Quality sleep is as crucial as proper nutrition. Babies grow and develop in their sleep and therefore a baby’s sleeping habits are a major concern for mothers around the world. While it is natural to be worried there are several ways to improve your child’s quality of sleep.
As your little human grows, their sleeping needs will change, and the hours of sleep required will gradually reduce. While newborns sleep through most of the day (14- 17 hours), they are light sleepers with their sleep divided into sleeps cycles of 4-5 hours till the age of 3 months. Babies between the ages of 3 to 6 months require 12-15 hours of sleep which spans 2-3 naps in the day and possibly a long stretch of sleep at night. From 6 months to a year, the baby’s sleeping patterns start coming closer to that of an adult. They will sleep through the night and require about 11-14 hours of sleep.
Here are 7 tips to help improve your baby’s quality of sleep:
- Monitor your child’s sleep rhythm
Although it can be difficult and erratic in the beginning as your child grows, they will start to present a more consistent sleep schedule.
- Respect your baby’s preferences
Adjusting to your baby’s sleep cycle might not always be ideal and can often be life-altering. But it is recommended that parents respect their baby’s sleep patterns. As your child grows older, you may gradually introduce a healthy sleep cycle.
- Giving the baby time to settle down
Babies might fuss or cry before finding a comfortable position and falling asleep. Be patient and monitor them. Check on your baby, offer comforting words, and leave the room. Your reassuring presence might be all that your baby needs to fall asleep.
- Soothe the baby
The baby needs to be calm to be able to fall asleep. As you acquaint yourself with your baby’s likes and dislikes, make sure to take note of the activities that your baby finds soothing to get them drowsy and ready for bed. You may start rocking the baby or sing lullabies to them.
- Introduce a bedtime routine
As your baby grows, it is a good idea to introduce them to a bedtime routine. It helps the baby develop habits that prepare them for quality sleep. A positive bedtime routine involves going through a few quiet yet enjoyable activities with your baby about 20 minutes before bedtime. This could include giving them a warm bath or reading to them.
- Feeding before bedtime
Make sure that you feed your baby in a dimly lit, calm environment between naps and before putting them to sleep at night. This will indicate to your baby that they have to prepare for sleep and not play.
- Keep distractions away
Babies are easily amused. It is a good idea to provide them with an environment that free from distractions to improve their quality of sleep. Avoid using mobiles or TVs especially, one hour before bedtime.
As your newborn grows, their ability to sleep soundly will improve. Good quality sleep plays a key role in your child’s physical and mental development. If you notice that your child is sleeping too little or too much, it is recommended, that you consult a paediatrician as sleeping issues could indicate underlying medical issues.
To book an appointment with our expert Paediatricians, call: 1800 419 1397