Why won't my newborn baby sleep? How should I put her to bed?
Newborn babies spend most of the day sleeping, but many moms and dads worry that their baby won't sleep or that it's difficult to get them to sleep. Why won't my baby sleep and what should I do when that happens? We've put together a summary of how to sleep and put your newborn to sleep.
What is your baby's sleep cycle?
Babies spend most of the day sleeping. During the newborn period, from 0 to 28 days old, babies sleep for about 15 to 20 hours a day.
It's a long time in total, but the amount of sleep each time is short, and it's normal to wake up every 2 to 3 hours. The time spent awake is about 40 minutes at a time. They sleep and wake up in short cycles, so mom and dad are busy taking care of them.
Newborn babies do not know the difference between day and night, and they sleep and wake up repeatedly during the night. Many moms and dads find it difficult to get their child to sleep because it takes a long time to get them to sleep, and when they think they've finally fallen asleep, they wake up again.
When your baby is around 2 to 3 months old, they will gradually start to spend more time awake, and around 6 to 7 months, they will start sleeping all at night.
Why won't my newborn sleep?
Newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping, but many moms and dads have trouble sleeping.
Why won't my baby sleep?
There are several possible reasons.
Babies cry and complain when they feel uncomfortable, such as being hungry, having a dirty diaper, feeling uncomfortable, being hot or cold, or having itchy or painful skin due to clothing, etc.
After breastfeeding, your baby may not be able to burp properly and it may be painful.
She is a light sleeper and wakes up with the slightest stimulation, such as noise or vibration, and may start crying.
Also, it seems that the baby has just come out of the mother's womb and has not yet adapted to its environment, so it may cry because it cannot sleep even though it is sleepy.
What should I do if my baby won't sleep?
Newborn babies can only drink a small amount of milk at a time, and their bladders are small and they urinate frequently, so they will have to feed and change diapers frequently.
If your baby wakes up crying, first check to make sure he's not hungry and that his diaper isn't dirty.
Check to make sure your clothes and bedding aren't irritating your skin, and check for insect bites and scratches. If we find any elements that may cause discomfort, we will address them immediately.
It is also important to prepare the environment so that you can sleep comfortably.
For example, keep the room temperature suitable for your baby. The average temperature is 26 to 28 degrees in summer and 20 to 23 degrees in winter. Place it in a place where it is not exposed to air conditioning or heating or direct sunlight.
A baby's body temperature is higher than that of an adult, so if you dress your baby too thickly even in cold weather, the baby will overheat and sweat, which will cool the baby's body instead, so you need to keep an eye on the baby and adjust accordingly.
To gradually practice distinguishing between day and night, we recommend letting your baby sleep in a bright place during the day and keeping it dark at night even while breastfeeding.
It takes time for a child to learn the life cycle of sleeping all at night and being active during the day. Although it may be difficult at a young age, by clearly distinguishing between day and night environments from a newborn age, it will help your baby acquire a rhythm smoothly as they grow.
Also, since babies can hear sounds from the moment they are born, children who are sensitive to sounds may wake up at the slightest noise. It's a good idea to be a little more careful about noises while sleeping.
Do newborns need to be put to sleep?
In conclusion, it is not always necessary to put a newborn to sleep.
If your baby doesn't stop crying even after you try to give them milk, change their diapers, etc., you may find yourself wanting to cry.
But that's what babies are like.
You need to be careful if your dog seems unwell or is crying in a different way than usual, but if this is not the case, one way to do this is to wait a while and see how the dog is doing without forcing him to sleep.
Don't take it too seriously, just relax and watch over your baby.
However, don't forget to ensure safety. When placing your child to sleep alone, to avoid difficulty breathing or the risk of suffocation, place your child on their back and make sure there are no cloths, cushions, etc. that could block their mouth or nose.
How should moms and dads spend the newborn period?
The newborn period, when babies need care every 2 to 3 hours day and night, is a time when moms and dads are constantly deprived of sleep and are under great physical and mental strain. If possible, create opportunities to refresh yourself by sharing the work with mom and dad or relying on grandparents.
If you have to deal with your baby in one surgery, you need to be creative.
Set your priorities and make sure to take time to rest frequently, such as doing as much housework as you can and doing it at the bare minimum. By sleeping a little at a time with your baby, you can recover your physical strength.
Another option is to use a babysitter or housekeeping service. When shopping, you can save time and effort by using online supermarkets or home delivery services.
The baby phase goes by in the blink of an eye. When you're in the midst of a crisis, it's easy to focus on the difficulties, but it's a good idea to take advantage of the help of your family and external services to reduce your burden and enjoy the time you have with your baby.
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