same crib or
bed she'll remain in for the rest
of the night. Others are
proponents of rocking or holding
baby until she falls asleep in the
comfort of her parent's arms,
cosleeping, or the "family
bed." Whichever choice your
family makes, bedtime should be a
warm and comforting end to the
day.
Keep
in Mind . . .
- Infants
and toddlers require a certain
amount of sleep. Once they get
it, they usually can't sleep
more.
- Babies
are often geared to sleep only
at certain times of the day
and night.
- Putting
your baby to bed when he's not
really sleepy will probably
lead to periods of
wakefulness.
- Letting
baby stay in bed longer than
he needs to will make him
restless.
- Too
much daytime napping may lead
to nighttime restlessness.
By 3
months of age, your baby's sleep
periods should already occur on a
somewhat regular pattern. Over
time, become aware of your child's
personal sleep needs, and he'll
help you determine how best to
assist him in getting the rest he
needs.
Despite
what you may have heard, not all
babies sleep through the night by
the time they're 6 months old, so
don't worry if your baby is still
waking up long past the age that
you expected. Eventually he'll
develop a sleep pattern that works
for him--and for you!
This article
is copyrighted, and used
with permission of American
Baby. All information
on Slumber Sounds is for
educational purposes only, and
is not medical or
healthcare advice, nor a
substitute for medical and
professional services from a
qualified healthcare provider
familiar with your personal
situation. For medical advice,
including diagnosis and
treatment, consult your
physician or other healthcare
provider regarding any condition
and before starting any
treatment. We supply this
information with the
understanding that Slumber
Sounds is not engaged in
rendering medical services or
other professional services or
advice.
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