While parenthood is burdened with all kinds of worries, sleep is one issue that many parents have a problem with.
There are reasons why your child may not be sleeping through the night, and in this article, we’ll be outlining a few of them.
Sleep forms a fundamental role in both adults and children’s emotional and physical well-being.
Our brains cannot function adequately with a lack of sleep.
Sleep is also essential for children since the growth hormone promotes tissue and muscle development is predominantly released while they are sleeping.
Just like babies are learning to walk, they also need to develop healthy sleeping patterns.
5 Reasons That Can Contribute To Your Baby Not Sleeping Through At Night
5 Issues That Can Be The Cause Of Sleepless Nights In Babies:
Undervaluing the importance of establishing good sleeping routines during the first few months of a baby’s life.
Failing to create an environment that is conducive for sleeping.
Trying too hard to get a baby to sleep instead of allowing him to fall asleep independently.
Focusing too much on feeding, thinking that a baby is hungry automatically feeds him the moment he awakes.
Remember, sleeping is affected by the brain and not the stomach.
Not viewing sleep as a discipline and permitting the child to set the trend.
How Much Sleep Must A Baby Get?
Every child is different, but they must generally sleep for about eight to ten hours from three to six months old and ten to twelve hours from six months to one year old.
Newborns generally sleep about 16 hours a day, waking up frequently for daily and night feedings.
A 1-month-old should get about 14 to 18 hours of sleep a day. Break it down to eight to nine hours sleep at night and another seven to nine hours throughout several naps during the day.
A 2-month-old should get a total of 12 to 16 hours of sleep each day (eight to 10 at night and four to eight over a few naps).
A 3-month-old should get about nine to 10 hours of sleep at night and a few naps a day of one-and-a-half to two hours each.
By four months, your baby should be sleeping about 15 hours a day, broken up into two or three daytime naps totaling three to four hours, and then another 10 to 11 hours at night.
By six months old, she should be sleeping nine to 11 hours at night with two long naps during the day, usually one in the morning and one afternoon.
Why Isn’t A Baby Sleeping Through The Night?
Some babies can self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves from a very young age, while others have issues self-soothe and need guidance.
Issues arise when a baby or toddler wakes up three to five times during the night.
This signifies that they are not connecting their sleep cycles, not self-soothe, and, therefore, not putting themselves back to sleep.
Maybe your baby has Days and Nights mixed up.
If your baby sleeps all day and then wants to stay up all night, try to shorten daytime naps.
Allow your baby those three-hour naps, but begin holding her upright, unswaddling, and changing the diaper after three hours to help wake him.
Naps are important; however, reducing the long naps can help you extend her time sleeping at night.
Late Night Feedings: By two or three months, your child should have reduced to one or two middle-of-the-night feedings.
If you’re still doing four to five feedings at night, gradually reduce the number by increasing the size of bedtime feedings.
Ensure your baby is getting enough to eat throughout the day and slowly stretch out the night feedings.
Teething signs such as drooling, feeding fussiness, irritability, and even biting may be signs of pain and can keep a baby up at night.
Offer your baby a teething ring, or sing a lullaby. If her gums are still keeping her up, call your pediatrician, he may recommend a way to offer your child relief.
Sleep position can be a game-changer, and if your baby is snoring, don’t worry; Smart Nora has a guide to help!
While babies feel more secure sleeping on their tummies, remember, stomach sleeping is linked to an increase in sudden infant death syndrome ISIDS).
Always place your baby on her back to sleep and talk with your pediatrician before using a sleep positioner.
These Factors Can Be The Cause Of A Baby Not Sleeping Through The Night:
Not getting sufficient sleep during the day.
Being too cold or too hot.
Ear or other infections or teething.
A wet or soiled nappy.
It all rests on the parents’ shoulders. How soon are they putting their baby into his own room, and whether they rock him or to sleep or allow him to fall asleep on his own?
One of the chief causes is parents who tend to rush and pick up a baby the moment they hear him cry.
All parents must be realistic about their expectations and have knowledge about sleep and what they are and are not supposed to be doing.
Best Tips For Getting A Baby To Sleep Through
Having a routine – children flourish on predictability and knowing what is expected of them.
Ensuring you create a quiet and calm sleeping environment – a dark room.
Replacing negative sleep connotations with positive ones – try not to rock him to sleep or allow him to fall asleep with his bottle.
Try and teach your child to self-soothe.
Allow him to wind down before going to bed.
No playing or running before bedtime.
Be confident and consistent.