by Sleep Habits For Healthy Babies Mom Needs To Know
Sleep is important for anyone, but even more so for babies. Having a good night’s sleep helps children develop comprehensively physically and mentally. To build a sleep schedule for the baby is very difficult work that few fathers do. Here we will guide you on how to put your newborn to a good night’s sleep.
Best Practices for Best Baby Sleep Patterns
To help your child get the most restful sleep, it is vital to foster a good sleep environment and help your child develop good sleep hygiene.
Feed Your Baby Before Bed: Ensure your baby is well fed before putting them to bed. A full-tummy can make a baby feel relaxed and drowsy.
Try Infant Massage: A gentle massage as part of your nighttime routine creates a sense of relaxation and offers several health benefits. Infant massage helps promote bonding, cardiovascular health and enhances sleep.
Make Sure the Baby is Sleepy: Your baby should be drowsy, but not asleep before placing them in the crib. Finding that sweet spot helps the child learn how to fall asleep on their own.
Avoid Screens: Screens can be a great way to relax toddlers and preschoolers after a long day, but too much screen exposure before bed can prevent restful sleep. The blue light from the screen inhibits melatonin production, keeping your child alert.
Avoid the Bedtime Bottle: Many new parents find that letting the baby fall asleep with a bottle is easy and efficient. Drinking too much before bed may mean more frequent wet diapers during the night and lead to pain.ful diaper rash.
Create a Safe, Cosy Sleep Environment: Dim the lights in the house and in the baby’s room about half an hour before bed, and control the temperature of your home; the ideal sleeping temperature is between 60-67°F. Ensure your baby’s bed has a tight-fitting sheet, one blanket, and no extra pillows, bumpers, or stuffed toys.
Sleep Needs By Age:
Newborns (birth to 4 months): Your newborn needs a lot of sleep. Healthcare professionals recommend at least 16-20 sleep per day with waking times of 1-2 hours between sleep periods.
Infants (4-12 months): By 4 months, your newborn should be sleeping between 12-14 hours per day with a sleep/wake cycle that includes at least 6 hours of sleep during the night. You should also have a consistent baby nap and sleep schedule, aiming for 3 naps–morning, afternoon, and early evening.
Toddlers (1-2 years): By the time you get to the first year, your toddler should be sleeping approximately 11-14 hours per day. A toddler needs a full night of sleep, plus a morning and afternoon nap.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Children from 3 years old to elementary school-age need at least 10 hours of sleep per day. A preschooler may only need one nap, usually in the afternoon. You should also avoid naps longer than 3 hours.
