How To Establish A Sleep Routine For Babies
Just like adults, babies are largely guided by their habits. This is even more true when it comes to the baby’s sleep routine.
The first few months of a baby’s life can be difficult for parents, especially when it comes to time to rest.
An excellent solution to this dilemma is to actively establish a sleep routine for babies .
How do you design the baby’s sleep routine?
For the first 4 to 5 months, babies sleep around 16 to 20 hours a day. They do not sleep continuously, but wake up regularly to feed themselves and to feel the contact with their mother, which is very important.
As the months progress, the number of hours the baby needs to sleep gradually decreases. By the age of 9 months, they sleep about 14 hours a day.
To balance the baby’s sleep cycle with that of the rest of the family, we can establish a baby sleep routine that the child will use to adapt.
Habits and repetition also provide the stability the baby needs for healthy development.
Benefits of a sleep routine for babies
A big reason for creating a sleep routine for babies is to be able to tailor the baby’s sleep cycle to suit the rest of the family.
That essentially means sleeping at night and occasionally napping during the day. The latter is very important for babies.
Stability gives the baby more security.
Since babies do not yet understand the concept of space and time, habits tell them that everything is going according to plan. They also feel that someone is always there to protect them.
Habits also make it easier to incorporate new activities. For example, when the baby gets used to it, it will know that it will be bedtime after a meal. Then, if he gets teeth, he can get used to having his teeth brushed before going to bed.
It’s not an easy task, but you can do it with patience and perseverance. The best time to start establishing a sleep routine for babies is between 6 and 8 weeks of age.
The routines that are trained at this age allow your little one to feel more relaxed because the daily routine is predictable.
What should you consider when establishing a sleep routine for babies?
- Give your baby the opportunity to use up their energy playing, walking, or crawling. This makes it easier to fall asleep afterwards.
- Gradually move from active to more sedate activities.
- Baths are an indispensable tool for establishing a sleep routine for babies. The warmth is very relaxing. In addition, the feeling of cleanliness in bed is very pleasant.
- Try to create positive associations. The baby’s sleep routine should be a comfortable activity and not a cause for crying, screaming, or kicking.
- Talk to your baby before bed. You can read stories aloud or just quietly whisper. There is nothing better for babies to go to bed than being in the company of their parents.
This is what a baby’s sleep routine could look like
- Play with your baby and let it get the most out of it.
- Give your baby a warm bath. If the baby doesn’t like this very much, move it to the afternoon.
- Then feed the baby.
- Take the baby to his room. The room should be quiet and as dark as possible to keep stimulation to a minimum.
- Speak to the baby in a whisper. You can tell a bedtime story or sing a lullaby.
- Rock the baby until he falls asleep. If that doesn’t work, you can put the child in the cradle.
While this may not be the final solution for your baby, it is an excellent way to begin establishing your baby’s sleep routine.
This may not work the first time, but over time you will see that it pays off in the long run.
There are other factors to consider such as the baby’s sleeping position and environmental factors (light, temperature, bed comfort, etc.).
You can also use other routines to help your baby fall asleep.
Remember that it is generally important for children to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
It can hardly be too early to establish a sleep routine for babies. All healthy habits can be established with patience and perseverance.
