Why won't my baby sleep? About causes and remedies

Babies spend most of the day sleeping, but there are many moms and dads who find it difficult and worried about newborns who don't sleep, such as ``They don't sleep very well,'' ``They wake up immediately after sleeping,'' and ``Is it okay if they don't sleep this much?'' We'll explain why newborns won't sleep and what to do if that happens.

Don't newborn babies sleep all the time?

Newborns, or babies up to 28 days old, sleep about 15 to 20 hours a day. It may seem like you sleep all day long, but in reality, it's normal to wake up every 2 to 3 hours and sleep in short bursts. Many moms and dads worry that their child won't sleep when they want them to, and that it's difficult to get them to sleep.

Even if you finally put your baby to sleep after holding him, it can happen that he wakes up when you put him down on the bed.

You may be worried if your baby, who is supposed to spend most of the day sleeping, doesn't sleep, or you may be anxious to get him to sleep as soon as possible, but it's common for newborns to not sleep, or to wake up right after they sleep. It's okay if you don't worry more than necessary.

Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping because of discomfort or irritation?

Why doesn't my baby sleep?

There are several possible reasons.

For example, if you feel uncomfortable or dissatisfied, such as when your diaper is dirty or you are hungry. Or maybe you don't like the tightness or feel of diapers or clothes.
The reason why your baby wakes up as soon as you put him to sleep even though he sleeps when you are holding him is because he wakes up startled by a change in position or by touching the slightly cool futon.

There may also be problems with the environment, such as disturbing sounds, too much brightness, too much heat or too cold. A sudden loud noise may startle you and wake you up. Since they have just come out of their mother's womb, they are not immune to various stimuli, so it will take some time for them to adapt.

Is it normal for newborns to not sleep?

In addition to discomfort and external factors, there is also an unavoidable reason, such as being at that stage of growth.

One of the characteristics of newborns is that they repeatedly go to sleep and wake up repeatedly regardless of the time of day. Around the age of 3 months, your baby will develop a rhythm of being awake during the day and sleeping at night. Until then, moms and dads will have to wake up many times during the night to take care of their children, and suffer from lack of sleep. It's a process of growth, so think of it as a limited time period and try to get through it as relaxed as possible.

Also, one of the reasons why newborns only sleep for a short time or wake up at the slightest stimulation is that newborns are light sleepers.
Adults also sleep in cycles of REM sleep and non-REM sleep, but babies are said to spend twice as much time in REM sleep as adults, or about half the time they sleep. REM sleep is a state in which the body is at rest but the brain is actively working. This is what is called a ``light sleeper'' state, so even if you are asleep, you wake up quickly.

Some babies don't know how to fall asleep yet, so even though they're sleepy, they can't sleep and end up crying. It's a pity, but babies learn and grow up in many different ways every day. Create an environment that is conducive to sleep and keep an eye on them.

What should I do if my newborn won't sleep?

The first priority is to eliminate the cause of discomfort, such as breastfeeding or changing diapers.

His diaper was clean, and even though I breastfed him, he wouldn't sleep... There are many cases like that.
If the amount of milk is not enough, it is OK to give it additional milk. On the other hand, there are cases where the baby's stomach is bloated and painful due to not being able to burp properly, so be sure to closely monitor your baby and take appropriate action.

It is also important to sleep in a dark and quiet place. The ideal room temperature for babies is 26 to 28 degrees in the summer and 20 to 23 degrees in the winter.

If you're still feeling restless even after all possible causes have been removed, it's possible that you're not feeling well. First, check for nasal congestion or dermatitis. If you can't find a problem and the problem persists for too long, and both the baby and mom and dad are suffering from sleep deprivation, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor.

What should I be careful about when putting my newborn to sleep?

As mentioned above, it's normal for newborns to wake up easily or have trouble falling asleep, and there's usually no need to worry.

What you need to be careful about is removing any hazards that could lead to suffocation. Be careful not to block your nose or mouth with bedding, etc.

Additionally, although the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), in which previously healthy babies suddenly die while they are sleeping, is still unknown, research has shown that the incidence is higher when babies are placed on their stomachs.Unless sleeping on your stomach is recommended for medical reasons, place your baby on your back.Sleeping on your back also helps prevent suffocation accidents.