Parents of new babies are often astonished at the way babies sleep, since their sleeping patterns are so different from those of adults. Babies are so delicate and weak that parents sometimes worry if their baby is sleeping enough, too much or in the right position. While every baby sleeps a little differently, there are some tips that parents can use to help their babies sleep better.
Expect Nightwaking
One of the most important things for parents of babies to recognize is that babies wake up often during the night. Pediatrician and Professor at University of California, Irvine, Dr. Bill Sears explains that when babies wake up at night, it is because they are sleeping lightly, which is not only normal, but beneficial. Light sleep is when the most brain activity occurs. Therefore, nightwaking increases brain development in young babies. Babies tend to wake up every three to four hours in the first three months of life and every four to five hours as they get older.
Best Sleep Position
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development states that the safest sleeping position for a baby is on her back. The Institute states that putting a baby to sleep on her stomach can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. You should also avoid putting toys or loose bedding in the crib with the baby, as these could increase the baby's risk of suffocation.
Create a Routine
If a baby has trouble sleeping during the night, creating a daytime and nighttime routine may help. The Mayo Clinic states that when parents encourage activity like singing and playing in the daytime, babies tend to sleep better during the night. At night, you can try making a bedtime routine of reading a story to your baby or giving him a bath. Over time, he will associate these specific activities with bedtime, so it will be easier for him to fall asleep at night.
Use a Pacifier
Giving a baby a pacifier before bedtime may help to protect her while she sleeps. According to the Mayo Clinic, pacifiers help babies to settle down and sleep easier in the evening. They may also help protect babies from SIDS, states the Mayo Clinic. It is not recommended for breastfeeding women to introduce a pacifier until the baby is at least 1 month old, however. This gives the baby time to learn how to latch on to the breast and breastfeed successfully.
