A few days ago we analyzed a little the night awakenings of children to try to normalize the nights and explain that sleep is an evolutionary process that changes naturally until reaching almost adult sleep at the age of 5-6 years.
This does not mean that we cannot do anything so that, in an uninvasive way and without modifying the natural patterns of babies, they allow us to sleep a little better to the parents.
Start this series of entries with the intention of publicizing the various tips that are usually given or followed to try to sleep a little better explaining why they are recommended or why they are not recommended.
Know the reality
Before looking for solutions, we must assess the extent to which a problem exists. It is advisable to make a record of the dream and its awakenings (writing down on a paper the hours you sleep at night, the naps and the moments when you are awake). In this way we will know the reality and we can be more or less critical of the objectives.
This recommendation is based on the fact that parents usually verbalize a greater number of awakenings and sleep-related problems than they actually exist.
We must be realistic and assess whether the sum of hours we have registered is normal or not. It is possible that he wakes up, but if we add the moments in which they sleep we will see that the predictions are usually fulfilled and that, in spite of everything, they sleep what they need.
- Between birth and two months they sleep between 12 and 16 hours, producing half the sleep during the day.
- From three to six months they sleep about 10-15 hours, being between 30% and 40% daytime sleep.
- Between six and nine months they sleep about 11-14 hours and usually take two or three naps for the day.
- Between nine and eighteen months they sleep 10-13 hours and tend to eliminate some more naps.
- Between the year and a half and three years they sleep about 9.5-12 hours, still taking a nap.
Follow your child's signs
In the record that we have noted we will see, for a few days, at what time they usually sleep.
We must be clear that they do not always fall asleep at the same time and that, depending on the naps you have taken during the day, you will have more or less sleep at night, but there is usually a certain tendency to sleep in a certain time slot.
It is possible that before that time he gave signs of sleep. If so, it is better Take advantage of those moments to put him to bed.
If after these signs of sleep you are still awake, it is likely that you will "screw up", get even more nervous and then it will take more sleep.
It takes 15-20 minutes for children to fall asleep, if we see that this time is lengthening and that our baby (or child) is still awake, he is probably not sleepy.
If you also have a similar waking schedule in the morning, but someday you don't wake up and we suspect that this will make you fall asleep later in the night, we can wake you up with music, with light, singing, caressing you. Always something soft (so that those undesirable moments of our childhood are not repeated when the sheet and blanket were removed, argggg!).
The environment
The child's environment and the moments before bed should be as calm as possible. Low noise, dim light, relaxed activities, adequate temperature (excessive heat or cold make it difficult to fall asleep).
It is complicated, because many adults come home at night, with lots of things to do, wanting to hug and punch our children, which coincide precisely with the moment they usually start to get sleepy.
Bathing before bedtime is a very widespread routine as a recommendation and very valid for some children who really do relax after bathing. However, there are other children who are bothered by them, make them cry or have fun in such a way that leaves them active and clear. If our son belongs to the second group it is better to bathe it in another time of the day
Stress and anxiety
There is a phrase by Rosa Jové that summarizes this point: "Let us give our children quiet days and they will have quiet nights."
This does not mean that children do not have to run, play and let off steam, much less, but avoid those situations in which hurry and stress manage our lives as they will directly affect those of our children and the moments of falling asleep. .
I know that you are left wanting more, but by extension (and so that your eyes rest, from so much reading) I have divided the subject. In a few days we keep commenting what can we do to make them sleep a little better.
