Most parents can testify that newborns sleep all the time and often mix up night and day, sleeping all day and being awake much of the night. This is because setting the internal clock takes some time. There are several reasons why night sleeping is so important to a baby and encouraging this early is the best way to make it a pattern as the child grows.
Importance
The importance of sleep encompasses all aspects of healthy growth and development. Infants need adequate sleep so that their bodies grow and their brains function. Sleep is when the body restores itself to be ready for activity and learning when awake. Enough sleep means that a baby's mental function will be optimal and they will be healthy overall. In addition, learning to sleep at night is vital because consistency and routine makes children feel secure and it also improves the quality of their sleep.
Day
To ensure good sleep patterns at night, parents need to be mindful of how much and when their baby sleeps during the day. Naps that last too long or are too close to bedtime will disrupt a baby's internal clock and reduce the amount and quality of night time sleep. In addition, during the day children need to be engaged so they learn and develop. Being active ensures that an infant will be ready to sleep at night. Most infants need two naps a day, totaling around three hours, according to Kids Health. If a baby sleeps too much during the day they are missing out on a multitude of learning opportunities and will be restless and sleep poorly at night which will make it harder for them to learn and function the next day. It can also make them so tired that they sleep too much the next day, perpetuating a cycle that will need to be broken.
Night
Learning to sleep at night is essential because the body will restore itself while a baby is sleeping for long stretches, as well as setting the internal clock which cues the infant that it is time to sleep or wake up. Getting an infant on a regular night sleeping cycle will make it easier for them to nap for adequate times during the day and help them be rested and ready to learn and develop.
Amount
While the amount of sleep babies need vary greatly depending on the particular child, there are some guidelines to help parents assess whether they should change their child's sleep patterns. Generally, KidsHealth says that babies from birth to six months of age need about 16 to 20 hours of sleep a day. At this age, a routine should be started, but most infants at this age only wake up to eat. As children get closer to 6 months old it is important to get them on a sleep pattern that includes two naps equaling about three hours and sleeping at night for eleven hours. Child Care Aware reports that children will spend about 40 percent of their childhood sleeping. This will result in healthy growth and development.
Tips
Parents can encourage their babies to learn a night sleeping habit. Routines are important because children will know what to expect and will be more apt to go along with the fact that the time to sleep has come. As babies near 1 year of age they begin to fight going to sleep because they are so interested in the world around them. Establishing a bedtime and naptime routine can cue the infant to start winding down and preparing to fall asleep. This can include stories, warm baths, soothing music and backrubs. A sleep-inducing environment is also important. A quiet, dark and cool room is the best way to fall asleep and too much noise and light will hinder the process. Finally, putting a child to sleep awake and avoiding running into their room at any sound will teach a child to self-soothe, an important step in teaching them to fall asleep on their own. Sleeping at night is vital to a baby's health and starting a routine early will help them learn to stick to a good habit.
