New born babies sleep 16 hours within a day. But they don't sleep
continuously. They sleep for a few hours, wake up, get fed, stay awake
for a little time and then back to sleep. They have no idea of day and
night until they're several months old. There are several reasons for
waking up intermittently and sleeping for short intervals. The baby's
stomach is still small and gets filled fast, especially if you are
breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is easier to digest and the baby will get
hungry faster. Once they get hungry, they will wake up and expect to be
fed again. This routine may go on for several months and should change
as the baby grows older. Here are some time estimates of how long the
baby should be awake and sleeping daily. It may help you adjust your
schedules accordingly.
Some studies show that babies have a
shorter sleep and dream cycle than adults. This means there the baby
will wake up often but will go back to sleep eventually. New born babies
should get 8 to 9 hours of sleep during the day and similarly during
the night. These are definitely not a continuous 8 to 9 hours. But
theoretically, the total sleep time during the day should approximate 8
to 9 hours and a similar number of hours during the night. Noticeably,
sleep time is fairly short at the beginning.
When the baby reaches
2 years old, the sleep time should be about 13-14 hours daily as
compared to the previous 16-18 hours when the baby was newly born. The
baby requires less sleep time as they grow older. As this happens, you
should try to get them accustomed to staying awake more often during the
day and consume more of the sleep time at night. Try giving the baby
short naps during the day. Avoid giving them naps in the late afternoon
as it will be harder putting them to sleep at night.
Give them some
activity during the day so they are kept busy. Providing them with toys
and strolling around the garden are two joyful activities that will keep
them entertained.
Bathe them early in the evening and feed them
afterwards. That will make them feel fresh and satisfied and ready for
bed. You can play with the baby for a short while as this may be your
bonding time with the child after a hectic day at the office. It may
also be the time for them to expend their remaining energy. A tired
child will sleep throughout the night. Provide the right atmosphere for
them to sleep. Put some mood music to lull them to sleep. Put a night
light on so they will not be worried about the darkness. A night light
will also help you find your way around the room if needed. You can read
them a story and slowly lower your voice after several minutes to bring
a calm and tranquil effect into the room. The sound of your voice will
make the child feel safe and secure enough to fall asleep.
Children might wake up during the night if they experience separation anxieties.
They can get over this problem easily with some guidance and help from
the parents. If the baby wakes up in the evening frequently or refuses
to sleep immediately, this can become a habit-forming behavior. Try
changing your sleep routines. Observe them closely as they might be
experiencing some disorders.
Talk to relatives, friends and specialists
on methods to make the child fall asleep.
Your Baby Is A Healthy Baby
More Baby Health Tips On mylittlebabysite.com [http://mylittlebabysite.com]
More Baby Health Tips On mylittlebabysite.com [http://mylittlebabysite.com]
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