Need Help Getting Baby to Sleep? 7 Ways to Get Your Baby on a Sleep Schedule. |
By :
Patrice Cosier
Not only is a proper and regular sleep schedule vitally important for your baby’s health, it also improves mood, function and physical development. Here are five major benefits that regular and sound sleep offer your child:
1. It helps your baby grow strong and develop quick reactions and coordination: studies show that babies who get regular sleep have improved reaction time, better reflexes and even better use of oxygen.
2. It helps keep baby’s mood even and happy: obviously, babies get cranky and cry longer and more often when they are tired, and if they are sleep deprived, or on an irregular schedule, they can be very challenging to deal with.
3. It helps with memory function and development: Dr. Nilesh Dave, medical director of the Sleep Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center says "During sleep, your brain will process a lot and turn it into long-term memory," he says. "Memory is a function of what we think sleep does."
4. It keeps baby from falling asleep at times that are not part of the planned schedule: I’m sure every parent has experienced times when their baby fell asleep in the car, or while out somewhere, only to have the baby wake up irritable and still tired. If a baby is well rested, and if the parents plan their activities to accommodate baby’s established sleep schedule, then more often than not, the baby will stay awake in the car, etc, because it’s during the established non - sleep time.
5. It keeps baby’s hormones balanced: Our bodies use sleep to release certain hormones, Dr. Davé says, including those essential for growth and development.
So, if sleep is so important, how do you ensure that your baby gets enough sleep? Getting baby to sleep does not have to be difficult. Here are some basics that might help:
1. Establish a bedtime routine: This helps your baby settle down, (and helps adults wind down after a long day as well). Allocate about thirty minutes before baby’s bedtime to soothe and relax your child. Read, sing or play lullabies, or just sit quietly in a rocking chair, holding your baby.
2. Only put your baby down when it’s time for sleep: Using the baby’s bed for anything other than sleep gives the child confusing messages about what the bed/ or bedtime really means. If it is clear to the baby that the bed is for sleeping, the chances of the baby settling down are better.
3. Make the baby’s bedroom dark, comfortable and quiet: limit distractions.
4. Don’t play actively with your baby before bedtime: this can over stimulate the baby and make it more difficult to calm down in time for the scheduled bedtime.
5. Stick with the schedule: babies very easily can get off schedule, and it can play havoc with their mood and with their health.
6. Calm and soothe yourself and your baby: take some deep breaths. Your baby will pick up on your own relaxed state and this will help you both get quiet and peaceful.
7. Know when to seek help: talk to your baby’s pediatrician for more ideas for establishing a regular sleep schedule for your baby.
I might add that getting baby to sleep and on a regular sleep schedule is important for the baby’s parents as well, for all of the above reasons. Everyone benefits from a regular sleep schedule! Lull your baby into a deep, peaceful sleep so you can get the rest you deserve. Compose Patrice Cosier has blended lullaby style and form with relaxation techniques in her uniquely beautiful CD of original lullabies, "Good Night Lullabies." Get two free lullabies at http://www.goodnightlullaby.com
Lull your baby into a deep, peaceful sleep so you can get the rest you deserve. Compose Patrice Cosier has blended lullaby style and form with relaxation techniques in her uniquely beautiful CD of original lullabies, "Good Night Lullabies." Get two free lullabies at http://www.goodnightlullaby.com
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Submitted on: 2008-12-08
Submitted on: 2008-12-08
