Have you ever sat in bed at 3 AM, looked at your baby cry, and wanted to start crying yourself? Lol! we know. We all parents have to go through this.
When it comes to babies, a common concern is the baby's sleep routine, or in most cases lack thereof. Even individuals who don’t have children have some understanding of how tough sleepless nights and tight fist tantrums can be.
Therefore, parents or guardians need to understand infants' behavior from the beginning of their birth to be able to establish a baby's sleep routine accordingly. Here we are at your service to let you know what are easy ways to build a baby's sleep routine to ease your concerns. So let's dive into these ways!
Why Baby's Sleep Routine is Essential?
According to the Sleep Foundation, circadian rhythm understanding the importance of R7566ythms,
“There are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out essential functions and processes. One of the most important and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle.”
This means that having a routine can help babies fall asleep at the right time and recognize the difference between day and night. Recognizing this will lead them to develop the habit of timely sleeping.
Furthermore, safe sleep practices and routine is essential for the prevention of SIDS. That's why it must not be ignored.
How to Build a Baby's Sleep Routine?
The older your baby gets the easier it will be for you to maintain a schedule. This routine doesn’t have to be set in stone the minute your baby is born, first take some time to settle down and care for your health as well.
These are some important things and steps to consider in building your babies' sleep routine:
Making the perfect environment for your baby
A comforting sound to soothe baby
Naps timing of your baby
Don't feed or rock your baby
Be flexible with your baby
Self-care is necessary
Swaddle your baby
Have patience
Making the Perfect Environment for your Baby
The best way to help your child fall asleep is to make them feel comfortable and warm. Try putting them in a low-lit room. A while before their bedtime, read a bedtime story and cuddle them.
A Comforting Sound to Soothe Baby
Around the 25th week of pregnancy, the fetus can begin to hear sounds. Some people recommend having a low noise in the background, quiet or far enough to not damage the child's hearing, but loud enough that the familiar sound can lull the child to sleep.
This can help maintain your child's routine if they are in an unfamiliar environment, like a friend's house. Singing is also a good way to lull them. Your voice will be familiar to your child, and the best part is that they aren't old enough to complain about your singing skills.
Naps Timing of your Baby
Newborns to two-year-olds require sixteen to thirteen hours of sleep. Setting a time in the day when your child can nap will help them fall asleep at the right time at night.
These naps should be a few hours long, depending on how old your baby is. The older your child is, the more likely their body will be used to longer, undisturbed naps. Newborns normally sleep for less time, but nap more.
Signs of Naping
These naps should preferably be after feeding and a diaper change so they don’t keep waking up. Keep an eye on your baby to see when they normally start to get sleepy and plan your routine around that.
Some signs of a sleepy baby are closed fists, fluttering eyelids, and yawning. Furthermore, they may look worried and arch their back. If your baby is fussing and wailing after a diaper change and they have been fed and aren't sick, then that's a surefire sign that it's time to hit the crib.
Don't Feed or Rock your Baby
Something to avoid while putting your baby to sleep is carrying them in your arms or feeding them to sleep. While this may be a quick way to put your child down in the crib and run to some 'me time', your child will get used to it and this habit may be more problematic for you to continue later on.
Be Flexible with your Baby
Even if you find a method that works for you, understand that this doesn’t mean your baby will uphold that routine regularly. There will indefinitely be days with late naps and bedtimes. Don't let these days stress you out. Not everything needs to be by the book every day.
Self-Care is Necessary
When taking care of a newborn, most parents get little to no sleep. Although this is inevitable and it will take you some time to settle, make sure you have help around the house so you can take care of yourself and eat properly.
If you aren't healthy your baby won't be healthy.
As stressful as it may be, don't forget to take a step back and enjoy these beautiful moments, they pass by in the blink of an eye.
Swaddle your Baby
Swaddling is a traditional practice around the world in which parents wrap their children in a lightweight blanket. This keeps your baby from moving around much, and the warm tight bundle makes them feel safe and tired.
This is an excellent alternative to carrying your child in your arms and won't tire you out as much. Just make sure that you wrap underneath the face and don't wrap too tight. There are many tutorials online on how to swaddle. Here's one for you!
Have Patience
You might get frustrated from all that exhaustion and crying, but if you give it some time, your child will eventually fall into a routine. However, you still might be on edge and panic at every slightest sound that comes from your baby's room.
As difficult as it may seem, don't jump to pick up your child at the smallest sound. Babies are often squirmish and will most likely fall in and out of sleep throughout the night. Disturbing them when they are falling in and out of sleep will only wake them up.
FAQ's
1. How do I get my baby into a sleep routine?
You can get your baby into the sleep routine by repeating the same practices every night at the same time. The same pattern every night will make cues in your baby's mind and help build a sleep routine.
2. What is a bad sleep pattern?
A bad sleep pattern is when your baby keeps waking up after short intervals of time. It can be a slight movement or lying on the bed with open eyes. It's when your baby feels difficulty sleeping.
3. At what age should I start making my baby's sleep routine?
You can start building your baby's sleep routine right after his/her third month.
Takeaway
Building a sleep routine that works for you and your baby will take time. In the beginning, your baby will have trouble abiding by that routine and falling asleep, but with time they will soon get used to it, and hopefully so will you.
In the end, it comes down to every individual baby. Again, It may take some time for you to find something that works for you and your child. If a fair amount of time passes and you are still concerned with your baby’s sleeping routine it doesn't hurt to consult a doctor.
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