Your child’s needs may vary from eight to 14 hours, and they will also need naps during the day. But the best way to manage your newborn’s sleep patterns is to avoid making a big deal out of each little murmur. If your baby is awake at night, you must resist the urge to rush in to comfort them.
First, it is important to understand the circadian rhythm of your newborn. Their body’s internal 24-hour clock is governed by their waking and sleeping patterns. It can take weeks for them to synchronize with the light-dark cycle of their environment. Even after leaving the newborn stage, many infants still have difficulty recognizing when it is time to sleep or wake. Hence, you must be prepared to face a grumpy, overtired newborn.
Read More: Tips For Putting Newborns to Sleep
Another important thing to do is to avoid using electronic devices before bed. Using electronic devices before bed is harmful to your child’s sleep because the light can interfere with your sleep. So, you should always turn off all electronics at least thirty to sixty minutes before bedtime. By doing this, you can get more rest during the night. If you do not sleep well, it is better to take care of yourself to take care of your child.
Though many parents will attribute this to teething or another developmental milestone, sleep is never permanent and will fluctuate as they grow older. The 90-minute alertness rhythm will undergo many changes when your baby gets to toddlerhood. However, if your baby can self-soothe, they will quickly adapt to these changes and eventually generalize the ability to sleep to the middle of the night.
Another way to get more rest when getting up is by putting your baby to bed as soon as they are ready. The drowsiness and sleepiness of putting your baby to bed will eventually become self-soothing. Getting a nap is not impossible; it just means you must be consistent and take care of yourself.
Keep your newborn on a firm mattress in a crib to avoid the risk of SIDS. Ideally, the slats should be about two and a third inches apart. Avoid placing your baby in a car seat or on the sofa. You can also use a swing to put your baby to sleep. Ensure the crib is firm and comfortable and that you don’t put soft objects or bedding on it. Your baby’s sleep environment should be safe and comfortable, so keep the bedding clean and free of loose pieces of fabric.
If you are single, consider asking a friend or partner to help. Having someone trade-off between feedings at night is a great way to rest. It’s also nice to have someone to swap off the responsibility of getting up with the baby. But remember that sleep is more important than the amount of sleep. So, accept their help and split the duties if your partner is your partner. You can also ask for babysitters if you don’t have time to be up with the baby every hour of the night.
A third of all parents experience frequent waking ups. Many babies wake between four and six times during the night. This happens because they’re awake during REM sleep, a light, active stage of sleep. If this is the case, try supplementing your baby with fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain development.
Besides allowing your newborn to cry, try to make the sleeping environment as quiet as possible. This will help soothe your baby and reduce any noise they may be hearing. It’s also helpful to use blackout shades or a white noise machine to help your baby sleep. You may also want to use a baby monitor to monitor how much your child needs and to provide a consistent time for nap time. It’s worth it in the long run.
