It’s always a pleasure for a mother to see her baby sleeping peacefully. Sleep is very essential for a baby’s well-being. When a baby feeds well and sleeps for long hours, they tend to put on weight. This post covers how long a baby should sleep, how to show them the difference between day and night, where the baby should be sleeping, what is safe sleeping position, safe bedding, SIDS and above all how to make a baby sleep.
Signs that show when the baby is sleepy
1) The baby rubs her ears and nose.
2) The baby yawns.
3) The baby is not playing and looks away from people.
4) The baby might be irritated and starts crying.
How long should a baby sleep?
Upto six months a baby usually sleeps from 16-20 hrs. I am lucky as my baby sleeps for good number of hours. And the most thankful thing is that she sleeps thoroughly at night. The best thing one can do about a baby’s sleep is to maintain a regular schedule. Sleeping habits can be cultivated to babies as early as the baby is 6 weeks old.
How to show them the difference between day and night?
Every night one should follow the same routine. Some may prefer to give them bath. Dim the lights. Make them wear a night suit. Always make them sleep in the same room. These all should make them understand that it is time to go to bed.
Where should a baby sleep?
It is actually the choice of parents. In western countries babies are made to sleep in cribs whereas as in India parents make them sleep in their bed. But, always let the baby sleep in your room.
How to make the baby sleep?
There are many ways to make a baby sleep. This is again the preference of parents. If you want your baby to sleep independently, move her to a sleeping place when they are feeling sleepy, but not asleep. Dim the lights and come out of the room. If you hear the baby crying, let it do so for a few minutes. The baby might sleep. If it continues to fuss, go back and pat. Do not pick up the baby. Soothe the baby, say that you are there for her and again leave the room. This should make the baby sleep on her own.
Another way is to lay down with the baby. Act as if you are sleeping by closing your eyes. The baby will also try to sleep. Just pat her, but do not pick her. The baby might look here and there, but finally sleep.
The above methods are a bit strict methods to make the baby sleep. But, they are good to make babies sleep when you are not present or when they wake up suddenly at night.
Other methods to put them to bed are:
1) Rocking
2) Baby walking
3) Singing lullabies
These methods of course demand your presence.
When the baby is ill, always be in their presence if not they might lose confidence in you and feel lonely.
What is the right position?
Babies should always be made to sleep on their back. Good sleeping position reduces the risk of SIDS.
What is SIDS?
SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This is the major cause of death of many infants from 1 month to one year old. Unfortunately, despite much research, the reason for SIDS is still unknown. It is more common in male babies and occurs usually in winter. However the risk of SIDS can be reduced by avoiding sleeping on stomach and improper sleepwear which causes overheating. Never lay the baby on pillow and always keep the stuffed toys away. Follow this link to know about safe sleeping http://www.sidsandkids.org/cot.htm.
I hope this information was useful. Cultivating good sleeping habits always serves well in a long run.
Signs that show when the baby is sleepy
1) The baby rubs her ears and nose.
2) The baby yawns.
3) The baby is not playing and looks away from people.
4) The baby might be irritated and starts crying.
How long should a baby sleep?
Upto six months a baby usually sleeps from 16-20 hrs. I am lucky as my baby sleeps for good number of hours. And the most thankful thing is that she sleeps thoroughly at night. The best thing one can do about a baby’s sleep is to maintain a regular schedule. Sleeping habits can be cultivated to babies as early as the baby is 6 weeks old.
How to show them the difference between day and night?
Every night one should follow the same routine. Some may prefer to give them bath. Dim the lights. Make them wear a night suit. Always make them sleep in the same room. These all should make them understand that it is time to go to bed.
Where should a baby sleep?
It is actually the choice of parents. In western countries babies are made to sleep in cribs whereas as in India parents make them sleep in their bed. But, always let the baby sleep in your room.
How to make the baby sleep?
There are many ways to make a baby sleep. This is again the preference of parents. If you want your baby to sleep independently, move her to a sleeping place when they are feeling sleepy, but not asleep. Dim the lights and come out of the room. If you hear the baby crying, let it do so for a few minutes. The baby might sleep. If it continues to fuss, go back and pat. Do not pick up the baby. Soothe the baby, say that you are there for her and again leave the room. This should make the baby sleep on her own.
Another way is to lay down with the baby. Act as if you are sleeping by closing your eyes. The baby will also try to sleep. Just pat her, but do not pick her. The baby might look here and there, but finally sleep.
The above methods are a bit strict methods to make the baby sleep. But, they are good to make babies sleep when you are not present or when they wake up suddenly at night.
Other methods to put them to bed are:
1) Rocking
2) Baby walking
3) Singing lullabies
These methods of course demand your presence.
When the baby is ill, always be in their presence if not they might lose confidence in you and feel lonely.
What is the right position?
Babies should always be made to sleep on their back. Good sleeping position reduces the risk of SIDS.
What is SIDS?
SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This is the major cause of death of many infants from 1 month to one year old. Unfortunately, despite much research, the reason for SIDS is still unknown. It is more common in male babies and occurs usually in winter. However the risk of SIDS can be reduced by avoiding sleeping on stomach and improper sleepwear which causes overheating. Never lay the baby on pillow and always keep the stuffed toys away. Follow this link to know about safe sleeping http://www.sidsandkids.org/cot.htm.
I hope this information was useful. Cultivating good sleeping habits always serves well in a long run.
1 comment:
Any kind of modern baby monitor will helps in keeping the baby safe. The ones with video will allow you to do household chores while keeping an eye on your baby.
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