Table of contents:
- Study the baby's time of day and night
- Get your baby used to napping
- Take special notes
- Create a special routine for your little one
- Don't let your baby fall asleep while feeding
- Always obey the rules that you make
- Always stick to your routine
Having a new baby is certainly a joy and a challenge in itself. One of the problems parents often encounter is dealing with baby sleep patterns that are still very different from those of adults. Most babies will wake up at night or early morning, leaving parents exhausted or even stressed. However, don't worry, it turns out that there are a number of things you can do to make your baby sleep fast, and sleep better at night. Of course, this will provide a higher quality rest time for you parents.
Study the baby's time of day and night
Newborns have a very limited understanding of the time of day and night. Babies eat, sleep, wet the bed, and repeat all these activities regardless of whether the time is day or night. However, you can teach your baby to understand the time cycle of day and night.
Newborns sleep an average of 16 hours or more per day. This duration is divided into six or seven short naps, such as naps and longer naps. To help your little one understand day and night, try to provide adequate exposure to light and sound during the day. You can take your baby outside, because natural sunlight makes your baby's biological clock work and adjusts itself automatically.
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If your baby is taking a nap, let the sounds in your house be heard by the baby and do not cover all the curtains in the room where your baby sleeps. Conversely, when it's time for a night's sleep, put your baby in the quietest possible environment with the lights off.
Get your baby used to napping
This may be contrary to common understanding, but babies who are tired will not sleep more easily at night. Or, he slept not soundly at night. From the age of 4 months to 1 year, most babies will take 2 naps a day, or maybe more, that is, 3 to 4 times a day.
Make sure that your baby takes regular naps. However, keep in mind that your baby's habits can change when they are sick, teething, or when you take them out. Naps in babies should be no more than 3 or 4 hours, especially their last nap of the day. Longer naps can interfere with a baby's nighttime sleep.
Take special notes
You can make notes in a special book about your baby's bedtime. Keep a good record of the duration and time when your baby naps and sleeps at night. Thus, you can see changes in your baby's habit patterns, and can consult a doctor if you need.
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Create a special routine for your little one
Routine before bed is very important as an introduction for your baby so that your baby can sleep better. You can create routines like:
- Bathing your baby, followed by massaging him with baby oil .
- Dim the lights and give your baby something to drink, but not lying on the bed, as this will put your baby to sleep.
- Lie down with your baby with a story book that you will read. Choose a story book with lots of pictures and a little writing, and that is interesting for the child because you will read it over and over again.
- Sing a lullaby that can make your little one sleepy enough but not to fall asleep when you put it on the bed. It is intended that children are aware of the transition when they need to sleep but are not conscious enough to make them cry or wake up again.
Keep your routine short, consistent, and meaningful to the child. Every child has its own character, some babies may be easy to leave as soon as you put them in bed, but some may feel restless when you want to leave. You may have to pat him on the back or sing a song until your child is quite calm and sleepy.
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Don't let your baby fall asleep while feeding
The habit of letting your baby fall asleep while breastfeeding will have a negative impact in the future. Not all babies can get away from this habit as they get older, some babies become very dependent and make breastfeeding a habit to get them to sleep.
To avoid this bad habit, you can release your little one's suction from her breast or milk bottle right before she falls asleep. Start this habit as early as possible, because the baby's sleeping habits will be formed properly at the age of 4 to 6 months.
Always obey the rules that you make
Cradling a baby to sleep is probably the most effective way to lull a baby to sleep at any time. Hugging your baby can help them calm down and feel safe. The bond with the mother will be strengthened by the release of the oxytoc hormone when you are caring for your baby.
Always remember, that when you take your child to sleep, make sure that he does not fall asleep. Your child will cry when they realize they are alone. Always apply this even in the early morning hours — when you wake up in the midst of your heavy sleep. This may be difficult, but it will pay off because your baby will sleep longer. Five hours is a sleep time that is long enough for babies aged 4 months and under.
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Always stick to your routine
Sick, teething, traveling, are things that can interfere with your baby's sleep pattern. However, do your best to stick to your baby's sleep schedule and bedtime routine. All babies will have their own ups and downs in their sleeping time patterns. One of the keys to lulling babies lies in the routine that you adopt, this routine will make your baby feel comfortable and safe, making them fall asleep more soundly.
Remember, no matter how much of a challenge you face right now to put your baby to sleep, you will miss this time in the future.
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