Parents' sleepless nights
Parents' sleepless nights
The words "sleepless nights" and "parenthood" are closely related. Understand and accept one fact: parents of a newborn or even a one-year-old child occasionally do not get enough sleep. Some more often, some less, and some for years. If you belong to the latter category, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the "sleep tunnel," but there are effective ways to overcome the problem of sleepless nights.
Sleepless Nights and Parenthood
From specialized literature, you probably know that an "average" baby sleeps about sixteen and a half hours a day. This is an average that accounts for the least recorded duration of baby sleep (9 hours) and the most (21 hours). It’s important to understand that every baby is unique, so developing a regular sleep cycle requires time and patience. Don’t blame yourself if your baby doesn’t sleep through the night.
Overcoming Sleepless Nights
For many parents, sleepless nights are true torture. There are no specific methods that can quickly calm a baby and make them sleep through the night. No one knows your baby's needs better than you. This is your advantage – find the optimal soothing method for your child. Don’t be afraid to experiment and change the rules to solve the problem of sleepless nights. Here are some useful tips:
• Take Your Time: If you’re trying new calming strategies, don’t change them too quickly. Give each one a few days. This helps avoid confusion and allows you to determine whether what you’re doing is effective.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Accept any reasonable offers of support. Even asking someone to hold the baby while you shower or eat can significantly lighten your load.
• Meet Your Own Needs: Take a shower daily, change your clothes, eat your usual food, avoid excessive caffeine, and drink plenty of water – all these will help you feel better.
• Trust Your Instincts: If you think something is wrong with your baby, consult a doctor. In the early days after your baby is born, it’s crucial to get professional support and not be alone with the numerous problems that may arise.
• Get Out of the House: You may feel so tired that a walk is the last thing you want. But believe me, a change of scenery will do you good.
Signs Your Baby Needs to Sleep:
• Sad and unhappy look;
• Distant or staring gaze;
• Sudden tense movements of arms and legs;
• Clenching fists;
• Rubbing eyes and ears;
• Yawning;
• Crying, fussiness, restlessness – these are late signs.
What Does a Baby Need for Sleep?
Most newborns simply don’t know how to fall asleep on their own. They need to be taught. In the first months, you need to work on creating an individual sleep routine, which will later become a habit.
To develop a "sleep ritual," specialists recommend the following:
• During the Day: When the baby wakes up, feed them, then place them on a play mat. The duration of playtime before showing the first signs of tiredness depends on their age. It’s important to learn to recognize signs of tiredness in time and respond to them by introducing calming techniques.
• In the Evening: After feeding, replace playtime with a bath. A massage with baby lotion will help relax them. Avoid excessive activity before bedtime. Don’t think that keeping them awake longer will make them more tired and fall asleep faster. In fact, an overtired baby is always harder to calm down.
• Ensure Comfort: Make sure the baby is comfortably dressed for sleep. Check that the sheet is clean and choose a diaper you can trust. Most babies sleep better in the dark, in a well-ventilated room.
Sleep and Soothing Methods
• Swaddling: Many parents find swaddling very useful. Muslin or light cotton fabric is all a newborn needs. For older or more active children, a cotton blanket is better. In the heat, be sure to avoid overheating – dress them lightly for sleep.
• Soothing in Arms: Babies often fall asleep when they are fed or cuddled. Generally, parents don’t mind calming their baby this way. Babies need warmth and hugs, so in many cases, their cry indicates just that. It will take you several weeks to learn to recognize why your baby is crying: due to tiredness, hunger, or the desire to be soothed in your arms. Be observant!
• Calming Techniques: Gentle stroking, making a "shhh" sound, rocking the crib, music, or a lullaby can help calm the baby.
• Soothing with Hands: This is a good method for children who are used to falling asleep in arms, but parents want them to learn to do so in their crib. Place the baby in a clean, dry, comfortable crib and gently place your hands on them. Rocking, stroking, or simply holding your hands on the baby’s body can calm them.
• Comfortable Soothing: With an older child, try leaving the room before they fall asleep. Let them find a comfortable position in bed on their own. If the baby cries, go to them and calm them down. Try to understand the reasons for their crying. Remember: allowing a tired baby to fall asleep on their own is only reasonable if all their needs are met.
