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After the initial joy and excitement at
seeing your newborn has slowly worn off, it does not take too long
before reality kicks in and sleep-deprived parents start wishing their
baby will grow up overnight.
The problem lies in the fact that most newborns have yet to adjust
their circadian rhythm (sleep clock). As a result, they have no
understanding of day and night and will sleep all day, only to wake up
and play at 2 a.m.! The good news is this does not last long, and your
baby should be sleeping and waking at the right time of day as he
approaches his second month.
In the time frame of 24 hours, most babies can have a wakeful period of
between 6 to 10 hours. Some babies seem to need less sleep than others
so you need not worry about your baby as long as he is growing well.
Growing Overnight
One important point to remember is babies
need their sleep in order to grow. When they are asleep, the energy
that is used to eat, play and learn is all being channeled to their
body cells instead. Studies have shown that tabbies who sleep well put
on more weight than babies who do now get sufficient sleep.
Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleeps Better
1. Establish sleep routines such as
sharing a cuddle, turning on a same soothing lullaby or rubbing your
baby’s back at bedtime. Over time, your baby will learn to identify
these as cues to close his eyes and go to his slumber land.
2. Help your baby to differentiate between day and night feeds by
making the day feeds sociable – you may talk or play with him – while
you keep the night feeds quiet and uneventful.
Cultivating Good Baby Sleeping Habits
1. A sleepless baby equals a sleepless
mummy. Therefore, it is advisable to get your baby into good sleeping
habits early.
2. Many babies like to fall asleep while feeding at the breast or
bottle, which makes it impossible for them to fall asleep on their own
later on.
3. Try getting your baby to sleep while he is still awake but already
drowsy so that he can learn to nod off by himself. Pat him gently or
sing him a lullaby until he dozes off. The earlier he gets used to
this, the better.
4. Put your baby to sleep at the same place and time daily and
establish some routines, such as having a bath, changing into pajamas
and darken the room before sleep.
Sleep Safety
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or
cot death is a major concern for parents. Researchers and scientists
are still unable to pinpoint the cause of cot death. What we know is
that it can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions:
* Put your baby on his side or back to sleep
* Avoid pillows and duvets during the first year, and keep your baby’s
head uncovered
* Use a few layers of light blankets instead of one thick layer. This
way, you can remove or add on layers when needed
* Special sleeping apparatus can secure your baby to one spot so that
you need not worry about him slipping off the bed or beneath the covers
* Check that his bedroom is at the right temperature by feeling the
back of his neck or his stomach with the back of your hand
* Mattresses should be firm so that your baby does not sink into the
folds and risk suffocation. Avoid using water beds for children under
five years of age
* Avoid sharing your bed with your baby if you or your partner has been
drinking alcohol, is under medication or is extremely tired
* Never smoke near your baby as the second-hand smoke can increase the
risk of cot death
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