Begin Early When Creating Bed Time Routines With Newborns

The sleep habits of newborns are often the source of concern and frustration for many new parents

. Just as babies grow and change in size, ability, and personality, so will their sleeping patterns. There are several things parents can do to encourage their babies to establish consistent sleep patterns that will eventuate into nights of peaceful slumber.

Parents of newborns are often short on sleep themselves, as very young infants often will not sleep for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time, some even less. Nutritional needs to nurse or have a bottle every few hours interrupt prolonged periods of rest. It is important that parents of newborns discuss with their pediatricians the appropriate feeding schedules for their babies, as there are unique situations, such as with premature babies, which might mean shorter times between feedings. In many newborns, sleeping for more than 4 hours at a time just does not happen.

Newborns often also do not have any concept of the differences between day and night, much to the exhaustion of the parents. It can take several weeks for newborns to alter their periods of deep sleep to nighttime hours. Even during these night time hours, many newborns will only sleep for 2 to 4 hours at a time.

Another key factor for establishing positive sleeping habits is for parents to begin providing bed time routines. Even sponge baths, quiet story times, or lullabies while rocking are good calming activities before bed. Parents should make sure the crib or cradle is free of any toys or unsafe, loose materials or extra blankets, and that this place is reserved for sleeping. Part of a good bed time routine includes establishing where night time sleeping happens and will help encourage healthy sleep habits for infants.

Newborns will also wake during the night when they are uncomfortable, either because of a wet diaper or perhaps gas in the stomach. During these waking times at night, parents should try to interact quietly with their babies, while keeping it as dark as possible. Using night lights or dimmer switches can help to give enough light by which to change a diaper without rousing the newborn too much. It is a good idea when newborns wake at night to change diapers, then either breast or bottle feed, and remember to burp the baby, even when she appears to be falling back to sleep.

Parents of newborns might fear that cuddling and holding their newborns at night will cause them to develop poor sleep habits. During these first weeks, however, newborns actually need this physical contact as much as having other basic needs met. Close, physical comfort can foster calmer babies, so when newborns have been fed, changed, and burped, sometimes all that is needed is extra snuggle time.

Stories of newborns who sleep soundly at night should not discourage parents if their own infant does not. These are not typical situations, and often these sleeping scenarios do not continue. Newborns grow and change, as will their sleeping routines. Nutritional and emotional needs, and issues such as teething and first colds, will affect the sleeping routines of babies. Establishing quiet nighttime routines that begin with consistent bed time routines can be an effective way to help newborns create sleeping habits that will provide long periods of peaceful rest at night.

by: Charles Murray

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