4 Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep At Night
Sleep is one of the main concerns of new parents. During the baby’s first months of life, it is common for adults responsible for their care to suffer significant sleep deprivation due to the need to meet their demands. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to know how to help your baby sleep at night. In this space, we want to offer some guidance on this topic.
Every child is different and not all have the same ability to sleep. For some it’s a simple process and they can sleep in almost any circumstance or environment. Others, on the other hand, need specific conditions like darkness, silence, or parenting. In any case, there is a lot that can be done to encourage your baby’s rest.
Realistic expectations to help your baby sleep at night
It’s completely understandable that you feel exhausted because you can’t get enough sleep at night. And it’s also natural and expected that you’ll want to do everything in your power to make your baby sleep longer at night. However, it must be remembered that infant sleep is different from adult sleep and follows a process that cannot be changed.
Inevitably, in the first few months, babies wake up every two or three hours to be fed. And it’s as they mature that their night’s sleep gets longer. For example, by the age of four months, many babies are already sleeping five or six hours straight at night. And before they complete their first birthday, they can often sleep for up to 10 hours straight. Therefore, it is necessary to be patient and respect the baby’s rhythms without trying to speed them up.
The importance of empathy
Empathy is also essential when it comes to helping your baby sleep. This means being able to forget for a moment what you need (rest several hours at a time) in order to understand what your baby feels and needs. Remember that he is a helpless creature who is totally dependent on you and therefore can be frightened when he finds himself alone and in the dark in his crib.
Some methods propose letting the baby cry until he calms down, without touching or holding him and going to the crib less and less. In fact, this can make the little one stop crying, but not because he will have learned to sleep, but because he will have understood that no one will come to comfort him. Because of the psychological consequences that this type of procedure can have, it is more advisable to have empathy and respect the baby’s needs.
establish routines
Routines are very beneficial for children, as they provide security and make their daily lives more predictable. So try to get your baby to bed and wake him up at the same times every day.
Also, establish some sort of simple ritual and repeat it every day before putting it to sleep. For example, you can bathe him, read a story, sing a lullaby, or do any quiet activity that helps him relax and let him know that bedtime is near.
The right time and place
If you wait too long to put your baby to bed, he may be so tired that he will have a much harder time falling asleep. So try to put him to sleep when he’s sleepy.
Furthermore, it is important that the environment is conducive, that is, that the lighting is dim, that there is silence and that the room is at a comfortable temperature. This will reduce possible discomfort for your child and help them fall asleep more quickly.
Some extra considerations to help your baby sleep
In addition to the above, it may be advisable for your baby to sleep in the same room as you for at least the first year of life. Not only will this help you feel safe and sleep more peacefully, it will also allow you to take care of him faster at night. That way, you’ll avoid having to get up, turn on the lights, or let too much time pass, aspects that can prevent the two of you from going back to sleep.
Also, remember that each baby has its own rhythms. Your child may fall asleep later than expected or wake up very early. Adapting routines to your natural preferences can make rest easier.
In short, it’s about accompanying your baby through the sleep regulation process with love and respect. Don’t worry, sooner or later he’ll sleep through the night and you can rest too.
