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Sleeping
and Waking at Odd Hours
My baby is an early
riser
Sometimes you do not know which is
worse – a baby who wakes up at night or one that stirs at the crack of
dawn. The latter situation is probably more painful because the baby is
unlikely to go back to sleep as she is ready to start her day.
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In situations like this, it may help
to keep her room dark so that the early morning light does not wake her.
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Try to keep her in a room where there
is likely to be less noise.
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Try and keep her awake later at night
and dissuade her from falling asleep an hour or two after she wakes up
in the morning.
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Try to see that she does not sleep too
much in the day, but make sure that she does not get too tired from lack
of sleep.
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Help your baby to amuse herself in bed.
Hang a mobile over her cot and keep some interesting toys within arms reach.
Let your baby chatter to herself. Only go to her when she shows signs of
getting upset.
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Postpone her breakfast hour so that
she is less likely to wake up early for it.
Babies who sleep
through meals
Some babies seem more interested
in sleeping than eating. If your baby has a tendency to sleep through mealtimes
or to doze off while nursing, you should attempt to rouse her gently before
feeding. You can do this by changing her position, tickling her feet, removing
swaddling clothes, etc. If this does not work, let her sleep, but see to
it that there is no more than a five hour gap between her meals. Do not
establish a pattern where your baby nips and naps at fifteen to thirty
minute intervals. Do whatever it takes to rouse her and ensure that she
has a full meal before she goes to sleep again.
What can I do to help
my baby sleep
Sleeping in a cot may be quite a
strange experience for your baby. She has just had nine months of the closest
contact in your womb. The surface of a cot may seem like a vast expanse
to her. Babies may find it easier to sleep in the snugger environs of a
cradle or a basket for the first few months. To add to her sense of security
you can swaddle the baby and tuck her in snugly. Ensure that your baby
is not too hot or too cold. Rocking, patting and swaying should help her
sleep. The baby might find it difficult to fall asleep without some soothing
sounds in the background like the hum of the fan or the strains of a radio
playing softly.
Establish a regular bedtime routine
and ensure that your baby gets enough rest during the day. Preventing her
from sleeping in the day to increase the likelihood of her sleeping through
the night may backfire. This is because an overtired baby tends to sleep
more fitfully than a well-rested one. It may help to keep your baby in
a separate room sometimes, but close enough so that you can hear her if
she wakes up. This is to prevent your tendency to pick her up at the slightest
whimper, thus breaking her sleep.
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