It's hard to know when a baby will sleep through the night. Every baby is different, and although frustrating for parents babies are not built to sleep all night through in the early months.
Some babies don't sleep through the night until past one year. There are some basic tips to help parents teach babies to sleep, but no one trick works for every baby.
For newborns, it shouldn't be expected that they will sleep through the night. Newborns need to wake often to feed and be changed. Practicing quiet and using dim lights at night will help newborns fall back to sleep easily when waking during the night.
Knowing the Difference Between Day and Night
Helping a baby understand the difference between day and night can play a big part in babies sleeping through the night. Newborns have no knowledge of when day or night is, so setting a good routine from birth can help parents to avoid problems later on.
From an early age parents should practice playing with babies during the day, and having the lights dim and being quiet during the night. Setting up a good bedtime routine really helps to teach babies that night time means it's time to sleep.
This can involve giving the baby a soothing bath, and following with an infant massage. Parents can then read to their baby in a dimly lit room. Mothers can nurse or formula feed the baby to cause drowsiness, and then rock the baby to sleep. Singing or white noise can help soothe babies to sleep.
Encourage Self-Soothing in Older Babies
Teaching babies to self-soothe can be very beneficial as they grow older. There are many different methods to help babies self soothe. Some parents give the baby a pacifier to help them fall asleep on their own. Many parents will rock an older baby until drowsy and then lay the baby down to fall asleep.
While this works for some babies, it doesn't work for others. Parents should always respond quickly to a baby's cry at night and be patient in teaching self-soothing. There is no instant solution, and sleep habits are built over each person's life time.
Is the Cry it Out Method Helpful?
Some parents grow frustrated and are advised to let their baby cry it out. More and more research is showing that this method does more harm than good to baby's developing brains.
According to a University of Pittsburgh study by Dr. Michael DeBellis and colleagues which was published in the Biological Psychiatry in 2004, children who experience early trauma develop smaller brains. This includes the trauma of not being responded to by parents when a baby cries.
Unanswered crying in infants causes increased blood pressure, prevents blood from draining from the brain, and decreases oxygenation to the brain. Cry it out can also lead to a fear of being alone, separation anxiety, anxiety attacks and addictions. Most doctors nowadays recommend that parents respond quickly to their baby's cries.
Some Mothers turn to Bed Sharing for More Sleep
Many mothers practice bed sharing to get more sleep at night. This practice, when done safely, can be beneficial. It is especially helpful to breastfeeding mothers. Many mothers who share their bed with their babies find that they are able to sleep all night while still responding if the baby cries or grows hungry.
It is always important to follow the safe bed sharing guidelines for the baby's safety. Most parents move the mattress to the floor to avoid the baby falling. Mothers and fathers should always make sure the bed is right against the wall so that the baby can't get stuck.
Parents should not use any heavy blankets or any pillows on the bed with a young infant. Parents should never go to sleep with an infant while intoxicated or on drugs. Long hair should always be tied up.
It is recommended that only mothers sleep beside the baby. This can be done by having the baby beside the wall and the mother in the middle, with the father on the outside of the bed beside the mother.
Parents should make sure that sheets can not come loose during the night and that there is no space where the baby could get stuck. Pets should never be allowed to sleep in the same bed as a baby. Parents should never leave a baby alone in an adult bed.
Moms and dads should always make sure that the room is safe for the baby. It is not recommended that overweight parents co-sleep with their babies. Mothers should not wear any strings, jewelry or lace to bed. These items cause strangulation risks.
Healthy Sleep Habits are Built Through Life
Parents can get frustrated when a baby doesn't sleep through the night. This ability only comes with age in children. Parents can encourage better sleep through teaching the baby day and night, practicing good bed time routines and encouraging self soothing skills. Babies should not be left to cry it out. Co-sleeping is helpful for some mothers.
Moms and dads should remember that newborns need to wake up frequently, but with age babies learn to sleep through the night. Parents should be patient and eventually the baby will sleep soundly at night.
Sources:
Baby Center, How can I get my baby to sleep through the night? (accessed June 14, 2010).
Jayde M. Nichols - Jayde Nichols had a love of writing for many years before beginning to write articles online in 2010. Nichols writes articles for a number ...
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