What Are the Healthy Sleeping Habits in Babies?
Sleep plays a vital role in the development of babies, both mentally and physically. Sleep needs differ from child to child. Bedtime and nap time play a crucial role in the baby's overall growth. It may affect the child's learning abilities and negatively impact the child's emotions. Lack of sleep also affects the physical development of children and causes frequent illness and weight gain issues. Sleep directly affects the activity of the brain. Proper rest during the night helps to stay fresh and energetic throughout the day. Insomnia or lack of adequate sleep may occur at any age, and it is due to the following reasons: depression, anxiety, trauma, life changes, and hormonal changes.
How Many Hours of Sleep Are Good for Kids?
Every child is different, and their need for sleep also varies from child to child. However, the American Society of Pediatrics has given a standard guideline for children's sleep time over 24 hours, including daytime naps and nighttime sleep.
What Are the Tips for Healthy Sleeping Habits?
As discussed above, sleep is crucial in all age groups, especially children and older adults. Lack of sleep may lead to learning disabilities and a negative emotional impact, affecting the overall well-being of the child and may lead to various chronic disorders. So it is essential to establish good sleep habits in babies from the beginning of their lives. Following are a few tips for developing healthy sleeping habits in children:
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It is not required to set any timings or schedules for newborns. Newborns can sleep for five hours which is normal. As time passes, they stay awake for longer hours during the day and sleep for longer hours at night.
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Older babies may have fixed nap time and bedtime schedules.
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Screen time should be avoided entirely before going to bed. It is advised to make them listen to pleasant bedtime music or read books before bed to have a sound sleep.
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Proper bedtime and routine bedtime are required, like changing the diaper, going to the bathroom, and brushing the teeth.
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The routine time should not be for longer durations.
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Change baby's bed sheets regularly.
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Say goodnight, turn off the lights, and leave the rooms.
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Should not ignore bedtime fears. If the baby has nighttime fear, assure them everything is fine and comfort them.
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Few objects like blankets and soft toys can be encouraged during bedtime.
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Bottle feeding should be avoided in children, especially infants, during bedtime to protect the child's teeth from tooth decay.
What Are Helpful Tips for Children With Poor Sleeping Habits?
Few children may be unable to sleep properly for various reasons, so they should consider the following information to establish a healthy sleeping habit in such conditions.
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If the baby cries or has trouble sleeping, assure them they are fine, it is time to sleep, and then slowly leave the room.
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The interval between the baby's rooms should be slowly stretched, do not do anything. Just talk calmly and leave the room.
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Avoid giving caffeinated drinks to the child before going to bed.
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Travel plans or health issues may disturb daily bedtime habits, but soon after things are normal, the child will quickly follow the bedtime routine.
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Learn to recognize sleep problems. Talk to a pediatrician about any sleep problems or abnormal sleeping habits.
What Are the Common Sleep Problems?
Typical sleep problems include:
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Sleep Deprivation: Some children may be cranky and fussy during sleep, which means they are having trouble sleeping, not getting enough time, or getting up late from bed. All of this may lead to a lack of sleep or insomnia, which results in various health issues in children.
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Separation Issues: Many children may have separation issues. They fear that their parents may leave them. In such cases, give them a long hug and make them feel secure before leaving them. A soft blanket or soft animal toy may help. Doors can be kept open to make them feel comfortable.
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Nightmares: Any stressful physical or mental events, such as fever or emotional stress, may lead to nightmares in children. This may occur in most children at one or the other time. The child may call out of fear, cuddle him, talk calmly, comfort him, and reassure the baby.
When to Visit a Doctor?
In the following conditions, the child should be taken to a doctor.
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Loud snoring.
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Sleepwalking.
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Severe nightmares cause the child to have difficulty in breathing or any other issues caused due to nightmares.
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If the child shows a long pause while breathing, which may be a sign of underlying pathological conditions, consult a pediatrician in case of any other queries regarding the child's sleeping habits.
How to Prevent the Bad Habits?
To provide safety and independent sleep for infants up to one year of age, put them in their cribs on their backs and share a room, but not a bed. The crib must only contain the baby, with no blankets or stuffed animals. It is suggested to feed babies at night, but as they reach twice their birth weight, the frequency of night feedings may be decreased.
Conclusion
Sleep is important in all age groups, especially children and older people. Sleep helps in mental and physical development. Bedtime and nap time play a crucial role in the baby's overall growth. It may affect the child's learning abilities and negatively impact the child's emotions. Lack of sleep also affects the physical development of children, causes frequent illness, and causes weight gain issues. Proper rest during the night will help in staying fresh and energetic throughout the day.
