People warn you about the erratic naps, the early mornings, and the restless nights that come with becoming a parent. However, there is a wealth of interesting (and occasionally unexpected) facts regarding infant sleep habits that go beyond the cliche of “sleep when the baby sleeps.” Knowing these facts will ease your life and lessen the anxiety that comes with not knowing what is “normal” if you are expecting or already have a child.
These insights will help you better understand your baby’s sleep needs, whether they are only a week away from a developmental milestone or they are already exhibiting new nightly behaviors. They will also give you the confidence to respond calmly when things don’t go as planned.
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Babies Sleep Lighter Than You May Believe
Although it’s simple to picture infants dozing off, the reality is that their sleep cycles are lighter and shorter than those of adults. With cycles of roughly 50 to 60 minutes, newborns transition between deep sleep and active (REM) sleep considerably more quickly. They experience those lighter sleep periods far more frequently, which is one reason they wake up more frequently.
In fact, less sleep is beneficial to development because it allows the brain to grow and assimilate new information. Therefore, frequent stirring by your infant is not always an indication of a problem, even though it can be annoying.
Sleep Requirements Vary During The First Year
Babies can sleep up to 16–18 hours in a 24-hour period during the first few months of life. That number usually decreases to about 14 hours by the time they are 6 to 9 months old. The problematic element is that sleep requirements vary with growth spurts, teething, illness, and developmental leaps rather than simply decreasing consistently.
You may have a baby that sleeps for eight hours at night one month and wakes up every two hours the next. Although exhausting for parents, this is quite common.
Developmental Leaps Can Disrupt Sleep (Even When Nothing Else Seems “Wrong”)
Even if your infant is healthy and nothing about your routine has changed, you may discover that their sleep patterns abruptly change. New abilities, such as rolling over, crawling, or pulling up to stand, frequently occur at the same time as these interruptions. Their brains are taking in so much new information that it may momentarily alter how often they wake up or how long it takes them to fall sleep.
Separation anxiety, the development of motor skills, and altered nap patterns can all contribute to the 8-Month Sleep Regression: Signs, Causes, and How To Cope, one of the most prevalent disturbances. You can move through these stages more patiently if you realize they are only transitory.
Daytime Sleep Is Just as Important as Nighttime Sleep
It’s easy to believe that your kid will sleep better at night if you keep them up during the day. In actuality, exhausted infants frequently have trouble falling and remaining asleep. Napping throughout the day is essential for mood regulation, brain development, and avoiding overstimulation at night.
Age determines the ideal nap schedule. For instance, an 8-month-old would only require two to three naps a day, whereas a 3-month-old might want four to five. Instead of closely adhering to the clock, the secret is to look for signs of fatigue, such as wiping eyes, gazing off into space, or becoming abnormally fussy.
Not Every Association With Sleep Is “Bad”
Allowing infants to connect sleep with rocking, nursing, or snuggling is discouraged by several sleep training theories. However, these connotations aren’t necessarily bad. Whether they work for your family and your child is the key question.
There is no law that says you have to quit rocking your kid to sleep if you love it and it doesn’t cause constant disturbances. However, if your infant wakes up a lot and needs the same assistance to go back to sleep, you may decide to gradually transition to self-soothing methods.
White Noise Isn’t Just a Trend, It’s Science
Babies are surrounded by sound all the time during their months in the womb, including the pounding of your heartbeat, the muffled rumble of your voice, and the whoosh of blood flow. Most people are unaware of how loud this place is.
This calming background can be replicated by white noise machines, apps, or even a basic fan, which will help newborns sleep cycles more smoothly. Just make sure the source is at least a few feet away from your baby’s sleeping area and that the volume is kept at a safe level (around 50 dB).
Sleep Position Matters For Safety (And Sometimes For Comfort)
By urging parents to place their infants on their backs during every sleep, the “Back to Sleep” campaign significantly decreased the number of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) cases. Until your baby can roll over on their own in both directions, this is still the safest position.
However, some infants have short-term problems, such as positional plagiocephaly, which is characterized by flat patches on the back of the head. This can be avoided without sacrificing safety by having stomach time during the day and switching up head positions as you sleep.
Temporary Setbacks May Occur During Teething
While teething may not always be the cause of a fussy night, some newborns may have trouble falling and staying asleep owing to sensitive gums. As new teeth erupt, the pain frequently returns and might persist for many days at a time.
A cool teething ring or a light gum massage are examples of comfort treatments that can be beneficial. Medicated gels should be avoided unless your pediatrician specifically recommends them.
Sleep Will Continue To Change
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that a baby’s ability to sleep is a process that develops over time. Some babies go to sleep early in the night and wake up months later. Others eventually become reliable sleepers, but it takes them longer to attain that milestone.
You will avoid a great deal of aggravation if you are flexible and have reasonable expectations. The journey can be made much less stressful by keeping track of patterns, comprehending typical disturbances, and keeping in mind that stages don’t endure forever.
