Help babies sleep soundly

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Quoc Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

It is not uncommon for babies to gurgle and sleep at night, making both the baby and the parents feel tired. However, there are still some ways parents can apply to help babies sleep longer.

1.1. Duration of Sleep Usually, a newborn's total sleep time in a day is 16 hours or more, but they are often divided into several times and each nap is quite short, lasting only a few hours. A newborn's sleep can be very erratic at first, but the sleep schedule will settle into a steady pattern for longer periods of time as your baby matures. The bigger your baby is, the more milk will be produced and the longer it will stay full, so babies don't need to wake up between naps because they're hungry.
Although every baby is different, in general most 3 - 4 month old babies can sleep at least 5 hours at a time. During the first year of life, your baby will begin to sleep an average of about 10 hours a night.
1.2. A safe sleep Newborns need to sleep in the same room as their parents but are required to be in a separate crib or bassinet for at least the first 6 months and possibly up to 1 year. One study found that following this rule could reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Baby needs to sleep alone in a structured crib / bassinet designed specifically for infants. Adult beds are not safe for new born babies because they can:
Get caught between the headboard bars. Fall into the space between the mattress and the bed frame or between the mattress and the wall. Suffocation due to accidentally covering the nose and mouth while the parents are sleeping.

During the first few months after birth, having to breastfeed in the middle of the night will definitely disrupt the sleep of both the baby and the parents. In order to help babies sleep better from the first days, parents should refer to and implement some of the following tips:
Create a habit of going to bed on time Playing and making too loud noises in the evening can It can make it difficult for your baby to sleep. At the correct bedtime each day, parents should bring the baby into a quiet separate room. If the baby is not too tired, you can try bathing, cuddling, singing soft tunes or reading books, telling stories to your baby. After seeing that the baby has calmed down, the parent can gently leave the room.
Put the baby in the crib / bassinet when preparing to sleep Instead of holding the baby to lull, parents let the infant get used to the bed during the process of falling asleep. Be sure to put your baby on his or her back and empty the blankets, pillows, and other soft and light items in your baby's crib or bassinet for safety.
Patiently wait for baby to settle down Newborns may fuss or cry before finding a comfortable position and falling asleep. If the baby still won't stop crying, parents should check in to see if something is wrong, then comfort the baby for a while and leave the room. Sometimes babies just need to see their parents to feel more secure and then automatically fall asleep.
Give your baby a pacifier If an infant is fussy and can't sleep, sucking on a pacifier can be effective. In fact, some studies show that using a pacifier during sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Gentle care at night When the baby needs care or feeding in the middle of the night, parents should only turn on the dim lights, talk in between and gently move. This will help your baby understand that this is the time to fall asleep and resume unfinished sleep.
Respect the baby's habits If the new-born child often stays up late or always gets up very early, parents should also consider adjusting their own habits and living mode accordingly for convenience in baby care.

For a family that has just had a small member born, it is not only the newborn's sleep that needs attention, but more than that, the parents - who directly take care of the child must also be rested. full. This will help parents avoid burnout and always keep the energy to accompany the baby. Many parents are so tired that they can fall asleep at any time, but there are also people who do not easily fall asleep.
Some of the following suggestions can help first-time parents get as much sleep as possible:
Sleep when baby sleeps When babies sleep well, parents should also adjust their phones Switch to quiet mode and put aside unfinished housework to take advantage of rest. Ensuring health is always a top priority.
Get help When friends and family visit, it's not necessary for parents to receive them as well as they used to. Instead, you can ask someone you trust to look after the baby for a while.
Do not let the baby sleep in the same bed Parents can put the baby in the same bed to feed or comfort the baby, but need to bring the baby back to the crib / bassinet when the parents have to go to sleep.
Segregation of duties If possible, arrange a schedule with your partner that allows each person to take turns resting and taking turns caring for the baby.
Calm down when your baby cries Sometimes, parents need to let their baby stop crying. Unless there is a suspicion that an infant is crying because of hunger or discomfort, parents should let the baby soothe himself when he cries for no reason.
Avoid factors that make it difficult to sleep Nicotine from cigarettes, caffeine from coffee or energy drinks, and alcohol should not be consumed while parents are caring for the baby, especially at night. Instead, keep the bedroom just dark, quiet and cool to help tired parents sleep better.
When you can't sleep If you've been in bed for a while and still can't fall asleep, you can get out of bed to do some relaxing things like reading a book, then go back to bed when you feel comfortable. sleepy.
Taking the time to understand your baby's routine and desires through crying can be a cue for parents to help their newborn sleep better. If you are worried that there is an unusual problem when the infant sleeps frequently, or even the parent's own insomnia, it is advisable to talk to the doctor to find the optimal solution. In summary, the quality of infant sleep is not a measure of parenting skills, so it should not be stressed because it can easily lead to depression. Besides, taking good care of yourself - including getting enough sleep - will help parents be able to take care of their baby in the most effective way.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. Master. Dr. Vu Quoc Anh has nearly 10 years of experience as a resident doctor and treating doctor at Hue Central Hospital and Danang Children's Hospital. Currently, he is a Pediatrician - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Article referenced source: Mayoclinic.org