The first year of a baby’s life has many milestones, and sleeping through the night is one of the most anticipated by parents. Until then, the family has to adjust to the changing baby sleep routine.
Exactly how changeable? Sleep Foundation points out that the number of hours and periods of sleep during the day and night will move between 0 and 3 months (they will spend 14 to 17 hours asleep, with numerous interruptions), 3 to 6 months (they will need 12 to 15 hours, in longer sleep blocks) and at the end of this stage is when most begin to sleep long during the night.
From 6 to 12 months, babies will sleep at night, but —and this is important— the dreaded regressions may occur, in which they will wake up again in the hours of darkness, due to teething, growth spurts or diseases.
A liberating message for new mothers
Carolina Gaibor, a mother of two, became an infant sleep consultant after having her second child. “At some point in those months, the fatigue became very great and had a great impact on my day; I was irritable, I had little patienceless concentration and an older girl who also had to pay attention to “.
He decided, with his partner, to take a program that included a sleep workshop. “My baby was one of the fastest pickers, and the change was incredible; you begin to notice how important rest is in your day. And I said, ‘This is for me; I want to help moms who are going through the same thing.’”
Gaibor thus acquired the concept of lightness in motherhoodby becoming certified at The Craddle Coach Academy, where continuing education for family sleep hygiene is provided, both for traditional nuclei and for families that adopt or temporarily house a child.
“Lightness in your motherhood means that it does not have to be a sacrifice to be a mother; that’s so liberating! I had this imposed idea that everything is sacrificed in maternity: sleep, lactation, complementary food, tantrums, because they have told us that it is so, ”says Gaibor. “Today we have so many professionals who help to make all stages bearable, and sleep is one of the keys.”
Sleep hygiene does not mean training the child to sleep according to our wishes. It is important that mom and dad know the general features of a good sleep. Not all families can afford an ideal environment; some mothers will have to return to work soon; others will have to take their baby with them, and won’t have the comfort of a dark space to put them to sleep. “Yes, the baby can adapt to the dynamics of the family, but always taking into account what their needs are”.
At the end of the day, says Gaibor, if the baby is resting well, so are the parents. “They depend on each other.” And parents need each other. “We think that only mom is going to take care of the baby, feed it, change the diaper. However, we have our tribe around us, and it is important that mom let herself be supported, mainly by her partner”.
Shared care cannot come by imposition either, but through an agreement of responsibilities. “While it is true that only mom can breastfeed, dad can make sure she is comfortable, pick up the baby once he falls asleep and put him in the crib. She can always be ”.
Help your baby sleep well
Stanford Children’s Hospital is in favor of creating a bedtime routine that involves cuddling or nursing, but has a recommendation: do not let the baby fall asleep in the arms. This could become a pattern for him, and he will begin to expect to be held in order to sleep. Then, when he suddenly wakes up, he won’t be able to get back to sleep on his own.
In contrast, babies who can rock back to sleep are more secure and can better handle times of separation, especially at night.
- Save the hugs and cooing for the day.
- Allow time for naps based on your baby’s age.
- Do not stimulate or agitate him close to bedtime.
- Create a sleep routine, such as bath, book, and rocking chair.
- Play soft music when you see him sleepy.
- Transitional bedtime items (blanket, stuffed animal) are fine only after the child has developed the ability to roll over and sit up.
- Tuck him in when he’s sleepy, don’t wait for him to fall asleep.
- Comfort your baby who wakes up at night with words and pats. Don’t pick him up from the bed.
The four month regression
Around four months a regression in the sleep pattern occurs. He already slept better, waking up once or twice at night, and suddenly he begins to worry more often, unbalancing everyone’s routine.
Gaibor says this is an indicator that babies are growing and their sleep cycles are changing. They need fewer hours, so daytime naps should decrease and be less and less long, until they stop completely, around the age of three. “If the nap is affecting bedtime, it must be reduced or removed”.
The first six or eight weeks will be one of constant adaptation, and mom will have to give herself permission to sleep when the baby sleeps; after that time, she should be able to calm down. “The other thing, so that the load is not so great, is rGo to people in the family circle who are with the baby while the mother rests, takes a bath or eats. Those are postpartum luxuries, and you have to take advantage of them.” And, if possible, do not use the opportunity to take on more household chores. (F)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
