How to help your baby sleep is a question all parents ask themselves. Every baby learns to sleep and distinguish between day and night at a different pace. So, how can we help our baby sleep? The first thing we need to do is not compare one baby to another. Just as two babies grow at different rates, learning to sleep, talk, or walk will also be different.
How can you help your baby sleep?
First, we should help him distinguish between day and night. During the day, we should let natural light fill the house. Play with him, go for walks... And at night, we should:
- Try to use dim lighting at home.
- Speak in a soft, calm voice.
- Put the baby to sleep after feeding and changing their diaper.
- Do not change their position while they are sleeping (unless necessary).
- Do not play too much at night before going to bed (this will make them very active and make it harder for them to fall asleep).
- Establish the same routine every day: give them a bath, apply lotion, read them a story, etc.
By following these simple steps, you will be able to differentiate between day and night.
Where should the baby sleep?
During the first few months, it is recommended that the baby sleep in the same room as the parents. This is especially true during the first few weeks, when the baby may only fall asleep when held in your arms.
Newborns sleep in short periods, both day and night. You should take this into account when adjusting your own sleep schedule.
How does a sleep routine help babies sleep?
Around 3 months is the perfect time to start a sleep routine. In addition, a sleep routine will help your baby differentiate between day and night. It can consist of:
- A warm bath
- Changing clothes and diapers
- Brush your teeth (when you have them)
- Put them to bed
- Read a story in a soft voice
- Good night, with love and hugs.
As our baby gets older, we can include more activities in their sleep routine, as long as they are calm and relaxed. For example, we can let them choose their favorite bedtime story, a coloring page, etc.
How many hours of sleep does a baby need?
Just as every adult needs a different number of hours of sleep, the same is true for babies. In general terms, we can say that:
- Newborns: They spend more time asleep than awake. They can sleep for 16 to 18 hours. They may wake up at night because they need to feed or because they are too cold or too hot.
- 3-6 months: Small changes begin to be noticeable. Some babies may sleep for 8 hours straight (but not all).
- 6-12 months: They do not need to feed as much in the middle of the night. They can sleep for more than 10 hours. Their teeth begin to come in, which can affect their sleep.
- From 12 months: Babies can sleep 12-15 hours. When they are around 2 years old, they will sleep 11-12 hours.
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