How to Prevent Sleep Deprivation in Babies
Adults expect to lose sleep when there is a baby in the house. It can be irritating, but parents learn to handle a little sleep deprivation. However, sleep is vital for your baby's health and well-being. According to Dr. Lynn D'Andrea, chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, sleep is the time when your infant's brain is most active. Losing sleep can affect your baby̵7;s development.
Instructions
Recognize your infant̵7;s sleep patterns. In first few months of life, your newborn will have little control over her sleep and wake patterns. Generally, newborns sleep about 8 or 9 hours during the day and about 8 hour at night. Most newborns will be awake and active for only about half an hour before getting ready for more sleep. Watching for signs that your baby is tired tells you when to lay your baby in a safe position conducive to good sleep, such as a crib or bassinet. Some signs of sleepiness are eye rubbing, fussiness or looking away from people and ignoring other stimuli. Keep track of times when your baby is alert and times when she sleeps. Keep your baby active during the day. Babies don̵7;t come into the world understanding the difference between day and night. Parents teach these cycles through action. Play with your baby during daytime periods of alertness. When he starts to show signs he is tired and ready for rest, put him down for a nap. Remain quiet at night. (REF. 3) When your child wakes at night, tend to her needs, but stay quiet and subdued. Don̵7;t play games with her or stimulate her. Keep lights low. Keep a small lamp handy so you don̵7;t need to turn on the overhead light in the room. Keep your voice low. Not only does this teach your baby that night is time for rest, but it also prevents you from waking other people in the household. Establish sleeping routines. As you look at your child̵7;s sleeping and waking times, a general pattern will emerge. There will be times when he consistently wakes and other times when he often shows signs of sleepiness. Plan a schedule that works for your baby and then stick to it. Put him down for sleep at scheduled times, even if he isn̵7;t showing signs of sleepiness. As he matures, revisit the schedule. He will sleep fewer times, but for longer periods with longer alert and wakeful times during the day. Create a restful nighttime routine. This prepares the baby for nighttime sleep and separates the behavior from a daytime nap. Your routine might include a warm, relaxing bath, a bottle and then prayers, a song or a story. Resist rocking your baby until she is asleep. Instead, put your baby in bed while she is still awake. This teaches her that her bed is the proper place to fall asleep.
