New parents expect the 2 a.m. feeding when they bring their newborns home from the hospital, but some older babies and toddlers become accustomed to a sleeping routine that is totally out of sync with their parents' schedules. While many sleeping problems are temporary, some sleeping solutions could help your little one adapt to a schedule that suits both of you.
Sleep Needs
Understanding your child’s sleep needs allows you to develop a routine that ensures he gets a sufficient amount of sleep for his age. A newborn will sleep about 16 total hours every day, evenly split between night and day.
By the time an infant is 3 months old, he may sleep about 15 hours a day but his night sleeping lengthens to about eight or nine hours, while he might sleep only four or five hours during the day. However, he may still awaken frequently at night.
Infants
An infant doesn’t understand the importance of his parent’s sleep schedule, and he will sleep, wake and eat as each urge arises. In addition, a baby needs frequent feedings to supplement his rapid physical and mental development, so parents should expect to spend the first few months of their baby’s life, waking up during the night.
Establish a routine to encourage your infant to sleep by reducing stimulating activity before bedtime. By the time a baby is a few months old, she can begin to understand that night is for sleeping, provided a relaxing routine--including things such as a warm bath, soothing music and dimmed lights--occurs within an hour of bedtime. Rocking or reading to your infant at this time can further encourage relaxation.
Babies who go to bed hungry rarely sleep long before they reawaken. Schedule a feeding for small babies before bedtime, and make sure newborns have burped to avoid a tummy ache that could awaken them. In addition, a clean diaper and soft pajamas will let your baby know it’s bedtime.
Place the baby in his crib while he is still awake but on the verge of falling asleep. This allows the infant to relax and fall asleep while he is already in his crib. Babies who are always placed in their cribs after they are asleep may find it difficult to fall asleep on their own.
Respond to a baby’s nighttime cries promptly and attend to her immediate needs, such as feeding, burping and a diaper change. But do not stimulate the baby with play, bright lights or talking.
Toddlers
Older children will also benefit from a pre-bedtime routine. Occasionally, even a child who previously slept through the night will begin waking up or resist going to bed.
Remain calm when your toddler defies her bedtime but establish an “open door and closed door” policy, which teaches your toddler that her bedroom door can remain open as long as she remains in her bed. If she gets out of bed, explain that her door must be closed for a couple of minutes. After the time passes, open the door again. Extend the time the door is closed by a couple of minutes the next time. Praise her when you open the door to check and she is in her bed.
