It's the middle of the night, the baby is crying and cries and you are completely exhausted and desperate. You've tried everything from carrying to singing and still your baby just won't sleep. You wonder what you are doing wrong and how you can help your child. It feels like there is no solution, but of course giving up is not an option. What now? Let me tell you, there is hope and ways you can help your baby sleep better.
First of all, realize that you are not alone. If your baby can't get a good night's sleep during the day or night, sleep deprivation quickly becomes a challenge that many new parents have to deal with. There are many reasons why babies have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. In this blog post, I would like to help you understand why this is the case and give you a few tips on how you can help your baby to fall asleep and sleep through the night.
Baby sleep is different to adult sleep
It is important to understand that sleep of babies is different from that of adults. Babies sleep several hours a day, but at shorter intervals and with several waking phases. Their sleep cycle is shorter and they wake up more often. This is normal and does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. It is important to make sure that the child gets enough sleep, even if it does not sleep through the night.
Why do babies often not sleep well?
There are many reasons why babies often struggle to sleep through the night, especially in the first few weeks, but also afterwards. Here are some of the most common:
- Hunger: babies have small stomachs and need frequent meals. If the baby is hungry, it will wake up and look for food even at night.
- Diaper changes: Babies have sensitive skin and can be bothered by a wet or dirty diaper.
- Discomfort: An uncomfortable sleeping environment, such as an uncomfortable bed or temperatures that are too hot or cold, can cause babies to wake up.
- Illness: If the child is ill or in pain, it can be difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. If in doubt, always ask the pediatrician.
- Newborns: In the first few months, they are not yet able to distinguish between day and night and have therefore not yet developed a fixed sleep rhythm. In addition, many newborns struggle with the startle reflex (Moro reflex), which causes them to wake up during the night.
What can help?
So waking up at night is simply part of it in the beginning. However, there are many things you can do to help your restless baby sleep better and, most importantly, get back to sleep faster at night. Here are some tips:
- Create a calm sleeping environment: make sure the baby's sleeping area is quiet, dark and the bed is comfortable. For some little treasures, sleeping alone in bed doesn't work at all. Babies often have difficulty sleeping in bed because they feel insecure. In the womb, they were constantly surrounded by the sounds and movements of their mother, and this gives them a feeling of protection and security. In a lonely bed in their own room, however, they can miss this closeness and security and feel lost.
- Observe your child's sleep rhythm: Pay attention to how often and how long the child sleeps. This can help you to develop a better sleep rhythm.
- Pay attention to nutrition: Make sure the child gets enough food to stay full.
- Organize the waking phases: During the waking phases, it helps, especially with very young children, to focus on rest and avoid too much commotion. Too many stimuli during the day can lead to restless nights. Nevertheless, it is important to give your child the opportunity to move around. This can also have a positive effect on stomach pain. Fresh air during the day also helps to improve baby's sleep.
- Use sleep aids: Some babies can only fall asleep well with movement. Carrying them in a carrier or sling can then help. However, if it is not only difficult to fall asleep, but your little one wakes up immediately when you put them down, carrying them continuously can quickly become extremely tiring. A Baby Hammock is an excellent way of helping your child to fall asleep more quickly and easily and to sleep through the night. The gentle, even movement of the Baby Hammock is reminiscent of rocking in the womb and can have a calming effect.
Why are Baby Hammock particularly helpful?
Baby Hammock are a great way to help your baby sleep better. Here are some reasons why they can be particularly helpful:
- Soothing motion: The gentle rocking motion of the Baby Hammock is reminiscent of rocking in the womb and can have a calming effect on your child.
- Security: A Baby Hammock can also help to ease the transition from the womb to the outside world. This is because the baby is used to being in close contact with the mother and can feel similarly secure and protected in the cradle. Many parents report that their baby in the Baby Hammock sleeps faster and longer.
- Sleeping position: The Baby Hammock can help to put your child in a comfortable sleeping position that makes it easier for them to rest. The comfortable position can also relieve your baby's tension and reduce any colic.
If you are unsure whether a Baby Hammock is suitable for your child, it is best to speak to your pediatrician or a qualified specialist.
In summary, there are many ways in which you can help your baby to sleep. A calm and relaxed atmosphere, a fixed sleep-wake rhythm and a Baby Hammock can help your child to sleep better and recover. But don't forget that every baby is unique and has different sleep needs. So you may have to try different methods until you find the right one for your baby. Don't give up and be patient. With a little time, patience and love, you will help your baby find a healthy and restful sleep.
