HOW BABIES SLEEP- What the latest research & a sleep specialist have to say about healthy sleep
Parents often have questions about sleep. Sleep is a vital part of a baby’s growth and development. Sleep is when babies physically grow, consolidate memory and it provides a critical time for neurological development. All parents want their babies to sleep well, but it is a common area of concern and frustration. How your little one sleeps often impacts the entire family. The more you know about what is typical and how to maximize healthy sleep the happier and healthier you and your baby will be.
FIVE TIPS TO PREPAIR BABIES FOR SLEEP:
Play during the day! Active daytime stimulation makes for better sleep time
Develop a consistent simple bedtime routine, for example: bath, massage, book, bed
Avoid Screen Time…even second-hand screen time from parents on their phones while holding baby can impact sleep cycles
Try Infant Massage:Studies show babies who get a massage before bed get to sleep faster, sleep for longer stretches and wake less, which improves maternal sleep too
Make it darker & limit sound: dim lights, turn off TV, consider black-out blinds, try quiet soothing talk to baby and white noise to keep background sound consistent
THE FACTS ABOUT INFANT SLEEP:
1. INFANTS SLEEP 14-18 hours/day & wake windows are small to start:
First 2-3months: infants rarely sleep >4 hours at a time
3-6months: “sleep through the night” which really means at least 5-6 hr. stretches
Around 6 months sleep gets better as babies brains develop
Babies may nap every 2 hrs. but often start short (at 20-30 min bouts)
Sleep specialist AnnMarie at AM Smiles reminds parents: “In the early weeks, babies are often ready for sleep sooner than expected. Keeping wake windows short can help prevent overtiredness, which is a common reason newborns become fussy or have trouble settling
2. LIGHT SLEEP IS GOOD & SOME NIGHT WAKING IS NORMAL
Baby sleep cycles about every hour through light sleep, they have more REM sleep than adults
During REM sleep: babies have more blood flow in areas of the brain that control breathing & this is also likely when learning occurs and memory is stored
Although it can be tiring, night waking has survival benefits for infants
3. EVERY BABY HAS A DIFFERENT TEMPERAMENT
Temperament is more influential than parenting style on sleep
Sleep cannot be forced; some babies need more help to get to sleep
Some babies can be put down & others need to be soothed to sleep
4. BETTER TO BE PRO-ACTIVE THEN RE-ACTIVE:
Watch for common signs of being tired: eye rub, yawn, fussy, looking away, and back arching
Try to avoid getting overtired, babies who are too tired have trouble falling asleep
Try putting babies down before they are totally asleep
5. BABIES DO WELL WITH ROUTINES NOT TRAINERS:
Consistent nap/bed times & routines help babies get ready to sleep
How babies go to sleep is how they often expect to be put back to sleep
Try putting them down drowsy vs all the way asleep and gradually build self-soothing skills
Sleep specialist AnnMarie recommends building consistency and sleep-wake associations
WHAT ARE GOOD ROUTINES & SLEEP-WAKE ASSOCIATIONS?
Simple, consistent routines around both falling asleep and waking up.
Short, repeatable pre-sleep routine can help signal to your baby that sleep is coming.
Prepare baby for sleep & talk to them through what you’re doing. This helps them begin to understand that sleep is coming. For example, at bedtime: “Mommy is turning on the sound machine. It’s night-night time.”
At wake up: gently “undo” the sleep environment before you take them out of the crib. For example: “Good morning! Mommy is so happy to see you!”
6. DON’T STRESS THE BREAST
Most studies agree that breastfed infants wake up more often at night. Total sleep time and time spent awake during the night did not differ between breastfed and non-breastfed infants. With identical results in sleep variables among mothers and maternal sleep quality.
7. ADDRESS MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
High levels of maternal depression are related to higher maternal perception of infant sleep problems.
If you have depressive thoughts talk to someone and get help. Hormone fluctuations can trigger post-partum depression.
8. SAFE SLEEP IS IMPORTANT FOR SIDS PREVENTION
Keeping your baby safe includes utilizing back to sleep as well as other SIDS prevention strategies
AnnMarie says this about crib exposure: “If most sleep is currently happening with support, that’s okay. You can start building familiarity with the crib by aiming for just one nap per day in that space.
5 TIPS TO HELP BABY STAY ASLEEP:
1. Keep room temp at 70* (not too hot)
2. Play white noise during entire sleep window
3. Use 100% cotton sleepers
4.Try Cold Mist Humidifiers: in colder months help keep 50% humidity (just remember to use fresh water and keep the machine clean)
5. AnnMarie says this about day/night confusion: “If your baby seems more alert overnight, this is very normal in the beginning. Consistently exposing them to light and activity during the day, while keeping nights quiet and dim, will help their internal clock adjust over time.”
Sleep plays a key role in a baby’s growth and development, supporting physical growth, memory consolidation, and healthy brain development. Because infant sleep affects the whole family, it’s also a common source of worry. Understanding what’s normal and how to encourage healthy sleep can help both you and your baby rest better.
With Luck, Love & Light! XO Rachel
Special Thanks to AnnMarie of AM Smiles
REFERENCES:
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