Baby’s Sleep Routine – I

I have compiled the information I am about to share with you through my personal observations, experiences as well as the books and articles I have read on the subject. Though some of the information contains general facts, technical information, it might also reflect my own thoughts and beliefs.

Every baby is different. Some babies might be more peaceful and relaxed.  Some of them might be on the stubborn side of the scale. My personal conclusion is that, some of these personal traits of the baby is a result of how peaceful or stressful the mother’s pregnancy was, the relationship between the mother and the father as well as the baby’s own personality.  It is natural for our little versions to show their own personalities as soon as they are born. They express their needs in different ways. Though some babies might seem hard to handle, it is never impossible. It is important to watch them and listen to them, feel them and respond to their needs accordingly. You would not be to able to set a system without listening to, observing your baby or by assuming all babies are the same.

We adults are also all different from each other. All parents have different levels of tolerance for crying babies, expectations, feelings, thoughts and patience. We can not expect that all parents use a certain set of rules  for their babies as well.  Also not mothers and fathers have to agree on everything.  This does not prove that one is right the other one isn’t.

WHY IS THE SLEEP VERY IMPORTANT?

For babies:

Babies need enough sleep for body and brain growth.

Hours of sleep babies need per day:

• Newborn babies:              16-20 hours
• 3-4 moths:                        15-16 hours
• 6 months:                         14-15 hours
• 9 months- 1 year old:       14 hours
• 18 months to 2 years old:12-13 hours
• 3-5 years old:                   11-12 hours

For mothers:

Mothers need adequate amount of sleep to rest their their bodies as well as their minds. For this reason, it is to mom’s benefit that babies fall asleep easily and get enough sleep.

LEARNING TO FALL ASLEEP:

When babies are born, naturally they can not make the distinction between day and night and can not fall a sleep on their own right away. This is a skill that can be learned.  Because babies do not know how to fall asleep in the first months and once they start observing things happening around them, it might seem they are fighting not to sleep. This does not mean they don’t want to sleep. It is our duty to get them ready for sleep, help them fall sleep comfortably. The ability to fall asleep on their own is also essential so when babies wake up in the middle of their sleep and be able to fall back into sleep.

Sleeping habits acquired during babyhood as well as childhood are carried on as they become older.  If you ask some mothers and fathers of people who don’t wake up  no matter what happens, or those that turn and toss in bed for long time before they can go into sleep, people who wake up in the middle of their sleep and don’t remember anything, about their children’s sleeping patterns, habits when babies, you would be able to find lots of similarities.

Posts in this series:
Sleeping like a baby
Baby’s Sleep Routine – II
Baby’s Sleep Routine – III