Good sleep is vital to your baby’s everyday life. Healthy sleeping habits not only help parents get that much-needed break, but also support a baby’s rapid mental and physical development.
But what if your baby doesn’t sleep regularly or soundly at night? It’s important to remember that this is completely normal. In fact, a transient sleep regression (a change in sleep pattern) can be caused by a developmental leap, e.g. B. by learning to crawl or walk.
So how can you get your family’s sleep schedule back on track? In celebration of National Baby Sleep Day, Rhonda Patt, MD, Medical Director of Atrium Health Levine Children’s Charlotte Pediatrics, shares recommendations and best practices for families when it comes to sleep training and sleep safety.
How to promote healthy sleep hygiene
The best way for parents to help a baby develop a good circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle) is to encourage more alertness during the day and keep lights and stimulation low overnight. When a baby is 3-4 months old, parents should develop a bedtime routine that is the same every night and may include lullabies and rocking. At this age, parents are encouraged to put their baby to bed when they are sleepy but not fully asleep.
“Many parents don’t realize that sleep is developmental and that infant sleep development follows a predictable pattern,” explained Dr. stalemate “If you know what to look for and make adjustments accordingly, babies often develop healthy sleep patterns on their own.”
Some babies never have to “cry it out” or end up sleeping on the floor next to the crib with tired parents. “However, most parents will encounter an obstacle with sleep in the first year, so understanding some practical sleep training strategies can be beneficial,” said Dr. stalemate
Napping is also developmental. In the first months of life, babies take a nap around the clock after short periods of awakening. By 4 months of age, most babies get a predictable first morning nap. Between 6 and 9 months, babies generally take 2-3 predictable naps a day.
When to start sleep training
Sleep training and promoting healthy sleep hygiene can begin immediately. In the first 2 months of life, babies need 16-18 hours of sleep a day. However, many babies sleep better during the day than at night.
Methods of sleep training
Sleep training refers to ways parents can encourage healthy sleep habits for their infants. The approach to sleep training varies depending on the age of the child. Consider the following sleep training methods:
- shout it out This method involves putting a baby to bed and allowing him to cry himself to sleep without parental intervention. For many reasons, this would be a last resort when all else has failed and the risks of lack of sound sleep for the baby outweigh the stress of hearing your baby cry.
- No tears. This training method is the opposite of shouting. With the “no tears” method, babies are cared for quickly and comforted by their parents.
- Fading. This method is a compromise between the “no tears” and “scream it out” strategies. With the fading method, parents gradually decrease stimulation and support until the baby learns to fall asleep on their own and the parents can leave the room while the baby is still awake – without tears. If the baby is crying, the parents can return to the room after a few minutes to offer comfort, but then exit while the baby is still awake.
“It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training,” noted Dr. stalemate “Every child is born with their own temperament and innate sleep skills.”
Some babies fall asleep easily without the need for rocking or rocking and sleep longer. Other babies can fight sleep and wake up completely at the end of each sleep cycle. Because of this, what works for one baby can backfire on another. After exploring these options, it’s best to tailor your baby’s sleep strategy to the needs of your family as a whole.
concerns of sleep training
“Some families may think that sleep training allows a baby to cry at night, but it’s better to think of sleep training as a process that begins in the neonatal period by creating a healthy, nourishing sleep environment,” explained Dr. stalemate
Of course, parents may be concerned about increased stress levels for both mother and child when babies cry during sleep training. The good news for parents is that a 2018 article was published by Canadian family doctor reported that sleep training has been shown to improve infants’ sleep problems “with no reported side effects at 5 years.” In addition, maternal mood scales also showed significant improvement.
How to prevent SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, often unexplained, death of a newborn. Since SIDS usually occurs when babies are sleeping, it can cause parents to worry about the safety of their children’s sleeping habits.
To prevent SIDS, Dr. Take the following precautions:
- sleeping position. Make sure your baby sleeps on their back.
- crib accessories. Do not place blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the crib as these items can increase a newborn’s risk of SIDS.
- Bed sharing vs. room sharing. Bed sharing (when parents and their children sleep in the same bed) can also lead to SIDS. Sharing a room can be a safe alternative to sharing a bed. “The latest recommendation is to have your baby in your room for at least 6 months and even up to a full year,” she said. “Room sharing has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, perhaps because the parents are present and more aware of the baby’s sleeping habits.”
In addition to avoiding SIDS, be aware of other potential safety hazards for sleeping infants. For example, pacifier clips can be used when the baby is awake. But when the baby falls asleep, a pacifier clip with a long tether (more than 7 inches long) can go around the baby’s neck and cause strangulation.
If you’re struggling with your child’s sleeping habits, you’re not alone. Sleep regressions are completely normal and can be managed with sleep training strategies. If you follow our tips for healthy and safe sleep, your baby will sleep longer at night and you will feel rested in the morning.
Learn more
If your baby is having trouble sleeping, make an appointment with their pediatrician. Contact the sleep specialist at Levine Children’s to discuss more serious conditions.
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