What you need to do to make sure your baby sleeps soundly. What to do to make your child sleep at night. What you need to do to ensure your newborn sleeps well. Methods for falling asleep independently are international practice. Guarantee

A baby of the first year of life often wakes up at night - newborns need feeding or changing a diaper, older children may require attention, the warmth of their mother's body, some babies, waking up in the crib, want to go to bed with their parents. The topic of how to teach a child to sleep at night and provide him with a long, comfortable sleep is so relevant that mothers turn to somnologists or take an online course from them. How a baby can learn to sleep through the night without waking up every hour, and how many months the training will last - all the answers can be found in this article.

Baby's sound sleep

Features of a newborn's night sleep

If the baby was born full-term (between 37 and 40 weeks), then its internal organs and systems still continue to develop. That is why the first three months of life are called the fourth trimester of pregnancy - the baby is “carried to term”, he is in close contact with his mother and adapts to the world around him. The newborn period lasts up to 4-6 weeks - the baby adapts to conditions different from those in the uterus.

Parents need to organize optimal conditions for the baby’s comfortable adaptation and comply with the following conditions:

Reasons for waking up at night

How to teach a child to sleep without a diaper at night - useful tips

The baby does not sleep well at night - this problem worries many mothers. While some causes are natural, others require a visit to the pediatrician.

Why does the baby often wake up:

He is hungry;

The baby is hungry

He overate, which is why his tummy hurts;
The diaper is full;
The room is too stuffy or, conversely, cold;
He is overtired or overexcited from very active play before bed;
The baby is not feeling well: teething, colic, fever;

Baby is teething

The baby confused day with night.

The child confused day and night

An abundance of extraneous sounds, conversations, noises.

Hunger

Why does a baby, especially in the first three months, often demand food:

A child's stomach is small, so the baby cannot eat enough to sleep through the night;
6-10 feedings per day are natural for infants;
Babies often wake up at 24, 4, 6 and 8 am to breastfeed;
The longest period without food is 4-5 hours.

Note! You should be accustomed to longer breaks between meals no earlier than 4-5 months.

If a child confuses day and night

In a newborn, as a rule, sleep is built around feedings and often in a chaotic manner. Each child is individual: some from birth sleep well at night, gradually increasing the intervals between feedings, while others rest restlessly, cry and demand their mother.

Methods to correct the situation:

You should gradually synchronize the children's rhythm with the light and dark times of the day;
Walk outside before lunch;
At night, only feed, do not play, do all manipulations with minimal lighting.

Note! If the baby constantly wants to be held, then don’t worry. The adaptation period will soon end, and newborns will not be spoiled.

What can you do to help your baby sleep soundly through the night?

Firstly, if the baby does not sleep well, tosses and turns and cries, then you need to make sure that he is healthy, not hungry and not wet. If the child is not sick, there is no suspicion of the appearance of a new tooth, there are no problems with digestion, but at the same time the child’s peace is disturbed, then perhaps his day was not active enough?

In order for the baby to sleep “without its hind legs,” parents must “load” it well during the day. If this is done correctly, then by the evening the child will completely spend his energy, get tired and want to sleep. Physical activity and positive emotional stress are simple, but at the same time effective ways to saturate your baby’s day.

Physical exercises are best performed in the daytime and evening, before feeding and water procedures. If the baby is already crawling, trying to sit up or walking, then make him move as much as possible. And even better - do it together with your baby: crawl, walk, play. Both will enjoy this pastime. If the child is very small and the range of his movements is limited, then use swimming, massage treatments or light gymnastic exercises as physical activity.

As for emotional stress, it is immediately worth noting that they work individually. For example, active communication with the surrounding society, educational games during the day tire some children and put them to sleep, while others, on the contrary, excite and tone them up. Therefore, be extremely careful and watch for a while how your baby reacts to emotional overstimulation. Believe me, one or two times is enough for you to draw the right conclusions.

Many parents do not know what time their child should be put to bed. However, there is no strict rule in this regard. While the baby does not attend preschool and educational institutions, his regime depends entirely on the interests of the family. For example, some parents find it more convenient for the baby to fall asleep at midnight and wake up at 8-9 am. And others find it more comfortable to go to bed at 10 p.m.

Of course, a newborn is often colicky in the first months and needs to be fed at night, which means that, whether you like it or not, he will wake up at night. But by 4-5 months, parents can forget about forced night vigils if they approach this problem correctly. And how to do this correctly, the following recommendations will help:

In the afternoon, physical activity should be more dynamic. Emotional saturation is in question, but massage, gymnastics, active games are beyond any doubt.
2-3 hours before putting your newborn to bed, try to organize a walk in the fresh air.
Swim 1-2 hours before bedtime. Baths with herbal infusions (chamomile, string, lavender) have a very calming effect on the baby.
After bathing, that is, half an hour before bedtime, the baby will need a hearty dinner.
In order for a child to sleep peacefully, the climate in his room should be humid (60-70%), and the temperature should be within 18-20 degrees.
Try to eliminate loud noises so that they do not disturb the baby's sleep.

If this algorithm of actions does not help, and the child still sleeps anxiously, then do not experiment and show him to a specialist. The sooner you do this, the sooner the baby will find a calm and sweet sleep. After all, the little man cannot yet independently tell his parents about what worries him and what hurts him. And the doctor will help determine the cause of concern and give practical recommendations on this matter.

When to start eliminating night feedings

How to accustom your child to a sleep and feeding schedule

Weaning is an individual process. Some babies sleep through the night already at 6 months, while others require mother’s milk or formula until they are 2-3 years old. This is not considered a pathology. Any child will sooner or later give up late-night snacking - it's only a matter of time.

Important! It is worth accurately tracking whether the baby needs food or tactile contact with his mother.

For the first three months, during the “gestation” period, there can be no weaning. If something is bothering the baby, and he is not getting enough food, and then often wakes up at night, it is worth identifying the cause of the worries, and then starting to wean him off from night feedings.

Effective methods of sleeping without feeding

How to teach your baby to sleep in his own crib

If parents decide to wean the baby from night feedings, they should be patient and realize that the baby is under a lot of stress during this period. It is necessary to be flexible and be able to find alternative replacements for one method or another.

Additional Information. If the regime changes too abruptly, the baby will begin to become hysterical, thus showing his protest. Therefore, you should start changing your usual routine gradually, understanding that the first nights will be difficult for all family members.

Methods for teaching your child to sleep without waking up all night:

increase feedings during the day;
maintain a daily routine;
replace formula or milk with water;
more contact with mom;
reach an agreement;
connect dad.

Increasing daily feedings

Children who have reached the age of one year eat almost everything. It is important to give your baby a variety of foods in sufficient quantities throughout the day, so that he will not want to snack before bed and at night. You can offer cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt an hour before bedtime.

Maintaining a daily routine

A daily routine will help both mother and baby. The baby will quickly learn to recognize when he has a rest, when he has a bath, and when he has a walk.

Baby's day regimen from birth to 10 months

other methods

If the baby is bottle-fed, then already from six months you can start replacing the mixture with water or diluting it with a very large amount of water.

Children after one year often do not want mother’s milk so much as mother’s warmth and attention. You should take the baby in your arms, sing a lullaby, and rock it. A favorite toy is also a great way to help you fall asleep quickly.

Negotiations can be made with children over two years of age. To do this, you should explain the reason why there will be no milk or formula at night, and promise that in the morning the baby will have a delicious breakfast.

If the baby just can’t stop feeding at night, throwing tantrums at mom and showing resistance, then it’s worth getting dad involved. Let him carry the baby, put him next to him, tell him a fairy tale - this way the child will calmly and quickly wean himself from waking up at night.

Baby's sleep. How to ensure your baby sleeps soundly

Long and deep sleep is the basis for a comfortable life for a young mother and child. They need good sleep like air.

How well the baby has slept depends on his harmonious physical and emotional development, and how well the mother has recovered depends on the amount of milk, physical condition and mood of the mother.

No baby is born knowing how to sleep for eight hours straight. During the first months he sleeps 16-20 hours a day with short intervals of 30 minutes to 2 hours. The body still lives according to the “intrauterine” routine, in addition to this, the digestive and nervous systems are adapting, and the musculoskeletal system is being formed.

The average baby sleeps:

• 1 month - about 20 hours, waking up only for feedings;

• 2 months – 18-19 hours, can withstand an hour of wakefulness;

• 3-4 months - 17-18 hours, of which 10-11 hours at night;

• 6 months – 16 hours;

• 9 months – 13 hours a day, of which 11 hours at night;

• 1-3 years - 12-13 hours with one or two daytime sleep breaks.

It is impossible to “force” your baby to sleep, but there are a few simple rules that will allow you to “teach” him to sleep for a long time as quickly as possible and avoid problems in the future.

Tips to help ensure your baby gets good sleep

1. After birth, determine in what conditions the baby sleeps longer and more calmly: in his crib in a sleeping bag, outside in a stroller, next to you, in a sling. Use the opportunity to extend the rest for him and yourself. Keep in mind that at night it is absolutely normal for him to wake up 3 to 6 times. In this case, a side crib is the best option for you and him. It's easy for you to put him to your chest if he wakes up. At the same time, you yourself will not fundamentally disrupt the flow of your sleep. Your baby will sleep better if he is close to you (on your bed), but the quality of your sleep will deteriorate because you will subconsciously worry about crushing your baby. Therefore, as soon as possible, transfer him to a side crib.

2. A normally developing three-month-old baby can already sleep 5-6 hours in a row. He wakes up at night out of habit, and if you support it (by feeding), it takes root. Try moving his crib away from yours so that he doesn’t react to your every move; try not to grab the baby after the first cry and drag him to your breast - it is quite possible that he will calm down on his own (with the help of a pacifier, a favorite soft toy or your hand) and fall asleep. If you're ready for the next step, move your baby to another room, at least temporarily. If the quantity and quality of sleep improves (both his and yours), then the decision was right.

3. You can save a lot of time if you teach your baby to fall asleep on his own. To do this, it is advisable to create certain rituals (do not start exciting games before bed, create an atmosphere for going to bed, change the diaper, put on a sleeping bag, give him his favorite soft toy). The simpler these habits are, the easier it will be for you to stick to them. That is why experts do not recommend rocking the baby to sleep and staying close until he falls soundly asleep. Put your baby in the crib to fall asleep - this is the only way he will learn to fall asleep on his own. This step is not easy for parents, but it is necessary so that the baby, waking up at night, does not wake them up by screaming, but falls asleep on his own.

4. The correct choice of time to fall asleep is important for the baby. If you miss him, he may become overexcited, and then it will be difficult to put him down. As soon as you notice that the baby begins to rub his ears and eyes, his movements slow down, this is the right moment. A sign of fatigue, surprisingly, is often the baby’s excessive activity. To avoid thinking for a long time, choose an exact time and stick to it. This is important for you too - from this moment you can plan your vacation.

5. The general conditions for proper sleep for the baby are: a ventilated room, optimal temperature (18-22 degrees), darkness (at night), dim light (during the day), a well-absorbent and suitable-sized diaper, a sleeping bag (the child will not unwrap himself, you will not you'll have to run to it at night to check), a thin cotton bodysuit with sleeves, a medium-hard mattress without a pillow; correct daily routine (the child should be tired in the evening, but not overexcited); compliance with feeding rules (so that the baby does not have night colic and does not feel hungry).

6. Many books have been written on the problems of sleep and falling asleep in children. All of them are based on one postulate - any child can be taught to “sleep.” When turning to numerous literature, do not forget one thing - all innovations should be introduced gradually, gently, with love, but consistently. Do not change your decision if the baby resists at first. Children are conservatives. They will cling to old habits until the last. In this case, you yourself must become innovators. If you are sure that the change will benefit him and you, then he will accept it. If it’s difficult for you to introduce drastic beatings yourself, then perhaps it will be easier for dad to do it. The result will not be long in coming. You yourself will be surprised at how your baby, who recently woke up several times at night, lay in your bed for hours and refused to fall asleep, after small adjustments will fall asleep on his own and will not wake you up even once during the night.

Parents' mistakes

Some adults make unacceptable mistakes that lead to discord between the child and parents.

What mistakes should not be made:

You can’t leave your baby to “scream.” Grandmothers recommend letting the child scream, so he will subsequently shut up.

Additional Information. Margot Sunderland, an English psychologist, performed ultrasound examinations of the brain and found that children who were left to cry for a long time could develop serious neurological diseases.

Removal from the baby. Mothers try to give the baby to the grandmothers, lock themselves in another room, or go somewhere before bathing the baby and return after midnight, but this can significantly violate the level of trust between the child and parents.

Removal from the child

Start changing your regime radically. Mothers smear their breasts with mustard, brilliant green, and can sprinkle with pepper. Older children usually correctly evaluate this method of influence, but one-year-olds may get scared and refuse to breastfeed altogether. You should not offer your baby breasts with all sorts of spices and herbs.
Add other stressful moments. If the baby is already in an unstable situation: teething, illness, experience of moving, the baby has just started kindergarten, new restrictions cannot be introduced. Let a few weeks pass after the illness, the tooth will erupt, the baby will adapt to kindergarten, and you can wean him off supplementary feeding.

Advice from Dr. Komarovsky

Dr. Komarovsky, a famous Russian pediatrician, tells in his lectures how to teach a baby to sleep soundly throughout the night.

9 rules that will help with this:

Don’t pretend to be heroes and give your whole life only to your baby. It’s better to find ways to quickly build a daily and nightly routine.
It is imperative to develop a structured daily routine as soon as possible.
Determine where and with whom the baby sleeps: with his parents or in the crib.
Control daytime sleep and do not allow you to rest for more than the allotted time.
From 6 months, children are less likely to wake up at night from hunger; they often just want communication, to be rocked. You should not feed your baby right away, otherwise he will overeat, which is also not good.
Walk a lot, communicate, be active during the day.
A child's sleeping place should be comfortable, convenient and cozy.
Always prepare the baby’s room for sleep: ventilate, humidify the room.
Use high-quality and properly selected sleep diapers.

The first months after birth can be difficult with a baby: he sleeps poorly during the day and at night, and requires attention and milk. As he gets older, you can begin to get him used to longer periods between feedings and longer rests at night. How quickly the baby adapts to the world around him depends on the parents. It is worth being patient and consistent so that your baby sleeps soundly, calmly and serenely throughout the night.

Komarovsky's advice

Dr. Komarovsky has proven himself positively over many years. The pediatrician recommends following the list of the following rules to promote the formation of a proper sleep pattern.

Formation of the correct sleep pattern

The tips look like this:

Create the necessary daily routine. A necessary rule is that the sleep period of the child and parents must coincide. Preparing all family members for nighttime sleep should take place at the same time, this will make it easier to accustom the baby to prolonged sleep in the dark.
Ensure control of daytime sleep. At a certain age, a child is required to rest for a strictly established period. Based on the above rules, you should limit your child’s daytime sleep. You should also wake the baby during periods of active activities and meals. If he sleeps the required number of hours during the day that are needed for proper rest, then learning to sleep at night will become several times easier.
Be as active as possible during the day. The daily activities of a small child should be significantly diversified. He should play a lot, communicate with peers and spend time in nature. An abundance of positive emotions is also an integral attribute. It is worth reducing activity in the late evening when immediately preparing for rest. The habit of listening to your parents’ lullabies while falling asleep can have a positive impact on the formation of your daily routine.
Ensure the supply of the required amount of warm air. Timely ventilation, regular wet cleaning and humidification of the bedroom will improve the process of falling asleep and recovery. The most acceptable temperature range varies from eighteen to twenty degrees Celsius.
Set your priorities correctly. To fully devote all your free time to a newborn child, you should not completely reject your personal life. Often such large-scale sacrifices lead to disastrous results and do not bring the expected results. The child is sensitive to the emotional climate in the family and often adopts the psychological attitude of the parents. It is recommended to form the correct day and night routine in order to rest productively and perform the necessary activities.
Determine the child's resting place. The cradle can be located next to the parents or in the next room. It is allowed to place the baby next to the parents until the age of twelve months is reached, after which it is transferred to another room. The child can sleep in the parent's bed, but it is recommended to wean him from this habit.
Replace nighttime meals with communication with mom. If a baby wakes up at night, the reason may not be hunger, but a lack of parental hugs. But satisfying nightly desires in full will not lead to a positive result, since he will ask for more.

Read: Knitted hats for children

Video on how to teach your baby to sleep at night:

08 Jan 2020 Valeria 328

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Discussion: 3 comments

Inna:
01/20/2018 at 16:21
And our child somehow stopped waking up at night when he was 4 months old. I fell asleep at 8-9 pm, woke up at 11 to eat, and then slept peacefully until 7 am. I think this is because we took the daily routine seriously + I did not give him the breast at the first squeak, and the child did not have the habit of using it as a pacifier.
Answer
Anna:
07/18/2019 at 00:50
How to train a baby to sleep well all night if the mother herself does not follow many of the rules? It will be very difficult to tame a baby, since a routine has already been formed; an adult needs at least 3 full days to even out the schedule.
Answer
Love:
01/10/2020 at 15:30
I remember the first year of my daughter’s birth with horror, because she “confused day with night,” and slept wonderfully peacefully during the day, and played just as wonderfully at night. All my tricks were useless, I tried to keep her from sleeping, but then it was even worse. She was capricious, didn’t eat and had even more difficulty falling asleep at night. The most interesting thing is that everything somehow improved by itself by the year when I stopped breastfeeding. It’s just that she never got along with daytime sleep, but at night she slept for 10 hours without waking up. It seems to me that the child himself outgrows and adapts to the parents’ regime.
Answer