In the first months, the baby should be helped to adjust the day and night rhythm. Leaving him in bed and letting him sleep on his own in the first months will eliminate the need to put him to sleep in different ways. The goal is for him to sleep through the night and stay awake as much as possible during the day. A special order should be created for the night. Bathing, putting on pajamas, singing, cuddling, breastfeeding can separate night from day. The baby should breastfeed regularly during the day and just before going to bed at night. This way, he will sleep uninterrupted throughout the night. If he does not sleep in the first month, he is mostly hungry, his bottom is dirty, and after 2 weeks he may be gassy. Other than that, the child who is left to bed can sleep.
Babies between 1-4 months are now fed in meals at regular intervals rather than every time they cry. . In addition, gas pains have started due to nutrition and digestion. Digestive problems and gas pains will continue for 2 weeks to 4-6 months. Feeding intervals should now be approximately 3 hours. In the first months, it is normal for him to wake up at night to feed. But this is only waking up for feeding, and after feeding, it goes back to sleep. The baby whose sleep routine is maintained will not have any problems during this period. However, if you continue to feed every time you cry, frequent feeding problems will be added to natural gas pains. This will deal a blow to your sleep pattern. It is better to comfort him in his bed and try to put him to sleep instead of feeding him every time he cries. When sleep and nutrition patterns cannot be maintained, there will be a period when wrong habits begin to take hold. When the baby starts to be fed when he cries, and when he starts to be rocked and carried around unless he sleeps, he will naturally acquire wrong teachings. This is a good time to teach yourself to sleep. He has started to give messages that he is feeling sleepy. He may start whining, pulling his ears, and rubbing his eyes with his hands. Helpful suggestions include putting him in his bed when he is sleepy, talking to him in a soft voice, stroking his hair and back with your hands, playing light music, and running a mobile on his bed.
Babies between 4-6 months sleep as much as they need. 1-2 hours after feeding is sufficient. As they grow up, members of the family adapt They can linger in their beds until they are called. They can sleep for 6 hours without feeding. The baby who is put to sleep after feeding in the evening can sleep uninterruptedly until the morning without waking up. At most, you can feed him once at night, without waking him up much. He can now go through periods of deep and light sleep without interruption. During periods of light sleep, remember that he is still sleeping, even though he may move in bed, make sounds, or turn over. Keep in mind that you may wake up easily during this period. If you start taking care of him right away because he's making a noise, you can really wake him up. Or if you try to feed him just because he is hungry, you will disrupt the order yourself. Mistakes made will be accepted as natural by the baby and will become habits. In general, it is recommended to separate the rooms of babies between 1-12 months. The slightest movement will wake you up, and even the slightest crackle may wake up the baby, thus reducing sleep quality.
Going to bed late often leads to late waking in the morning. However, babies should go to bed early and wake up early. In this way, a distinction can be made between night sleep and daytime sleep.
Babies between 6-12 months get used to the day and night routine. Even if they sleep during the dark hours, they may wake up 1-6 times. They usually sleep 1-2 hours in the morning and afternoon. They no longer sleep immediately after meals, they may want to play games. During this period, they may be disturbed by noise and arguments. Fear of separation from parents may develop at night, this situation is temporary. If a baby who wakes up crying at night is put back to sleep, his sleep will be in order within 1 week. During these months, the baby begins to control his sleep and wakefulness. Even if he is sleepy, he may resist going to bed and sleeping until he is very tired.
Safe sleep principles:
- Smoking should not be allowed in the house where the baby is present,
- The baby should be kept warm, but the temperature of the sleeping environment should be 22-26 C,
- The bed is semi-orthopedic,
- Stuffed and feathered toys should not be kept in the bedroom due to the risk of allergies,
- Electric lamps and electric toys should be kept away from the baby,
- Pacifiers should preferably not be used, if used, they should be cut off between the ages of 1-1.5, they should not have long laces,
- The bed should not be placed near a window. of the edge
- The baby should not be shaken,
- Animals should not be kept near the baby,
- There should not be any loud and moving toys on the bed,
- If possible, the baby should be diapered at night. should not be changed (except for excessive pooping),
- Parents should not sleep in the same bed with their baby.
HOW SHOULD THE SLEEP HABIT BE INSTALLED?
In the first months, parents should adjust the sleeping habits of their babies.
1. Stage; is the regulation of daytime sleep time and play hours. The aim is to ensure that the baby gets used to and loves his room when he is awake and it is bright. For this, it should be played in his room.
2. Stage: Before starting the night application, the patient should be accustomed to the situation by lying in his/her own bed during the daytime for 1-2 weeks. If necessary, the baby should not be left alone by lying down with him or sitting next to him for 2-3 days, soothing and calming him down.
3. Stage;mother or father should sleep together in the baby's room. You should sleep on the floor or another bed in your child's room for up to 3 nights, then sleep in your own room, come from time to time and make him/her sleep in his/her room, not take him/her into your own bed.
MEDICAL REASONS THAT MAY CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEMS IN BABIES
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Ear infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Teething
- Colic
- Night terror
Read: 0
