What every Parent needs to know about their Baby’s Sleep
Parents often state that having a baby is one of the toughest jobs they have ever done. New parents can expect to lose an average of 500 hours of sleep in the first year of their baby’s life. Having your sleep interrupted for weeks, months and even years can result in anxiety, forgetfulness, reduced tolerance, relationship issues and even lack of confidence in parenting ability.
Babies (like adults) vary in sleeping habits, each having unique patterns, sleep associations, and responses to settling strategies. Some babies are alert and wakeful – they are just as healthy and “normal” as the baby that has predictable feeding and sleeping patterns. It is important to understand that there is a wide range of “normal”. With time the baby matures, and sleep patterns will more likely resemble parents’ expectations.
Why is my Baby Wakeful?
Sleep Habits – This refers to what help from the parents does the baby need, to go to sleep. These settling strategies will need to be repeated after each sleep cycle the baby has (Newborn – every 20 minutes, 3 Month+ - every 30 to 45 minutes). For example if the baby is breastfed to sleep, the baby associates feeding with sleeping, and will cry upon waking and need another breastfeed to get back to sleep again.
- Hunger – Newborn babies can breastfeed every 90 minutes, progressing to 2 to 4 hourly over the next 3 months. At around the age of 3 – 4 months babies develop a day night rhythm. Previous to this babies have no concept of day or night; it is all the same for them. At 3 to 4 months of age feeds may become 3 to 4 hourly during the day, and 1 feed overnight may be at a longer interval (usually the first sleep of the night). There is no research to say when night time feeds should stop. Whilst breastfeeding is being established (up until 8 to 12 weeks) it is suggested that babies sleeping patterns should not be manipulated.
- Health of a Baby – A sick baby may have disturbed sleep patterns. This may be the case for babies with gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- Developmental Milestones – As babies “practice” new skills in their light sleep (REM Sleep), they may have increase wakings. For example rolling or crawling. Young babies usually need more frequent sleeps and are not able to stay awake for longer than 1 to 1 ½ hours. As the baby develops, the awake time increases from 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours for a 3 to 6 month old to 3 to 6 hours fro a 1 to 2 year old. Night time wakings tend to be less common by the age of 1 to 2 years.
- Individual Baby temperaments.
- Parents who are experiencing depression or anxiety.
What every Parent needs to know to get their Baby to Sleep
What do I need to know to help my baby sleep?
- Understand your baby’s communication/different types of cries.
- Understand your baby’s sleep habits.
- Understand your baby’s tired signs.
- Have realistic expectations of your baby’s needs a various ages.
- Record your baby’s feeds, awake time, crying during settling/resettling and sleep times – for about 4 days. This gives you an understanding of your baby’s sleep patterns.
How can I get my Baby to Sleep?
1. Quality Breastfeeds – Allow baby enough time to transfer adequate volumes of milk (calories). Younger babies may fall asleep whilst feeding, thereby having a “snack” followed by a “nap”, rather than a “meal” and a “sleep”. Older babies become very aware of their environment, and can be easily distracted from feeding.
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2. Identify your baby’s tired signs and act on them.
3. Prepare a sleeping environment.
4. Identify what your baby needs to help him/her go to sleep
5. Identify your baby’s different cries and how he/she responds to settling strategies.
6. Be loving and respectful towards your baby’s needs.
7. Have support from your partner, family, friends or a health care professional.
What if I need more help?
For parents wanting further information and support regarding your baby’s sleeping concerns, here are some options.
1. Pharmacy 777 Breastfeeding Clinic staff, Katrina, Louise and Colleen have attended Ngala’s, “Sleep Management for Health Care Professionals”. Our combined qualifications include nurses, midwives, child health nurses, and lactation consultants. We currently work at Pharmacy 777 Breastfeeding and Baby Clinic, St John of God Hospital, and Ngala. Having a consultation with us will give you a plan, addressing your concerns to reach your goals. Appointments are available Tuesday to Thursday 10 am to 3 pm, and depending on our availability, appointments can be arranged for other times to suit your needs. Phone 9401 6669 to secure your appointment.
2. Ngala Family Resource Centre – Phone 9368 9368.
3. Libraries – Most libraries have Ngala books and videos/DVD to borrow.
