My baby is not sleeping: what can I do?
You are not alone. Many parents know the problem: the baby does not want to sleep. It is a common phenomenon and can have various reasons. Of course, it helps to understand baby sleep better. Here are some explanations and tips that can help you provide better sleep for your baby.
Content
- Everyday life overwhelms your baby?
- The baby's sleep rhythm
- The right sleeping environment - the right baby bed
- Enough activity during waking hours
- The right sleeping temperature for babies
- Baby sleeping bag
- Conclusion
What can I do, so that my baby sleeps better?
1. Everyday life overwhelms your baby?
Babies are little explorers. They perceive their environment intensively and learn something new every day. This can quickly become overwhelming. Therefore, try to make your baby's daily routine as calm and structured as possible. A fixed daily routine with fixed bedtimes, not too long walks, can help to regulate the sleep rhythm of the baby.
2 The baby's sleep rhythm
Sleep is a complex issue that challenges many parents. In the first months of life, babies do not yet have a set sleep-wake rhythm; they sleep and wake at irregular intervals. It is important to understand that babies have a different sleep cycle than adults during the first weeks and months of their lives. They spend more time in REM sleep, which is necessary for brain growth and development. Therefore, it is normal for babies to wake up often.
Although many babies sleep between 17 to 20 hours a day, others may need far less. A baby's sleep needs vary by age. Here's a little overview of sleep needs for you:
- 0-3 months: 14-17 hours of sleep per day.
- 3-6 months: 12-15 hours of sleep per day
- 6-9 months: 12-14 hours of sleep per day
- 9-24 months: 11-14 hours of sleep per day.
However, over time they develop a more regular sleep cycle. It is helpful to create a consistent sleep environment and routine to help the baby develop a healthy sleep-wake cycle. This can include always putting the baby in the crib at the same time, establishing calming sleep rituals, and making sure the sleep environment is quiet and comfortable.
3. The right sleep environment - the right baby crib.
The sleep environment plays a big role in the quality of your baby's sleep. A quiet, darkened room and a comfortable sleeping temperature are important. A baby c rib with a good baby mattress can also help your baby sleep better. A canopy for the baby c rib can help to visually separate the bed, giving your baby a sense of security.
More about the baby crib in the following article: The baby crib guide: safe & restful sleep.
4. Enough activity during waking hours
Movement is important for your baby's development. It helps strengthen the body and develop motor skills. A Pikler Triangle can be a great way to keep your baby busy while giving him or her a chance to let off steam. This way, after playing, he will be tired and may fall asleep better.
RICKI RACKA®
Pikler Triangle with slide
5. Right sleeping temperature for baby
The ideal sleeping temperature for your baby is around 18-20 degrees Celsius. In summer, a bodysuit is enough, while in winter, a sleeping bag baby winter is suitable. Make sure that the baby sleeping bag is not too warm in winter to avoid overheating.
The baby mattress should be firm and well ventilated. A baby mattress 70x140 or baby mattress 60x120 is usually a good choice. Avoid extra blankets or pillows in the baby's bed, as they can increase the temperature.
Feel your baby's temperature on the neck or chest. The skin should be warm, but not hot. Pay attention to your baby's signals and adjust clothing and room temperature accordingly.
6. Baby sleeping bag
A baby sleeping bag can be a good alternative to a traditional blanket. It keeps your baby warm and prevents him from pulling the blanket over his head. There are different models for summer and winter, so your baby will always have the right temperature. But can the baby turn around in the sleeping bag? Yes, it is possible and it is not a problem. It is important that the sleeping bag is the right size and not too big. So your baby can not get tangled in it.
7.Conclusion
There are many reasons why your baby does not want to sleep. The important thing is to stay calm and try different things. Every baby is different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Don't give up and remember: this phase will also pass.