Baby’s Sleep In The First Three Months

The birth of a child affects the lives of parents in many ways, one of which is a change in sleep rhythm and a decrease in hours slept. Today, we’ll talk about what a baby’s sleep is like in the first three months, and find out why a toddler’s sleep rhythm is so irregular.

Baby sleep during the first three months

Every baby is unique, even in their sleep rhythm. For example, you can see how all the children in a family can be completely different from each other in their sleeping habits. Each child has their own special characteristics and rhythms. However, there are certain common traits that appear in a baby’s sleep during his first three months. We will look at these next.

The baby’s sleep consists of two stages

During the first three months, the baby’s sleep consists of two phases, namely the REM and non-REM phases. It is perfectly normal for a baby to wake up often at this age. Waking up helps to avoid too low blood sugar while helping to maintain breast milk production. Another reason for a baby to wake up is the low capacity of the stomach. A child’s stomach fills up and empties quickly, which is why he needs to eat every few hours. In addition, while awake, the baby becomes familiar with its environment and its brain development receives stimulation.

Sleep begins with the REM phase

The fact that the baby’s sleep begins with the REM phase means that the child gets better physical rest during the day as well. At this stage of sleep, the brain structures what it has learned, at which point the human mind develops.

Sleep consists of several episodes

When we talk about a baby’s ultradian or periodic sleep, it means that the baby can’t yet distinguish between day and night. In this case, some babies sleep more during the day, while other babies sleep at night. This is very common during the first three months of a baby.

The baby’s sleep can be divided into several periods throughout the day. An adult’s sleep often occurs in one or two episodes. This means that we sleep mainly at night and may take short naps during the day. During the first three months of the baby, the parents and usually the mother in particular adapt to the child’s sleep rhythm. When the baby is sleeping, the mother is also allowed to rest a little. This is important so that the mother has enough energy to care for, nurture and feed the baby.

How can parents help regulate a baby’s sleep?

Many experts agree that when feeding a baby at night, the lights should be dim and other stimuli should be kept to a minimum. This promotes the baby’s rest, and the baby may not wake up as often. Here are some tips to help you regulate your baby’s circadian rhythm.

1. If the baby’s diaper needs to be changed at night, do so as carefully as possible and try not to move the baby as little as possible.
2. If you need light for night sucking, use a very soft light or night light.
3. Be quiet when breastfeeding your baby.
4. Put the baby asleep in his cradle or crib.
5. Try to feed your baby for the last time around 11 p.m. This way, you can try to stretch your baby’s sleep cycle so that the next time you wake up, your baby will eat between five and six o’clock. This also helps parents get rest.
6. Give your baby enough stimulation during the day and let the child see daylight. Play with the baby and do not avoid noise unnecessarily, as it is good for the baby to get used to the sounds. This way, you help your baby separate day and night.
7. It is normal for a newborn not to fall asleep immediately when you put him or her to sleep. Can take 30-50 minutes before the baby falls into a deep sleep. During this time, the baby may cry as well as crave and stroke. They help the baby to relax and thus fall asleep.