How to Make Your Newborn Baby Sleep Better

Parents usually have to endue sleep deprivation for several months before their newborn baby establishes a regular sleep pattern. This may result in extreme exhaustion for the parents and lead to irritability of the child as well. This article offers insights on how to make your little one sleep through the night.The sleeping patterns of a newborn baby are usually completely out of consonance with those of the parent(s) since infants wake up for several reasons during the course of the night. The reasons may range from hunger and dehydration to uneasiness due to a wet diaper. Sometimes the infant may wake up for no apparent reason. Initially parents may bear through this sleep deprivation with a straight face, but prolonged interruption during sleep may lead to strained relationships as both parents remain exhausted throughout the day. The following is a summary of some of the best tips from sleep therapists and experienced mothers.
First, a common myth needs to be debunked. Parents assume that an early bedtime for the newborn baby is synonymous with a child waking up early, say 3 am, and going into a bout of crying. The “early to bed early to rise”, phenomenon does not apply to infants. The later they are put to bed, the more tired they are and it is difficult for them to fall asleep in an exhausted state. Hence, the result is frequent wake-up calls at nighttime. Parents need to put their infant to sleep in a dark room between 6 and 8 pm to help the child achieve restful sleep.
Further, by nursing frequently during the day, you can ensure the newborn baby is fully fed to prevent “nibbling habits” that interfere with sleep during the night. By ensuring the tummy is full by bedtime, the need to demand food during the night is substantially reduced.
Babies who want to nurse repeatedly through the night may not just be hungry they may also be yearning for their mother’s touch and to ease their anxiety. This anxiety results in the need to feel the presence of their mother. One solution to address this insecurity is to sleep with the infant and comfort him/her by placing your hand on his/her tummy to acknowledge and comfort. However, some parents are reluctant to introduce a newborn baby to their bed for fear of smothering him/her. In such cases, Kangaroo Mother Care can be practiced right before the child is put to bed. To give the mother a break, father’s can also hold the child against their body. This not only allows the infant to get plenty of sleep, but also strengthens the family bond.
Parents can also establish a routine by varying their response at night. Some parents are so over enthusiastic to indulge their newborn baby that they fail to inculcate the difference between day and night. By encouraging nighttime activity, the newborn baby actually looks forward to the attention. Hence by varying your response, parents may reduce the “reward” and force the infant to sleep during the night and enjoy his parents love during the daytime.
On a general note, it is essential to watch out for other sources of disturbance. Interruptions at night may indicate an underlying illness or something as simple as irritating clothing. Being a parent also involves having an open mind to explore creative options. Every newborn baby is unique and needs to be treated differently.