Baby Sleep Schedules Tips For Managing
Baby sleep schedules are one of the parts of baby care that is crucial to get right. Not only do you want to have a child that gets enough sleep, but you also need rest in order to care for the child. What makes sleep schedules so hard to deal with, though, is the fact that they often do take work to get right and it is not always easy from the beginning.
Newborn Sleep Schedules
When you first bring home your baby, chances are good you will have a child that is sleeping most of the day. When they are not, they require your full attention. For this reason, it is often wise to try to sleep around the child's needs. If she is sleeping from nine to eleven, you should be too. This often throws off the adult's sleep schedule, but after a few weeks, she will need less sleep and things can start to get back on track.
Days and Nights
One of the most difficult elements of baby sleep schedules is their ability to confuse day and night. It is up to mom and dad to help them in this area. For example, even young babies can be stimulated with sounds, light, and motion during the day to create a more awake environment. Working to keep the child awake during the day is important. Keep in mind that most babies under the age of one month will spend most of their days and nights sleeping, though.
Sleeping Through the Night
Every baby is different when it comes to sleeping through the night. Some will begin to do so by the time they are three months old. Others will struggle with needing a bottle well into six months. The important consideration here is to ensure your child is getting the calories he or she needs during the day. Check with your pediatrician to ensure they are getting enough. Keep them awake more so during though day, when possible, and set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep.
The baby's sleep schedule is important to put into place. It takes time to get it just right, but ultimately you will find that your child's sleep patterns are likely to work themselves out. If you feel that, there is a problem, talk with your pediatrician about it. They may be able to tell you what adjustments you should consider making for the child.