Sleep from birth
To foster good sleep habits, we must be vigilant at birth. For some babies, will naturally while others have multiple awakenings requiring intervention.
Sleep is one aspect of life that is essential to well-being, both for the growth brain development. Already in utero, it is about 24 to 30 weeks some sleep cycles develop. Also, the stimuli provided by the mother in her daily activities influence the development of sleep cycles and the biological clock. It is the brain that governs the organization of sleep cycles. After birth, the organization of sleep is largely influenced by daylight schedule feedings and daily activities. These elements (called time-givers) have a great influence to regulate sleep cycles. They will be more regular and stable, the clock will be organized easily.
At birth, sleep cycles have a duration of between 40 and 60 minutes. In the first months of life cycles are grouped between 2-6 cycles per 24 hours. This means that already at this age, the baby can sleep 6 hours straight. To 3-4 months, the brain is sufficiently developed to consolidate the biological clock and the baby will sleep at night prioritized on sleep during the day. At this age, you may notice periods of uninterrupted sleep 9 hours up to 12 hours to six months of age.
Suitable environment
Several factors are involved to optimize the quality and quantity of sleep for your baby. Firstly, it is important to ensure a proper environment.
The dark and quiet
Many babies get used to sleeping in difficult noise. It should also ensure that the room is very dark to prevent outside light from disturbing sleep. Some parents go up to caulk the windows of the room to avoid the morning light comes awaken their child too early.
Ambient temperature and humidity
There is also the ambient temperature affects the quality of sleep. The room temperature should remain between 18 to 20 degrees C with a humidity of 30-40%. A room that is too hot often impairs the quality of sleep and this may cause awakenings during the night. It is best to dress your baby with warm pajamas especially if frequently found by moving the night.
Nursery
Also, it is recommended that the baby sleep in his own room. Of course, when the infant is breastfed frequently at night, it may be easier and more convenient to keep it close. But when it grows and food needs decrease, his bedroom is the most appropriate place to promote good sleep. If you do not have a choice and your baby should sleep in your room, it is advisable to place a piece of furniture or a screen for the child not see you at nighttime awakenings. This may encourage them to ask you.
Biological rhythm and naps
Parents should be alert to signs of fatigue that their baby has. If you see rub your eyes, nose, or he yawns becomes sullen, this is a good time for bedtime. Some parents believe that we should wait as long as possible after the first signs "to make sure the baby to sleep faster." In fact, it is often the opposite. A child often becomes too tired and restless it may affect his sleep. It is better to determine an appropriate time to sleep which is based on the indices of fatigue and keep this time as stable as possible. This will help to strengthen its internal clock and facilitate its sleep and good sleep.
It must also ensure that the baby does not sleep too long day at the expense of sleep at night. It is suggested to prevent the nap lasts more than three hours and not more than 16h in the afternoon, especially after 6 months when the baby is only 2 naps in the day. Too long a nap often affects sleep at night, which may explain the situations where babies fall asleep very late at night. It should also prevent the baby falls asleep at dinner time (between 16h and 18h), not to compromise his sleep and sleep at night, especially around 3-4 months when the periods of uninterrupted sleep s 'longer.