Sleeping and Waking at Odd Hours

Babies generally do not have a fixed sleeping pattern. All babies have different patterns of sleep. Setting a bedtime routine is important in getting baby to sleep. Here are some tips. In this articleMy baby is an early riserBabies who sleep through mealsWhat can I do to help my baby sleepMy 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. In situations like this, it may help to keep her room dark so that the early morning light does not wake her. Try to keep her in a room where there is likely to be less noise. 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. 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. 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. 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.