Contents
What rhythm of sleep and nap for a newborn baby?
Ah, those famous nights that upset the lives of new parents so much! Of course, we would like this unstable period to last as short as possible and our children to sleep through their nights quickly. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Baby’s sleep cycle is very different from ours. His body clock is programmed to fall asleep on cycles of 3 to 4 hours, regardless of the time of day. The first three months he still does not distinguish between night and day. Let’s not forget that not so long ago, our child was snuggled up warm in our belly, and managed his schedules as he saw fit! So it’s up to us to be patient and give it time to adapt to this new external environment.
At what age on average does a baby sleep full nights?
Babies wake up regularly to meet basic needs, such as hunger or thirst. During the pregnancy, he was fed on a continuous basis (by the umbilical cord), while we are now trying to impose a very different rhythm! Babe will therefore start sleeping through the night when his need to drink decreases, which varies greatly from infant to infant. On average, a little one begins this phase around the age of 4-5 months, but for others, it will not be before 6-8 months!
How much does a baby need to be average to sleep well?
A child sleeps better and longer when he has gained enough weight so that he no longer needs to eat at night. In general, baby then weighs 5 – 6 kilos and can sleep for up to ten or twelve hours… But eight is already good! It is recommended that you consult your pediatrician to find out if your child can do without nighttime feedings or bottle-feeding.
How many hours of sleep for infants?
A full night’s sleep – not counting the day’s naps, therefore – represents 5 to 6 hours for a child of this age. Let’s not forget that the number of hours our infant sleeps is in no way related to our parenting skills. Each child has their own characteristics and nothing is taken for granted: they may very well have beautiful nights for a few days and then start to wake up again. This can be the case during a growth spurt, a teething… Patience and tolerance are therefore essential! Waiting for, take advantage of every opportunity to recover by allowing yourself, if possible, naps to the rhythm of our child. Even during the day, yes!
What if our child is particularly restless at night?
Before the age of six, three out of four children are affected by sleep disorders. While it’s important to talk about your baby’s restlessness in bed, let’s keep in mind that many go through these times of tumultuous nights and disrupted sleep patterns. Institute a sleep ritual, try the 5 – 10 – 15 method… Everything can be studied and tried so that our baby is more peaceful at night!
Doctor’s advice to help baby sleep well
- Respect baby’s sleep cycle
- Create a different environment for the daytime nap (open door, daylight in the bedroom, etc.)
- Establish a bedtime ritual so that baby recognizes that the night’s sleep is approaching
- Go and comfort him if he wakes up: it is most of the time a need, and not a whim