Baby deedee Blog

Are your children struggling to sleep? Here are some common sleep challenges and ways to overcome them.

Having a newborn can be a wild ride, and if you've been struggling to better understand why your little one is sleeping certain amounts at certain times, this article will explain the science behind it all. From circadian rhythms to melatonin production and more, we’re here to help you sort out each part of the puzzle. The Importance of Good Newborn Sleep Habits As any parent knows, good sleep habits are invaluable for newborn babies. Not only does it keep your infant happy and healthy, but it also helps them develop and grow. One of the most important things to know is that newborns follow a very different sleep pattern than adults. Newborns tend to sleep between 16-18 hours per day, often alternating between periods of deep sleep and light sleep. These cycles are due to the baby's developmental stage – as they get older, their sleeping patterns will become more like an adult's. Understanding your baby's unique sleep pattern is crucial for establishing healthy and consistent sleeping habits. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to cues such as yawning, eye rubbing, and changes in body temperature— all signs that signal it might be time for a nap! What You Need to Know About Newborn Sleep Cycles Being aware of your little one's sleep needs will help you provide them with the best possible care. First, it's important to understand that new babies cannot regulate their own sleep-wake cycles, which means they have no concept of day or night. In fact, a newborn's sleeping schedule may range from 2 hours to 4 hours awake at a time – and each child is unique and different. Additionally, expect your baby to cycle through four distinct stages of sleep: active sleep, quiet sleep, drowsiness, and deep sleep. As they get older, they will naturally transition to longer stretches of nighttime rest as their brain matures and grows. How Much Sleep Your Baby Needs According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns need somewhere between 14-17 hours of sleep per day.  During the day, your baby will take several short naps of about 30 minutes each. These typically happen around 4-5 times during the day. At night, you should expect your newborn to sleep for a few hours at a time. In fact, some may actually go on marathon 4-8 hour sessions! This is ideal since it allows babies to get the deep REM sleep they need for physical and mental development in their early stages of life. Remember: not all newborns are alike when it comes to their sleeping patterns - but knowing how much rest they need can help you make sure they're staying happy and healthy! The Role of Melatonin and Cortisol in Newborn Sleeping Patterns Have you ever wondered why newborns have such irregular and unpredictable sleeping patterns? It's largely thanks to two hormones—melatonin and cortisol. These hormones have an important role in setting the rhythm of a newborn child's sleep, helping to define when their body is ready for rest and when it should get ready for the day. Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone released by the pineal gland in our brains. It is responsible for helping regulate our circadian rhythms which determine when we are awake, and when we are asleep. In newborns, melatonin levels begin to increase as the day progresses, eventually reaching its peak at night - signaling for our bodies to prepare for sleep. For newborns though, this process can be disrupted if they are kept up past sunset or if their exposure to light changes during the night. Cortisol is another hormone produced by our bodies that plays a vital role in regulating sleep patterns. This hormone helps us respond appropriately when exposed to external stimuli - like bright lights or loud noises - which can help wake people up if they’re sleeping too much. In newborns, however, cortisol levels do not peak until after several weeks of life - meaning they will have difficulty waking up even with external stimuli present. These two hormones act together to create regular and consistent sleep patterns in newborns as they grow and develop, allowing them to get the restful sleep they need.  Developmental Changes in Sleep Patterns as Your Baby Grows Newborns can't differentiate between day and night yet. That's why the first few months of your baby's life can be pretty tricky when it comes to sleep. But over time, your little one will go through developmental changes that will eventually lead to a more predictable sleep schedule. Here are a few things to look out for: Sleep Cycle Length: As your baby grows, their sleep cycles will also become longer. And we're not just talking by the hour - you'll see regular shifts in when they stay awake and when they need to sleep. Generally, these sleep cycles will even out as they get older. Sleep Consolidation: As well as the length of their sleep cycle changing, during the first two years of life your child's sleeping patterns will also become more consolidated. This means that more time will be spent in one 'block' rather than being divided up throughout the day - making it easier for them (and you!) to get into a routine. Feeding Patterns: Expect your little one's dietary needs to change over time too! You may find that they end up eating fewer meals during the day and switching them around so that they finish eating earlier in the evening. Supporting Healthy Sleep Habits in Newborns Day and Night Cycles: Newborns will typically sleep for short periods throughout the day and night in the first few months of life. Their circadian rhythm (which regulates sleep-wake cycles) is still maturing, so they’ll need help differentiating between day and night. That’s why exposing them to bright lights during the day and keeping their sleeping environment dark at night is important. Napping Habits: Newborns need frequent naps—around 16-18 hours a day! Naps should be spread out evenly throughout the day ideally and should be prioritized since they’re key for development. Try creating a nap routine that works with your baby’s natural nap needs—you can do this with soothing activities like singing or reading stories. Establishing Sleep Patterns: One of the best ways to establish healthy sleeping patterns in babies is through a consistent pre-sleep routine. This helps them wind down for the night by getting ready for bed at roughly the same time each evening. Going through soothing rituals cuddling up for a story or changing to their Sleep Nest can help signal that it's time for bed and can make going to sleep feel more natural and less intimidating. All in all, understanding newborn sleep cycles can help you become more informed, and feel more prepared, to navigate your newborn's sleep patterns. When you understand the science behind how newborns sleep, it can help you create a more realistic plan for your baby's sleep needs, and adjust their expectations accordingly.

Welcoming a newborn into the world can be an exciting and joyful experience, but it can also be a challenging one, especially for first-time parents. One of the biggest challenges new parents face is understanding their newborn's sleep patterns. Babies spend most of their time sleeping during their first few weeks of life, but their sleep cycle can be quite different from what adults are used to. Understanding your newborn's sleep cycle is essential for ensuring they get the rest they need and helping them establish healthy sleep habits.  Here, we will explore what new parents should expect from their newborn's sleep cycle, including how much sleep they need and what their sleep patterns may look like. Definition of a Newborn Sleep Cycle If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard of the dreaded “newborn sleep cycle.” It all sounds so intimidating, and the idea of trying to navigate your infant’s sleeping patterns can be overwhelming. But what exactly is a newborn sleep cycle? A newborn sleep cycle is simply an organized pattern of sleeping and waking throughout the day. Babies in their first few months typically have a sleep cycle that usually lasts 2-4 hours at a time, during which they will move back and forth between states of light and deep sleep. They may wake briefly during each sleep episode, but they don't stay awake for long—unless something external disturbs them (like hunger or an uncomfortable temperature).  Explanation of the Different Stages of Sleep As your baby grows and develops, their sleep patterns will begin to resemble those of older children and adults. During the first few months of life, your baby's sleep patterns can be broken down into three stages: active, quiet, and deep sleep. During active sleep, your baby's eyes move rapidly underneath their eyelids while their arms and legs move involuntarily. This is the most easily disturbed stage of sleep and babies are often easily awakened during it. In quiet sleep, your baby's eyes do not move and they settle into a deeper sleep, but they are still relatively easy to awaken. This is the stage where most dreams occur. The third stage is deep sleep—or as some parents call it, “Rem Sleep” or “Delta Sleep”— when your baby is totally relaxed and hard to rouse. Babies in this state produce rare movements or sounds except for the occasional startle reflex. This is when their bodies are able to do most of its physical growth and development. Typical Sleep Patterns for Newborns Here's what you should expect during the first few months: Daytime Sleep: Newborn babies usually have their days and nights mixed up during the early weeks—they may take short naps throughout the day and then be awake for many hours at night. This is normal! As you start to establish a daily routine for your baby, you'll see that they start taking longer naps during the day. Nighttime Sleep: At night, it's best to put your baby down when they are drowsy but still awake. Most newborns will wake up often during the night—usually every two to three hours—as this is how their bodies are programmed to develop. If you notice that your baby has difficulty sleeping or has dramatically different sleeping times each night, talk to your pediatrician. Challenges That Can Disrupt Sleeping Patterns It's not all smooth sailing when it comes to baby sleep, unfortunately. During the first few months, you can expect some challenges which might disrupt baby’s sleeping pattern. Let’s take a look: Teething Pain: It happens to the best of us — a teething baby is an uncomfortable one and this can manifest itself in disrupted sleep patterns both at night and during the day. The good news is that this only lasts for a few days or weeks until your baby’s teeth poke through and the pain subsides. Growth Spurts: Babies go through several growth spurts in the first year of their life, with the initial one happening around 3-4 weeks old. During these growth spurts, your baby might need to feed more often than usual as their bodies are working extra hard to get bigger and stronger. As a result, you might find there are more wake ups at night during such times. Sleep Regressions: Sleep regressions generally occur around 4 months of age, 8 months old and then again at 12 months old - when babies are going through major developmental milestones like learning how to roll over or crawl. If your little one is going through a regression phase, don't worry - it won't last forever! Just focus on establishing good sleep habits and weathering out the storm until things get back on track. Tips for Keeping Your Baby Asleep Through the Night Establish a bedtime routine: Creating a consistent and predictable bedtime routine helps cue your baby that it's time to sleep, and they begin to associate specific steps with going to bed.  Make sure they're comfortable: Make sure that all external factors are considered before putting them in their crib: noise levels should be low, temperature should be cool, they are wearing comfy clothes, and light should be dimmed as much as possible. Sleep training when necessary: Sleep training, or teaching your little one how to self-soothe, can be tough for parents—but sometimes necessary for healthy sleep habits too. It requires patience, consistency and correct timing; but when done correctly it can help your baby learn how to put themselves back to sleep without involving you every time they wake up during the night. As a new parent, understanding your baby's sleep basics can help to reduce your anxiety and stress as you adjust to parenthood. Although the first few months of infancy can be a challenging time for your sleep schedule, you will be surprised at how quickly your little one will progress in their sleep patterns and cycles. Embrace this time, enjoy the process of getting to know your baby, and get ready for more peaceful rest in the days ahead!