So that the baby has difficulty sleeping is not difficult to handle

peopleParents who have babies often complain of lack of sleep at night because the child wakes up several times to feed. Sometimes after that, baby has trouble falling back asleep and stays up all night.

 This kind of obstacle is a common thing experienced by parents of newborns. Newborns generally spend most of their time sleeping. Starting at the age of 3 or 4 months, generally babies can sleep at least five hours in a row. However, the condition can be different in each baby.

Causes Babies Have Difficulty Sleeping

Even though they seem to be always sleeping, they rarely spend several hours in a row sleeping. His sleep will be divided into different times. Babies can sleep for an hour, then wake up 30 minutes and fall back asleep.

This is because the sleep cycle of babies, especially newborns, is not like that of adults. They go through more sleep phases rapid eye movement (REM) which is important for growth and development.

Keep in mind that the baby's condition of sleeplessness can also be caused by changes in routine, such as when traveling long distances or being sick.

Overcoming Baby's Difficulty Sleeping

To make it easy for your little one to fall asleep and you get enough rest time, here are some tips for overcoming a baby with insomnia that you can apply:

• Set your little one's schedule

  From morning to noon, as much as possible arrange routine activities with the same pattern so that babies drink breast milk, play, and get ready for bed at approximately the same time each day.

• Play during the day

  Activities during the day can allow your baby to sleep more soundly at night. Stimulate baby with a variety of entertainment for babies, such as singing. During the day, make sure the house has bright lighting.

• Take a shower or read a bedtime story

  Form daily routine activities before bed, such as taking a bath, reading a book, or listening to music. Over time, the baby will get used to and associate this activity with sleep. But avoid adopting a new routine when your child is sick.

• Recognize the signs your little one is sleepy

  When the baby looks sleepy, put him in bed so he gets used to sleeping on his own. Sleepy children can be characterized by rubbing their eyes, yawning, watery eyes, fussiness, and tugging at the ears. Therefore, it is not too late to put the baby to bed. The physical condition of a baby who is too tired actually makes it more difficult for the baby to sleep. Otherwise, he tends to wake up earlier.

• Use dim lights

  Use a dim light when your baby wants to feed at night, so he will quickly fall back asleep.

• Teach your little one the difference between day and night

  Teach your baby to tell the difference between day and night, for example by turning off the lights at night.

• Don't invite your little one to play when he wakes up

  When he wakes up during the night, avoid engaging him in interactions or responding to his “invitations” to play. Also avoid giving him toys to let him know that the evenings are not the time to play.

But if your baby still has trouble sleeping well at night, don't worry, because there are other ways you can try. Bathe the baby with warm water, give a light massage to the baby's body, put on a comfortable nightgown, and feed the baby at night before going to bed or when he wakes up. Consistency in doing this routine will make the baby feel safe and sleep more comfortably.

Keep in mind that not all strategies will work, as every child and parenting style is different. Some parents like to let their baby wake up at night, because it is considered normal, but there are also those who disagree. The most important thing is to avoid setting the bar too high for both yourself and your baby.