How should a newborn baby sleep in a crib?

The importance of getting enough sleep

A newborn sleeps on average 18 hours a day. A child’s sleep is the key to his full development and growth, favorable social behavior, and his mental and emotional health. During sound and healthy sleep, the baby recovers, grows and rests. It is important that at this time nothing bothers him, does not irritate him, does not cause the slightest discomfort.

The level of mental stress of a newborn baby can be compared with a state of total mobilization aimed at the struggle for survival in an extreme situation that threatens the life of an adult.

Every waking minute, the baby spends intensive work adapting and processing a large amount of information. A child needs sleep to gradually organize his knowledge and ideas about the world. This process involves the functions of attention, memory, systematization and many others, in the implementation of which rest is directly involved.

Learning new things is associated with stress, which can lead to mental and behavioral disorders in the newborn. The child's body is actively growing and developing. The growth process depends on hormones. The main one is produced in the pituitary gland. The greatest amount of it in the child’s blood is observed during sleep.

In the first 2 hours of sleep, 80% of growth hormone is secreted. Lack of rest can lead to stunted growth and slower physical development. Restless sleep also affects the quality of life of the baby's parents.

Sleeping in a crib

How should a newborn sleep in a crib? Emotional and physical health depends on how the baby falls asleep. The main thing is to ensure that there are no unnecessary objects in it, that the surface is even, smooth, and that the bed linen is clean and ironed.

The child should not be completely covered with a warm blanket, as this can lead to suffocation. The baby will feel more comfortable in the crib if the mother places it next to hers.

Poses options:

1. the most natural one is on the back. At the same time, turn your head to the side so that the baby does not choke if he burps;
2. you can put it on its side, and put a small cushion or a rolled up towel under the back so that it doesn’t turn over;
3. If you are not swaddling, put cotton scratch pads on the arms so that hand movements do not wake you up.

Children can sleep on their stomachs, however, this position is not advisable. Everyone is different, so parents need to determine the ideal sleep position on their own.

When should a child sleep on a pillow? In the first year, it is necessary that the entire body is at the same level. You are allowed to place a thin diaper under your head. The exception is a special lining in the shape of a “butterfly” with a notch in the middle. A simple pillow is placed after reaching two years of age.

At what angle? Make sure that the angle of elevation of the baby's head in relation to his body does not exceed 10 centimeters.

What pillow should a child sleep on? There are clamps to make installation easier. If the baby sleeps in a cradle, a thin diaper folded four times is placed under the head.

Creating conditions for baby's sleep

Before putting a newborn to bed, you need to create suitable conditions for him.

Crib, mattress and pillow

A separate place to sleep is important for a child. The use of a cradle is possible only in the first few months of life. Sleeping in a stroller is not recommended due to its poor ventilation, which can lead to overheating and insufficient oxygen supply to the child's body.

A children's mattress should be:

• smooth;
• elastic;
• exactly match the size of the crib;
• fit tightly to its walls.

If the crib model allows you to install the mattress at different heights, then you first need to place it at the top mark so that it is convenient to remove the baby from the crib. As soon as the child learns to kneel, the mattress should be lowered.

Newborns are not provided with a pillow. However, today you can buy an anatomical pillow strictly in accordance with age. An inclined pad made of polyurethane foam or latex is placed over the sheet and slightly raises the head of the head.

You can use a sleeping bag instead of a blanket.

Room microclimate

Disputes often arise between adults regarding the optimal temperature in a newborn's room. Some parents believe that the baby will freeze, while overheating is much more dangerous for him, because... The thermoregulation system is not mature. The damage from high temperatures is aggravated by dry air, which is often elevated in houses with central heating. The situation is aggravated by the use of electric heating devices in winter.

Dry air absorbs moisture from the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, disrupting the free flow of mucus and removing irritants, allergens and microbes from the body. To control the humidity and temperature in the room, it is advisable to place a thermometer and hygrometer.

Before going to bed, be sure to ventilate the room to reduce the temperature by 1-2°. The optimal temperature in a newborn’s room should be +20…+22°C, for a 1-3 month old baby – +18…+20°C, over 3 months – +18°C. The baby should not sleep with the air conditioner running. Recommended humidity is 50-70%. To maintain it, you can use humidifiers or hang wet towels.

Lighting

In order for the child to quickly understand the difference between the time of day, it is better to put him to bed in the dark at night, and in semi-darkness during the day. To create it during the day, thick curtains, bumpers or bumpers for the crib will be useful. They should not be very thick so that air can pass through them. The light should be diffused, so it is important to purchase a bedside night light.

Bed sheets

The bed linen set should be made from natural fabrics. This material ensures a natural exchange between the baby’s body and the linen, prevents the body from overheating, and absorbs moisture well.

Cloth

It is preferable to use clothes made of soft, air- and moisture-permeable natural fabrics, without rough seams, elastic bands, large and hard parts. Clothing should be such that you can quickly change the diaper without waking the baby. In this regard, it is convenient to use sliders with unfastening buttons along the crotch.

Safety

Even when the baby is sleeping, you should follow the health and safety rules:

• if a child sucks a pacifier, the holder or ribbon should be removed to avoid suffocation;
• It is better to keep the nursery door closed; pets have no place in the baby’s room.

No one should be allowed to smoke near the nursery, because... Smoke inhalation causes sudden infant death.

You cannot arrange a child’s bedroom next to radiators, electrical appliances and wires, or indoor plants. There should be no shelves hanging above the crib. You should not place a large number of soft toys, carpets, books in the bedroom - the main dust collectors and strong allergens.

Specifics of day rest

Daytime sleep is a recuperation for the child and a respite for the parents. It is important to understand the baby from the first weeks and not to miss the moment when the baby wants to sleep. During this period it is easiest to lay him down. During REM sleep, children's pupils actively move, they move their arms and legs, grimace, make sucking movements and make various sounds. Children may wake up as they transition from one sleep cycle to another. Some babies happily fall asleep not in complete silence, but in the presence of “white noise.”

Correctly, safely putting a newborn to sleep is the key to his healthy and proper rest. It is for this reason that parents should approach this with great responsibility.

Before putting your newborn to bed, pay attention to the following: They may seem like a small thing to you.

However, believe me, taking these parameters into account, you will be able to quickly put your newborn to bed:

• External conditions (temperature 20-22°C, humidity 50-60%, sounds and lighting);
• Comfortable clothes for a newborn to sleep (appropriate size, material);
• Physical discomfort (gastrointestinal dysfunction, increased gas formation, headache, fever, teething). If your child's sleep is affected, you should always consult a doctor;
• Lack of activity . A child cannot get physically tired if he spends all his waking hours in a stroller or in his mother’s arms. As a result, you will not want to sleep. In this case, the solution would be to organize spending time in accordance with the age of the newborn;
• Overexcitement . When the nervous system is overloaded, cortisol is released into the blood, which does not allow the newborn to relax and fall asleep;
• The child does not get enough relaxation . Children do not know how to slow down on their own from birth. They are in constant exploration of the world around them. This is what parents teach. You should always organize a quiet wakefulness some time before bedtime.

We all understand that newborns are all different. Everyone has their own need for parental help, an individual level of sensitivity, and a predisposition to tactile or sound contact.

So how do you get your newborn to sleep?

1. Get motion sick . This is perhaps the oldest way to put a child to sleep. If you choose this method, then you should remember that the amplitude of swinging on your arms should not be too large. Otherwise, the baby will lose consciousness, and you will mistakenly think that he has fallen asleep. The swing should be smooth, not fast, rhythmic. If you pump too weakly, the baby will not fall asleep. You can swing not only on your hands, but also in special beds with pendulums or in a cradle, also in a stroller or on a fitball. If you rock in your arms, then wait until the newborn is deeply asleep; only then will you be able to shift the baby without waking him up. But remember that this way of putting your baby to bed is addictive. At the end of the sleep cycle, the baby wakes up without feeling the usual movements and is unable to fall asleep again.
2. Place the newborn on the chest . Breasts are not only a source of nutrition, but they are also a way to calm down. The child smells and hears the mother’s heartbeat. Just like rocking is associated with time spent in the womb. The downside of this method is that when you try to put the baby in a crib, he may wake up and, in addition, it causes a strong food-sleep association.
3. Organize co-sleeping with your newborn . The reasons for the success of this method of placement are approximately the same as with breastfeeding. The closeness of the mother becomes a determining factor. But it is worth remembering that this method should be comfortable for all family members. That is, a dad who has gone to sleep on the sofa, a mother who is afraid to take an extra breath so as not to wake up the baby, will not bring the expected comfort to the family. It is also worth remembering about safety, if the mother sleeps very soundly, but spins a lot, then there is a risk of crushing the child. Take this into account when choosing a installation method.
4. Create a ritual before bed . Show your newborn that it will soon be time for rest and sleep. For him, this will be a signal to calm down. Over time, repeated actions before bed will become routine for your baby. The ritual should be pleasant to all participants, evoke positive emotions and relax the child. There is a certain risk that it will not be possible to organize a ritual outside the home. Therefore, it is best to think it through and make it as versatile as possible so that you can put it to bed in any conditions and anywhere. In the course “RITUAL FOR SLEEP” you will be able to create a working ritual, depending on the characteristics of your child.
5. Use white noise . Children fall asleep quite easily to monotonous, repetitive sounds. Parents can only test and determine which sound makes it easier to put their newborn to sleep. It can be hissing, the sound of pouring water, buzzing, monotonous and calm music. The main thing is to choose the optimal volume and distance to the child, no more than 50 dB and no less than 1 meter.
6. Take a warm bath . But you need to remember that this method has different effects. Some newborns, on the contrary, become excited, and instead of sound sleep, you will get the child’s reluctance to fall asleep. This feature also changes with age; at 2 months the bath excites, and at 6 months it calms. You can add various herbal decoctions to the bath, which also help the newborn to relax.
7. Equip a cozy sleeping place . All newborns can be placed in this way. For all 9 months the baby was in the womb, in a cramped space. Therefore, for the first time after birth, the newborn feels especially protected if his movements are constrained. The big world still scares him. Also, in the first month after birth, children still have poor control over their hands and can accidentally wake themselves up in their sleep. The best solution would be swaddling, or using special cocoons that are placed in a crib. If you choose this way to place your newborn, then do not forget about safety measures; nothing should restrict the baby’s breathing.

In what position should a newborn be placed?

Many pediatricians recommend placing the newborn on his back or side. The side position reduces the risk of choking if the baby burps. Experts advise changing the side so that the plastic bones of the skull take on a rounded, even shape.

Some newborns categorically do not like to fall asleep on their back ; in this case, the parent just needs to wait for the onset of deep sleep and put the newborn on the back. Some doctors advise turning your head to the side when sleeping in this position. But there are studies that prove a child’s ability to instinctively turn his head to the side when burping.

The position “on the stomach” does not inspire confidence among doctors, as it increases the possibility of SIDS. Although with this arrangement it is easiest for newborns to pass gas. The likelihood of the syndrome occurring decreases after 6 months, so it is best to always monitor your baby if he sleeps like this in his crib.

If you decide to put your newborn to sleep on his stomach, then be sure to pay attention to the safety of the space around him. There should be nothing in the crib next to the newborn that could somehow interfere with normal breathing (stuffed toys, rugs, blankets, pillows). This rule always applies, even if it seems to you that the child is very small. Believe me, newborns develop very quickly and rollover skills can appear unexpectedly. And of course, under no circumstances place a child wrapped in film or a cocoon on his stomach; lack of movement can also lead to dire consequences.

If you decide to put your newborn to bed a short time after feeding, then it is best to choose a position “on the side” , this will help remove excess air. But if possible, then lift the newborn upright, fixing the head, and support for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the air will come out and the baby will burp, after which you can put the baby in the crib. To be sure, it is best to organize the sleeping place in such a way that the upper part of the baby is slightly higher; this significantly reduces the risk of choking on vomit.

In conclusion, I would like to say that parents can take a comprehensive approach to solving problems with a newborn’s sleep, but still something does not work out. Mom begins to get angry and nervous, and the situation worsens even more. The reasons for this can be very different. Don’t let the situation take its course, don’t despair and don’t give up, everything can be corrected and organized.

In the courses “ SLEEP PASSPORT ” and “ BABY’S SLEEP. MOTHER IN RESOURCE » We first of all take care of the mother, fill her with the resources necessary for high-quality care of the baby, and of course we develop an individual work plan for living a regression, adapted specifically for your baby. Write your name and phone number (with code) in a private message, we will select a suitable format for work for you within the framework of courses or individually. We won’t call, we’ll write via messenger.

Author: Tatyana Kremneva.

How to quickly put a newborn to sleep

By the 7th month of pregnancy, the baby's sleep pattern is formed. The expectant mother should monitor her routine several months before giving birth, so that later she does not have to look for the answer to the question of how to put her month-old baby to bed. Women whose pregnancy proceeded calmly and without fuss are less likely to encounter problems with the child’s restless and short sleep.

There is no single special technique for putting children to sleep. However, all experts agree that the key to healthy and sound sleep is adherence to a daily routine.

Sleepy ritual

The child does not determine the time by the clock, so the mother’s actions and rituals indicate to him that it is time to get ready for bed. Some sleep ritual ideas to help get your baby to sleep:

• bathing;
• massage;
• changing into pajamas;
• snack;
• hugs and kisses;
• lullaby.

Do not delay the ritual, 30-40 minutes is enough.

Water treatments

Most babies experience joy from water procedures.

Water relaxes children under one year old and helps them get ready for sleep.

Bathing newborns is also a special type of communication between parents and children. When a baby is carefully washed in the bath, he has associations with how he was in his mother’s belly. This memory evokes a feeling of security and awareness of being loved. All these points are important for the development of the baby.

For greater relaxation, you can add an infusion of soothing herbs, such as string, or special oils to the water. Parents should monitor their child’s behavior after water procedures. They have a stimulating effect on some children.

Swaddling

After many months in the fetal position, the newborn is not accustomed to open space. In addition, he does not yet know that his arms and legs are part of himself. Therefore, the child becomes frightened at the sight of the random movement of moving limbs. Swaddling is one of the oldest techniques that helps a baby calm down. It may seem old-fashioned, but modern research confirms its effectiveness.

pacifier pacifier

If the child refuses to fall asleep, then you should give him a pacifier. In the first 3 months of life, the baby's daily routine is formed, this relieves the mother of the need for constant presence. However, the pacifier should not be used uncontrollably. With a reasonable approach by parents to this issue, the baby selflessly sucks the pacifier for 6-7 minutes, then the movements slow down and the pacifier falls out of the mouth. The baby has spent energy sucking and falls asleep.

Mom's milk

Having satisfied one need, you can switch to another, so often children who are breastfed fall asleep even during feeding. Firstly, a newborn needs to make a lot of effort to eat. This is hard work for them, and the child gets tired. Secondly, sleep well after eating. One minus is that the baby may wake up at the moment when he is transferred to the crib, weaned from the breast or the bottle is taken away.

Experts advise that in order for the child to sleep well at night and fall asleep easily, in the evening at the penultimate feeding, slightly underfeed him, and before going to bed, let him eat his fill.

3-5 days are enough, and babies will develop a routine. It will change over time, but it will help to leave basic daytime and nighttime sleep virtually unchanged.

Motion sickness

Motion sickness is a natural need of a newborn. It helps you fall asleep quickly. Psychologists recommend rocking in your arms (especially in the first 3 months), which helps you feel the warmth of your mother’s hands and protection from the still unfamiliar world, and consider it a guarantee of the development of a calm, balanced personality. Smooth rocking is allowed, accompanied by light, pleasant music.

Musical works

Quiet classical music has a beneficial effect on a child's sleep. It helps you relax and fall asleep faster. The main thing is to place the speaker away from the crib. Sounds should be quiet, not harsh. Classical music, the sound of rain or the ocean, and sounds of nature work well. Music will not affect the quality of your child's sleep. On the contrary, it will help you fall asleep deeper. Some parents leave quiet sounds of nature on all night.

Even if the child wakes up, he will be able to fall asleep sooner, and the mother will not have to get up. Such a calming atmosphere has a good effect on the duration and quality of sleep of an infant. If the baby doesn’t like the music, then you shouldn’t put him to it, because... this may form the wrong associations for falling asleep.

You need to pay attention to what composition soothes the baby.

If a mother listened to music during pregnancy, then she already knows what melodies the baby likes and calms him down.

Caress and hugs

The baby should feel that his mother is nearby. You can rhythmically pat him on the back, simulating heartbeats, gently stroke his head, touch his ear, or hold his finger. This will help the child feel love, affection and feel safe.

Self-soothing

Every time a child falls asleep, he goes through a sequence of 3 phases:

1. Window. The baby yawns and demonstrates that he is tired. Before he yawns for the third time, he needs to be put to bed. If this is not done, he will not move to the second phase and will cry.
2. Blackout. The phase is characterized by a frozen gaze, directed to an unknown destination. The child holds it for 3-4 minutes, and although his eyes are open, he does not look anywhere. His consciousness is between sleep and reality.
3. Sandman. At this moment, the baby resembles a person who has dozed off on a train: the eyes close, the head falls on the chest. He fell asleep, but his eyes suddenly open and he returns to his previous position. Then the eyelids drop again, and everything is repeated again 3 to 5 times. After this he falls asleep.

It takes 20 minutes for a child to fall asleep, and you should not try to speed up the process.

How to understand that a child wants to sleep

In order for your child to be active, healthy and well-rested, you need to put him to bed on time and follow the rules of children's naps. To do this, you need to be able to recognize the signs that indicate that the child wants to sleep:

• rubs his eyes;
• yawns;
• looks for a pacifier or breast to suck, sucks his own finger;
• rubs ears, nose, head or pulls hair;
• does not want to play, tries to climb onto the crib or into your arms.

These are signs of fatigue at which you need to put your baby to bed. If this is not done, fatigue turns into overwork: the child begins to be capricious, cry, throw toys, and refuse the breast or pacifier. In this case, it will take much longer to fall asleep.

Author's methods

There are several techniques that will help you lay your baby down in a few minutes.

Harvey Karp Method

American pediatrician Harvey Karp has developed a simple but effective technique that allows you to quickly euthanize infants. It has helped many babies and parents fall asleep peacefully and rest better.

Dr. Karp hypothesized that for some time after birth the child is not yet ready for life in the big world. He calls the first 3 months of a baby's life the fourth trimester. Therefore, at this time he will need conditions similar to those in the womb. The child spent 9 months listening to the murmur of blood flow and the noise of internal organs, swaying to the rhythm of his mother’s steps. His method is called the “5 Ps”:

1. Swaddling. The child is placed in a tight shell, which helps to calm down.
2. Position on the side or stomach in the mother's arms. He doesn't like lying on his back; it makes him feel anxious. Besides, he was used to sleeping curled up in a ball.
3. The usual noise and hissing. In the womb, the baby is accustomed to constant background noise. The long sound “sh” is most similar to it. Therefore, in order for him to calm down and fall asleep, you can hiss in his ear.
4. Wiggle. Karp recommends rocking the baby in a stroller or crib.
5. Pacifier or sucking. This is calming because... in the womb the child sucked his fist.

Estiville method

Estiville is a Spanish doctor, professor at the Barcelona Center for Research and Treatment of Sleep Disorders. The doctor claims that from 6 months a child can sleep alone in a room when it is dark around and not wake up until the morning. The author of the method pays a lot of attention to rituals and sequential actions before bedtime, to which the child gradually gets used to.

According to Estiville, a baby can go to bed without crying and happily fall asleep alone in the room without assistance.

A toy and pacifier can help a baby cope with the lack of adult support. The author of the technique suggests putting the child to bed at the same time.

According to the approach, the mother puts the baby to bed without motion sickness or unnecessary help. The child may cry, get out of bed, and stretch his arms. The mother should calmly approach the cradle and explain in a calm voice that she will teach him to sleep. After this, you should leave the room and wait until the child is alone.

At first it is 1 minute, and then 3-5 minutes. After this, mom enters the room and leaves again. With each entry, the time outside the door increases by 2-4 minutes. According to the scheme, up to 7, 10, 12 minutes. Every visit of the mother calms the child, because... confirms that she hasn't gone anywhere. If the child wakes up, then falling asleep follows the same pattern.

The technique is not suitable for children who have increased excitability and for those who are not prone to self-soothing.

Nathan Dylo Method

Australian father Nathan Dylo showed off a trick that has caught the fancy of many parents hoping to get their baby to sleep. The napkin method involves moving a napkin in front of the baby's face. After 40 seconds the child falls asleep. Such a reaction occurs due to repeated movements and the characteristics of the child’s psyche. The parent waves a paper napkin in front of the child's eyes, forcing him to focus on the object.

Neuropsychologists say that such actions can tire anyone, even the most excited baby. Instead of a napkin, you can use a clean handkerchief. This trick is suitable for a two month old baby. If the baby is older than 3 months, then he will need less time and effort to focus his gaze on an object.

Another method involves stroking the head. It is important to keep your hands dry and warm and your nails short. In this way, the mother’s warmth and care are transferred to the child. The baby falls asleep within a minute.

Tips for parents

Sleep organization is a comprehensive approach that helps to form associations for falling asleep and develop the habit of going to bed at the same time. Here are some tips to help make the styling process easier:

• Decreased activity. If the baby is excessively active in the evening, of course, it will not be easy for him to fall asleep. It is important to shift the peak of activity to the daytime, and in the evening try to captivate him with a calm activity, for example, fairy tales. You can also leisurely walk around the house, close the curtains, hum melodic songs, lullabies, turn on the projector and watch the drawings on the ceiling with your baby.
• Ritual before bed. The bedtime ritual helps the child understand that bedtime is coming. This could be a certain sequence of actions - finger gymnastics, a meditative fairy tale. The ritual helps the baby get used to falling asleep at the same time, get enough communication with his parents, calm down and fall asleep faster.
• Mode. From 10 months, the baby can already follow a certain daily routine. Teach him to wake up, walk, sleep during the day, and bathe at the same time. Then his biorhythms will gradually adjust to this schedule, and there will be no problems with falling asleep.
• The mother's condition affects the process of falling asleep. If the mother puts the baby to bed feeling tense, the child will not be able to relax either. Try to let go of all worries before putting your baby to bed. Take your time and don't worry in advance that you'll have a long and tedious process ahead of you. Calmly carry out your usual bedtime ritual and don’t wait for the baby to finally close his eyes. Then you will be relaxed, which means your child will fall asleep faster.

Of course, there are no magical ways to help put a baby to sleep in a minute. Falling asleep quickly is the result of proper sleep organization. Carefully monitor your periods of sleep and wakefulness during the day, learn to quickly respond to signs of drowsiness, and going to bed will become quick and easy for you.

By the way, you can learn more about breastfeeding techniques in the course https://legkie-rody.ru/grudnoe in our online school “Easy Childbirth”.

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Choosing the right sleeping positions

After returning from the maternity hospital, one of the first questions that concerns parents is how to properly put their child to sleep.

The position in which he sleeps is important for the health of a newborn: whatever it is, you need to remember that in this position he feels as comfortable as possible.

There is no need to constantly turn it over. If a newborn sleeps soundly and breathes smoothly, he enjoys this state.

On the side

This position is considered to be the safest. This is due to the structural features of the stomach and esophagus of infants. Since the baby may burp after feeding, the newborn should be placed on its side.

Semi-sideways

If a child suffers from intestinal colic, then he will like this pose. It helps you fall asleep quickly and pass gas. To fix the position, you can place a bolster or blanket under the baby’s back.

On the back

This position, although considered natural for a newborn, can be dangerous. Lying in this position after feeding, the child may choke on the regurgitated mass. To prevent this from happening, after feeding the baby you need to carry it in a column. Sleeping on the back is contraindicated for a child if he has a runny nose, muscle hypertonicity, colic, or gas.

On the tummy

Despite the fact that many parents put their babies to sleep in this position, experts believe that it is not entirely safe for children. Pressure on the chest interferes with the natural ventilation of the lungs. Also in this position the activity of the autonomic nervous system may change.

In the fetal position

If a baby chooses a fetal position to sleep, he may have muscle hypertonicity. In this case, you need to consult a specialist.

Sleepwear

What a baby sleeps in depends on several factors: the temperature in the apartment, the time of year (in the summer you don’t have to dress the baby at all, leaving only a diaper), his well-being, age, etc. The most comfortable clothing is a jumpsuit with scratches. It does not restrict movement and protects the baby’s delicate skin from its own sharp nails. It's warm and easy to put on and take off, which is especially good for parents who use diapers. The jumpsuit is ideal for children of both sexes.

These recommendations should definitely be taken into account, especially if parents want their child to sleep peacefully throughout the night. And if the child sleeps peacefully, then mom and dad also sleep, which gives them the opportunity to feel full of strength and desire to communicate with their baby.

Norms for daytime and night rest for infants

Sleep is important for infant growth. Therefore, you need to know its norms as well as the standards for food volume, height, and weight gain. Sleep standards for up to one year:

1. 1-3 months. The child sleeps 4-8 times during the day and 8-10 hours at night. Total per day - from 16 to 10 hours.
2. 4-5 months. The number of dreams during the day is 3-4, at night 10-12 hours. The total hours of sleep per day are from 14 to 17.
3. 6-8 months. During the day he sleeps 2-3 times, at night - 10-12 hours. In total, a child sleeps from 13 to 15 hours a day.
4. 9-11 months. The number of dreams during the day is 2, at night – 10-12 hours. In total, sleep is from 12 to 15 hours.
5. 1 year. During the day, the child sleeps 1-2 hours, at night - 10-12 hours. A child sleeps from 12 to 14 hours a day.

These are average standards, because Each baby has its own characteristics.

The quality and norm also depend on the general condition, health, and temperament. For example, if an infant has signs of a cold, then sleep may be shorter, but he will sleep more often.

Why do you need naps during the day?

Daytime sleep is simply necessary for an infant.
A newborn sleeps up to 20 hours, about half of which he sleeps during the day. With each month, the duration of daytime and night sleep is gradually reduced. By the time children are one year old, they already sleep 11-12 hours, of which at least 2.5-3 should come from two naps during the day. Normal sleep is especially important for a newborn, whose entire first month of life is spent practically adapting to the new conditions of existence into which he found himself after getting out of his mother’s tummy. At the same time, biorhythms begin to form that regulate periods of physical activity and rest.

By three months, the baby has already managed to more or less adapt to the new life and begins to explore the world. He is bombarded with a huge amount of new information, which his small brain is simply not able to quickly process and assimilate. Therefore, after 2-3 hours of active wakefulness, the baby wants to sleep.

But here a conflict arises between his desire to sleep and the ability to do so - an overexcited child’s psyche needs much more time to calm down than an adult. A very tired baby simply cannot fall asleep and needs his mother’s understanding and help.

During any sleep, vital processes are activated that have a direct impact on the growth and development of the baby:

• growth hormone is produced;
• physical relaxation occurs;
• the nervous system is stabilized;
• information is processed;
• energy reserves are replenished.

Imagine what will happen to a small organism if it is deprived of all this?! If you don’t put the baby to bed in time, he simply changes before your eyes - from a cute smiling toddler he suddenly turns into a loudly screaming creature wet with sweat that simply cannot be calmed down.

A baby who has not rested for the required amount of time during the day becomes so tired in the evening that it is impossible to fall asleep again.

Therefore, the mother’s first task is to choose the regime of alternating sleep and wakefulness that is optimal for her and meets the needs of the baby and strictly adhere to it. Within a few days, the baby will get used to the schedule, and it will be much easier to put him to bed.

Reasons for not sleeping

In addition to the fact that a child wakes up from a feeling of hunger, the following reasons can also cause wakefulness at night:

• teething;
• active games before bed;
• a hearty meal at night;
• wet diaper;
• insufficient humidity in the nursery;
• high or low temperature;
• allergic itching.

The reason that a child does not sleep well can be various neurological diseases.

To find out the exact cause, you should consult a doctor.

Laying features

You've probably already heard that preparation for evening sleep should be accompanied by certain rituals that, repeated day after day, help the baby relax and prepare for the night's rest. During the day, these rituals can also be present, but in a shorter version and in a different form.

So it is necessary for the baby to understand that now they are preparing only for a short rest. Then he will go to bed more calmly.

1. Changing clothes. It is better to have separate pajamas for nighttime sleep. During the day, the baby can sleep in panties or diapers and a light T-shirt or vest.
2. Soft light. You should not create complete darkness in the room where the baby will sleep. This can throw off his biorhythms, causing him to sleep for several hours and then be impossible to put him to bed in the evening.
3. Moderate noise. There is also no need to ensure complete silence, just avoid sharp sounds that can frighten the baby. Let him get used to the fact that his mother is nearby and goes about her business while he rests.

A great option to put your baby to sleep without scandals is a walk. What could be better than a relaxing holiday in the fresh air? Moreover, in a stroller that moves slowly and rocks smoothly, lulling the baby to sleep. If it’s more convenient for you, combine a walk with one of your daytime naps.

But remember that it is impossible to teach your child to sleep only outside during the day for several reasons. Firstly, for him this is a way of understanding the world, so walking while awake is more useful and informative for the baby. He gets acquainted with the world around him and gets new impressions that develop the brain and train the psyche.

Secondly, what will you do on those days when weather conditions do not allow you to go out for a walk for an hour and a half, which is necessary for a nap. If you teach your child to sleep only in a moving stroller, then be prepared to run around the apartment with it in case of bad weather.

Finally, sleeping in a crib is healthier for your baby, as it teaches him to be independent and develops an awareness that the bed is a place to sleep. But then try so that after learning to crawl and sit, the baby spends more time in active movement - on a mat or in a playpen. This will develop him physically and help him fall asleep faster when he gets back into bed.