One of the most stressful and most often talked about challenges of life as a new parent is baby sleep. Some babies seem to have no trouble at all drifting off into a consistent and easy sleep pattern, but, for most of us, there are going to be some bumps along the way. Here, we’re going to look at some of the most common complaints parents have about their baby’s sleeping patterns, as well as what can often be behind these disruptions and what you should do to respond.
Trouble Falling Asleep
Even if your baby is showing signs that they’re getting sleepy, like rubbing their eyes, yawning, or zoning out, it might seem like they are having trouble actually falling asleep. The transition from wakefulness to sleep is often due to them being a little overstimulated or overtired. Even if they feel sleepy, their body is producing stress hormones, keeping them up. The most effective way to prevent this is to create a great sleeping environment for them, keeping their room dark, using a white noise machine to mimic the sounds of the womb, and establishing a routine to help get them ready to drift off. Avoid skipping naps in the day, as well. It won’t help them sleep deeper at night, it’s more likely to make them overtired.
Frequent Nighttime Awakenings
If your baby is waking up at night and struggling to get back to sleep, it can be due to a few things. Babies do typically stir between sleep cycles and might need a little comfort to help them get back to sleep. Run down the list of why this might be happening. If they’re hungry, they might need feeding. If they’re uncomfortable, then you may want to try swaddling them. Some babies have trouble self-soothing, and you can often calm them without picking them up, such as by using a calming voice to help them drift off. Of course, it’s also important to rule out any physical discomfort. Make sure the baby isn’t too hot or cold, that their diaper is clean, and that teething or illness isn’t the culprit. If they are teething, investing in a teething ring or some cooling gel for their gums can help.
Waking Up Too Early
If you have a baby, then you’re likely going to be rising earlier than you would if you were alone. However, if your baby keeps waking up too early, like around 4 or 5 am and simply won’t go back to sleep, then there are a variety of strategies you can try. Their room might get too bright in the mornings, which can be helped with the use of blackout blinds. Otherwise, a little adjustment to their schedule, like starting their bedtime routine a little later or even earlier, can help them sleep for longer. Feeding your baby a little closer to the morning waking time may also help stretch their sleep a bit longer.
Sleep Regressions
Just when it seems like you might finally be getting the hang of things, your baby can take a step back and catch you off guard. Sleep regressions usually happen in tandem with brain development, so they can be predictable, happening around 4 months, 8 months, and sometimes again around 12 or 18 months. This often coincides with developmental milestones, like learning to roll, crawl, or talk. These can be frustrating, but they are a normal part of your baby growing up, and they typically pass in a few weeks. Try to keep their sleep routine consistent, but offer a little extra comfort when they need it.
Having A Difficult Time Waking Up
Most babies are a little groggy when they first wake up. However, if your infant has a very hard time waking up in the morning, and it’s a consistent issue, then this may be a symptom that you shouldn’t ignore. Excessive sleepiness, such as them being difficult to rouse or continuing to be lethargic and constantly sleepy throughout the day, could be the sign of a host of issues, like low iron levels or difficulties breathing during sleep. It may be nothing, but it’s better to get them checked out to tackle any potential problems.
There is a plethora of facts that can affect your baby’s sleep, in reality, and sometimes a little troubleshooting is necessary to find the right solution. However, the tips above can help you get started in the right direction, beginning with the most likely solutions based on the specific issues you’re seeing.
