Dealing With Baby Sleep Problems
All babies change their sleep patterns. Just when you think you have it sorted and you’ve all had a good night’s sleep, the next night you might be up every 2 hours.
Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. And remember, growth spurts, teething and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.
If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need more advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor.
How To Fix Your Newborns Day And Night Confusion In 3 Nights Or Less
Advent is here! Turn your attention to the only permanent thing in the world today
Does your newborn have days and nights mixed up? Heres how to fix day night confusion in only a few days. You and your baby will thank us!
Ive had 5 babies and to some extent, they all had day night confusion.
With all 5, within 5 nights postpartum we had it all sorted out.
Days and nights in order.
Sleeping through nightly feeds and not waking.
Allowing me to have restorative though broken sleep.
You can do it. Its not rocket science and its very simple.
Be encouraged your days of Vampire Hours are nearly over!
How Do Sleep Regressions Coincide With Changes To Napping/sleeping
Some sleep regressions occur around the same time as nap transitions, which usually happen around 6-8 months and 12-15 months. During this time, you may find that your baby is clingier in the day and harder to settle at bedtime.
- The 3-2 nap transition happens around 6-8 months old
- The 2-1 nap transition happens around 12-15 months old
You May Like: How To Help My Newborn Relieve Gas
Safe Sleeping Where Should Your Baby Sleep
It’s up to you where your baby sleeps, but it is recommended that babies sleep in a cot in the same room as an adult for the first 6 to 12 months, since this has been shown to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome .
Always place a baby to sleep on their back with the head and face uncovered every time they sleep, night or day. Keep the room smoke-free.
Abcs Of A One Nap Schedule: B Is For Be Flexible
You will want to have a casual approach to the daily schedule, using your Little Ones cues and signals to help you. Try to move bedtime up earlier while youre making this transition to one nap, to prevent making him overtired.
You also should be open to having an occasional two-nap day. If its clear that hes not going to make it until 12:30 one day, go ahead and put him down for a Quiet Time or nap at around 11. Just limit any morning nap to 45 minutes, max.
Also Check: What Is A Heart Murmur In A Newborn
Let A Friend Or Family Member Watch Your Baby While You Take A Nap Even If This Means Your Breastfed Baby Will Take Some Meals From A Bottle
Lactation experts often discourage breastfeeding mothers from bottle feeding babies for the first 3-4 weeks. The worry is that supplemental feeds will lead to a decreased milk supply and endanger successful breastfeeding in the long-term.
But you need to balance this against the negative effects of severe sleep restriction. Lack of sleep puts parents at increased risk of illness and opens in a new windowpostpartum depression, which is bad for parents and babies. If you are at the end of your rope, get help.
What Happens To Sleep Cycles Around The Four
- Day time cycles change – This is where babies begin to wake fully between each 45 minute sleep cycle in the day.
- Night time sleep cycles shorten to be 2 hours long and babies stop drifting from one cycle to another so easily.
Since your little ones sleep cycles have changed, this will usually mean that they start catnapping more and being very overtired come bedtime in the evening, because catnaps are the least restorative type of nap for a baby. This change also marks the point in which learning to self-settle can really benefit your babys napping and night-time sleep. You can learn more about self-settling here.
You May Like: How To Get My Newborns Ssn
Set A Bedtime Routine
A study of 405 mothers — with infants between 7 months and 36 months old — showed that babies who followed a nightly bedtime routine went to sleep easier, slept better, and cried out in the middle of the night less often.
Some parents start their baby’s bedtime routine as early as 6 to 8 weeks old. Your baby’s routine can be any combination of regular bedtime activities. The keys to success:
- Play active games during the day and quiet games in the evening. This keeps your baby from getting too excited right before bedtime but gets them tired from the day’s activities.
- Keep activities the same and in the same order, night after night.
- Make every activity calm and peaceful, especially toward the end of the routine.
- Many babies enjoy bathing right before bedtime, which calms them down.
- Save your baby’s favorite activity for last, and do it in their bedroom. This will help them look forward to bedtime and associate their sleep space with things they like to do.
- Make nighttime conditions in your baby’s bedroom consistent. If they wake up in the middle of the night, the sounds and lights in the room should be the same as when they fell asleep. If you need to feed or change your baby during the night, keep the lights low and the talking to a minimum. Too much stimulation can make it hard for them to settle again.
Continued
Swaddling Benefits: Mom Hack
‘Baby D has gone from sleeping 2-3 hours at a time to 4 hours. With this blanket, it’s also easier for him to soothe himself back to sleep when he wakes up before he is ready due to sudden noise or movement. In a house full of two older sisters and three dogs, this is much appreciated.
In essence, this Zen Swaddle can be a lifesaver for sleep-deprived parents because let’s face it, the value of even one or two more hours of sleep during these early months is monumental.’
Recommended Reading: What Can I Use On Newborn Dry Skin
Pause Movement As Baby Drifts Off To Sleep
Once youve broken the link between feeding and sleep, its time to stop all movements that your little one could associate with sleep. This includes rocking, walking, and similar comforting techniques.
Your childs new bedtime routine should include a variety of activities that your baby will soon associate with sleep. Start with a warm bath, put on PJs or comfy clothes, and dim the lights. For daytime naps, use shades or blackout curtains to keep the room dark.
If the same thing happens every night, your baby will start to understand that sleep is soon to come, says Dr. Mindell.
When Do I Know The Time Is Right
One of the trickiest parts of transitioning your child to a toddler bed is timing it well. There isnt a correct age for all kids. Many toddlers make the switch between 1 ½ to 3 ½ years old, but that isnt a set rule. If your toddler is comfortable in their crib, its perfectly fine to let them continue sleeping there past 2 years old, as long as its safe. If your baby seems to be getting too tall for their crib and theyre trying to climb out often, they may be ready for a toddler bed.
Before you make the switch, consider other milestones in your childs life. Are they potty training or weaning? Are they starting preschool? Is the family moving or expecting a new baby? Its best to avoid overwhelming your toddler with too many changes at once. If theres a lot going on, wait until things have settled to move your toddler to a new bed.
If your toddler seems mature enough to move and asks for a new bed, she may be ready. Trust your judgment.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My Newborn Constipated
Conditioning Your Newborn To Fall Asleep
In the womb your baby felt safe, snug, and secure. Out in the big, big world, a newborns sense of safety comes from his caregivers. However, this doesnt mean you need to always hold your newborn as he sleeps.
Most babies just want to feel a loved ones touch. Lie next to him if hes in your bed or sit alongside the crib with your hand gently on his chest. Speak softly and soothingly to settle him into sleep.
Once your baby transitions past the newborn stage and wake cycles become longer, it will become easier to maintain a regular schedule that promotes healthy sleep habits.
Newborns love being held as much as we love holding them. However, its in the best interest of both baby and you to create a healthy sleep routine that involves putting your newborn down to sleep.
How Is A Sleep Regression Different To A Phase
Sleep regressions are commonly passed off as a phase when in fact, theyre a normal part and, in some cases, a permanent part of your little ones development that cant be avoided.
A phase suggests something that will pass on its own, which is true for most regressions except for the famous four-month sleep regression. This regression is certainly not a phase as it is a permanent change in your little ones sleep – keep reading to find out more.
Many things can cause your wee one to go through a phase, such as daylight saving causing early morning wakes, learning new skills such as rolling or crawling, or being unwell. In some cases, the changes to your babys settling or sleep may simply be due to their naps needing a bit of tweaking. For example, if something is disturbing their sleep environment like sunlight, your baby may go through a bad sleeping phase due to this, or if your little one is unwell, that can temporarily disrupt their sleeping pattern.
So, before you assume your baby is going through a regression and try to ride it out, its worth sussing out whether their sleep difficulties are actually due to an easy-to-fix reason like their naps or sleep environment needing a bit of tweaking. Our Sleep and Nutrition Program can help with this!
Recommended Reading: How To Help Newborn Sleep Longer At Night
Set Up A Proper Sleeping Environment
The proper sleep environment will matter more and more as baby gets past the 6-week mark. Set up a room for your baby to sleep for naps and bedtime. The sooner your baby starts to associate darkness and loud white noise with sleep, the easier his or her life will be.
People always worry their baby will become addicted to or dependent on darkness and white noise, and then wont be able to sleep without it. Newsflash: adults have sleep preferences too! I dont like to sleep on planes, trains, or automobiles. I prefer sleeping in my bed, with my pillow, etc. Many adults swear they sleep just fine through any errant noise, but studies show that constant pink noise helps the brain go into more stable levels of sleep. You can also just not use white noise or darkness, and then see how that goes.
Most babies sleep better with loud white noise, and as-dark-as-possible darkness. This is a post about how to get your kiddo to sleep better, after all
Brace Yourself And Be Strong
Get ready for the initial whimper when you drop your baby to sleep alone in the crib. The transition process can be difficult even when necessary. The baby might take a little while to get familiar with the new sleeping environment. Observe objectively and try not to go into the room everytime you hear the baby make a sound. You can always check on the baby with the baby monitor to be sure everything is okay and the baby is just fussy.
The goal is to get your baby to learn to fall asleep alone without any help. Babies can only fuss for so long except there is a medical reason.
Read Also: Are Newborns Tested For Hiv
How Long Does Sleep Training Take
The amount of time it takes to successfully sleep train your baby will depend on what method you choose. But generally speaking, it should take about three to four nights. Some methods may take longer than others, but Dr. Schwartz says most of it comes down to parents having a plan and being consistent with their chosen sleep training method.
If youve been attempting to sleep train your baby for two weeks with no luck, its a good idea to check in with your pediatrician.
Break The Link Between Feeding And Sleep
Whether you breastfeed or bottle feed, the closeness that occurs when feeding your newborn can induce sleep. Feed your baby when he first wakes up from sleep, and again later on if hes awake and still hungry.
Try and avoid feedings when your newborn is sleepy to break the association between feeding and sleep.
Make the transition gradual by walking or rocking your newborn when its time for sleep. While this means you still have to hold your newborn, it prevents an abrupt change that could make it more difficult for your newborn to convert from your arms to the crib.
If your newborn is falling asleep early while nursing, it may be a sign of a shallow latch. A shallow, or poor, latch occurs when the baby does not have an adequate amount of breast in the mouth and the nipple does not get to the back of the babys palate. The baby then loses interest due to a slow milk flow.
To remedy this issue, latch deeper and keep your newborn awake by tickling his feet or stroking his legs.
You May Like: How Long Does A Baby Stay In Newborn Diapers
Safety First: Lower Sids Risk
Every time you put your baby down to sleep, whether it’s at night or for a nap during the day, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you do the following to lower the chances of SIDS :
- Always put your baby down to sleep on their back.
- Always use a firm sleep surface. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.
- If you baby falls asleep in a stroller car seat or swing, try to remove them and lay them down on a flat surface.
- Your baby should sleep in the same room as you, but not in the same bed as you.
- Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and bumper pads.
- Dont rely on devices which claim to prevent SIDS.
- Do not use wedges and positioners.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Avoid covering your baby’s head or overheating.
- Do not use home monitors or commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Make sure your baby gets all recommended vaccinations.
- Get some skin-to-skin contact time with them.
- Give your baby supervised, awake tummy time every day.
- Don’t smoke.
- Breastfeedyour baby.
- If you are tired, dont breastfeed while in a chair or on a couch in case you fall asleep.
- If you’re pregnant, get regular prenatal care.
Continued