If your baby doesn't want to sleep, there can be various reasons. We have put together some tips that can help.
Although babies need a lot of sleep, many people find it difficult. But where does that come from? And what can completely tired parents do to help their baby learn to fall asleep and stay asleep better?
Also read:
In the first weeks and months of life, all newborns have a very high need for sleep, which is between 16 and 18 hours. However, the individual sleep periods are very individual, which can give parents the impression that their baby hardly sleeps at all. But be reassured if your child is one of those who wakes up frequently. This is almost always normal.
Babies sleep differently than adults. While we go to bed exhausted and tired in the evening after too little sleep and can often sleep soundly, too little sleep during the day can unfortunately also keep babies awake at night.
So what can you do if the baby won't sleep?
How much sleep does a baby need?
Newbornsneed 16 to 18 hours of sleep in a day. However, they do not yet have a sleep rhythm and do not differentiate between day and night. This means that they sleep (only) one to three hours at a time, both during the day and at night. Newborns don't really sleep deeply yet. The nights can be extremely restless in the first few weeks.
Like babies3 Funalt, They need around 14 to 15 hours of sleep a day. This now also includes longer nighttime sleep phases of five or more hours. Even at three months old, it is completely normal for babies to wake up several times during the night, for example to drink. Breastfeeding usually proves to be a great aid to falling asleep. It is important that it is best not to turn on a light when your offspring wakes up in the night.
Between that4th to 6th monthBabies sleep on average 13 to 14 hours. Many people take a quick nap in the morning and one in the afternoon, so they get about three hours of sleep during the day and the rest at night. However, sleeping through the night is often out of the question. For example, a growth spurt during this time can cause them to wake up every hour at night. Full diapers and hunger at night are also common reasons for waking up.
Also read:
Are babies approximately7 Funold, they are physically able to sleep through the night. You no longer necessarily need something to eat at night. However, many people still wake up and can quickly be put back to sleep by breastfeeding or feeding. During the day, babies either sleep briefly again in the morning and once in the afternoon. However, it can be a relief for mom and dad to get them used to a longer nap. Because this also gives parents the opportunity to lie down themselves.
Also read about this:
Babies need arounda yearstill 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day. However, many of them have developed a good rhythm at this age. This means that they sleep once a day, for example at lunchtime, and sometimes they sleep through the night. However, that doesn't mean that mom and dad can put them to bed at 8 p.m. and get them up at 8 a.m. the next day. Many children like to wake up around 5 or 6 a.m. around the age of one (and beyond).
Also read:
Until5th year of lifeMost children need around twelve hours of sleep a day. At this age, many people find it difficult to take an afternoon nap or simply refuse to do so.
Reading tips:
With around6 yearsThey still need ten to twelve hours of sleep. As a rule, this only occurs during nighttime sleep.
After that, the need for sleep develops individually. While some people still like to sleep ten to twelve hours even when they start school, others only need eight or nine. It is important that the offspring is fit during the day.
You can often find parallels between your children's need for sleep and yourself. Anyone who likes to get up early in the morning as a child will also have a child who likes to get up with the sun in the morning.
Possible causes why baby doesn't sleep
Too much excitementa day can lead to your baby not finding rest. What is everyday life for us, such as shopping in the supermarket or visiting grandma and grandpa, can be overwhelming for your baby. Many impressions mean a lot of stress for the child. Everything has to be processed first. And that’s what babies and small children do in their sleep. It is not unusual for them to startle again and again or to be restless when they have just fallen asleep.
Too little sleepUnfortunately, this often leads to even less sleep. If you want your baby to sleep well and peacefully at night, you should also ensure there is enough rest and opportunities to sleep during the day. An over-excited and over-stimulated child will not find peace.
Lack of (physical) closenesscan also keep a baby awake. During the pregnancy, she heard mom's heartbeat constantly. Mom was the safe haven that she left in a sense when she was born.
So if you put a baby to sleep in its crib or stroller, it will lie there alone and without its caregiver. This can make him frightened and crying. This is why children calm down almost immediately as soon as you pick them up or have them lying close to you in bed. Babies need the physical closeness, smell and sounds of their parents to feel safe.
Babies also cannot self-soothe.If your child wakes up and cries, it is his only way of communicating with you. It cannot speak and ask you for help. You have to help him calm down.
That's why you should never let your baby scream and cry until it falls asleep again on its own. Small babies and children do not fall asleep because they have calmed down, but often only because they are so exhausted that they cannot continue screaming.
Reading tips:
A notice:As different and individual as babies and children are, the causes that lead to them not sleeping or sleeping poorly can be just as varied. As parents, pay attention to possible causes of your little one's insomnia and try to avoid them. If you are seriously worried that your child is not sleeping enough or seems very tired during the day and still cannot find rest, talk to your pediatrician about this.
4 tips if your baby doesn't sleep
Only you parents decide what helps your baby sleep and what doesn't. Feel free to listen to advice from us, your parents or friends and try out what suits you and your baby. But don't be discouraged if one tip doesn't help you at all. Then maybe it is someone else who has an impact. The day will come when your offspring will also sleep properly and then you will become the parents who help others whose babies don't sleep.
#1Ritual celebrations
Children love fixed structures and rituals in their lives because then they know what to expect. And that also applies to the little ones. With fixed rituals you can help your baby find his sleep rhythm and prepare for bedtime.
Followed by dinner every night, a diaper change, followed by a story or song, and then going to bed, your child will associate these things. At some point it will know that it is time to sleep.
Also read:
#2Rest in the evening
Following on from this, you should make sure that the evenings are quiet and relaxed. Because no one can easily find their way to dreamland when they are stressed or after a lot of fun. Extended cuddling on the sofa or in bed often works wonders.
#3A bath relaxes the body and mind
An evening bath can help children and babies relax just as much as adults. This isn't a good idea every evening, but perhaps after a particularly hectic or exciting day. But please bathe before dinner.
#4Regular sleep ensures good sleep
Don't succumb to the belief that a missed nap will lead to more sleep at night. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for babies. If you miss a nap or afternoon nap, your baby will be so excited in the evening that it will be difficult for him to fall asleep. And problems falling asleep unfortunately often lead to problems staying asleep.
Important NOTE:The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and do not replace a diagnosis from a doctor. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor or midwife.