Safe And Positive Sleep Habits For Newborns

The challenges of helping newborns develop good sleeping habits face many new parents

. Establishing these night time routines should begin as early as possible and involves a few key factors. Parents of newborns need to understand safe sleeping positions, feeding needs and burping, and ways to promote day and night time differences for their infants.

The first few weeks of life outside the womb are often filled with erratic schedules of feeding, changing, and sometimes sleeping. Sleep is such an important factor for parents facing the new challenges with newborns, and beginning early with safe, positive sleeping methods is ideal. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be placed on their backs to sleep, with the simple reminder phrase of "back to sleep." This guideline is for safety reasons, as recent research shows that it can help reduce the risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Parents should also make sure the crib or bassinette is free of loose blankets and toys. While some babies will not prefer to sleep on their backs, it is the safest position for most babies and they will eventually grow accustomed to this position. Placing the baby in the crib when he or she is drowsy and not yet fully asleep will also help to encourage the infant to fall asleep on his or her own. It is always advised to speak with the infant's pediatrician to determine the best sleeping position, as some premature infants or those with other health conditions might require special positioning during sleep.

Besides sleep, one of the most prevalent activities for babies is eating. Newborns will often eat every 2-4 hours, and much of that depends upon whether they are breastfed or bottle fed. These times will fluctuate and as they get older usually lengthen in time between feedings, but even a 3 month old might breastfeed as often as every 4-6 hours during the day and 4-8 hours during the night. Babies will often have their own ways of letting parents know they need to eat, but moms and dads should also speak with their pediatricians about what is right for their babies' nutritional needs. Infants also need to be burped after each feeding and parents can experiment with various positions to find those that work best for their children. Some infants burp best at the parent's shoulder, while others prefer to sit on a parent's lap and be supported on his or her forearm, and for some it works best to be draped over the parent's forearm, in what is sometimes called the football carry position. Infants sometimes will fall asleep while eating and not seem to be awake enough to burp. Parents can give gentle pats on the back or light belly rubs to help encourage burping. Getting on or two good burps at night is important before placing the baby back to sleep, as this will help the baby sleep better.

While learning about their babies? sleep positions and nutritional needs parents also need to pay attention to differentiating between day and night routines. Keeping the home dark and quiet at night can help establish night as a time of rest. Parents can still respond to all of the needs of their infants, but should not be speaking loudly, have playtime during the night, turn on bright interior lights, or watch television or do other distracting activities. Night lights can be used to see what is needed but will still leave the home dark enough to signal night time hours. Day time hours can be used for plenty of singing, playing, and interacting with the newborn.

Effective sleep habits can be developed by addressing several areas of the infant?s life. Parents should focus on safe sleeping positions, appropriate feeding schedules, trying various burping techniques, and encouraging night time awareness. Time and patience will be needed, but the rewards will be worth the investments.

by: Charles Murray

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