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In the early days of your baby’s life, the nights are as hectic as the days. Mothers complain about the lack of sleep for a good reason — you barely get a few minutes of shut-eye, and your baby wakes you up again. While this is normal during the first few stages of a baby’s life, it doesn’t have to be this way as your baby grows older (1).
Yes, pulling an all-nighter is not something that lasts forever. You’ll be surprised to know that, on average, a baby should ideally be sleeping through the night, undisturbed, by the time they are six months old. Some babies take longer than others, while some may begin sleeping better earlier. If your baby doesn’t seem to be sleeping through the whole night, despite being older than six months, then you’re probably guilty of these baby bedtime mistakes! (2). Keep reading to find out:
1. Maintaining An Inconsistent Bedtime Routine
With routine comes a sense of predictability and habit. Prepping your kiddo and putting them to sleep at the same time every night will condition them to sleep at a healthy, consistent time without any disturbances. Let’s say at seven every night; you begin the whole bedtime routine of giving them a warm bath, getting them changed into nightclothes, feeding them, and then singing them a song or reading them a book. Soon after, you put your baby to sleep.
When you do this every day, your baby begins to take cues that indicate it is time to sleep. When you give them a warm bath and change their clothes, they’ll know that it is time to hit the sack. Not having a routine in place, on the other hand, can throw babies off.
2. Letting Them Sleep All Day Long
First things first, let’s talk about babies and sleep. We know that being a baby pretty much means enjoying a snooze fest for the whole day, but it is best to keep a tab on how much they sleep during the day. They sleep so much for a reason — seventy percent of their growth hormones are produced during sleep (3). So, they need to be sleeping when they want to. So the idea is not to wake them up when they are sleeping. Instead, you could focus on prolonging the time they stay awake. So, the next time your baby is in the mood for some mama-time, make full use of it. Extend playtime for a few more minutes, and your baby will enjoy better sleep at night.
3. Showing Up Every Time They Stir
As mommas, we tend to worry all the time about our babies — even when they show the slightest signs of discomfort, we run to them in worry and anxiety. So, it is only common that when your baby stirs or fusses at night, you rush to their side to soothe and comfort them. While it is necessary to be there when they cry so you can find out why your baby is in distress, there is no need to show up when your baby stirs or fusses. The truth is that your child should learn to self-soothe without your intervention. The first few times they stir or fuss, as hard as it might be, ignore them. Soon enough, they will self-soothe and go back to sleep.
4. Letting Them Sleep Anywhere
At night, your baby must sleep in their crib, bassinet, or bed. Do not put your baby to sleep on the couch, on your bed, or the floor. If you travel a lot, the chances are that your baby sleeps a lot in the car. If this is the case, they may find it difficult to sleep in their crib as they have associated the car with sleep. If such is the case, invest in a portable bassinet or crib, so your baby can sleep safely in this when you are on the road. Just like how a consistent bedtime routine is essential, you should also maintain a standard sleep area for your child.
5. Long Feeding Sessions At Night
During the early stages of a baby’s life, it is normal to wake up every two to three hours to feed. On the one hand, they wake up to feed, and on the other, they wake up again for a diaper change. The eat-poop-repeat cycle can go on all night, which is why most parents end up pulling an all-nighter. However, as babies grow older, the number of feeding sessions, particularly at night, need not be as long or as much as they used to be.
As your baby grows older, you can completely do away with nighttime feedings or nursings. If your baby wakes up at night to feed, put them back to sleep instead of feeding them; this should help wean off nighttime feeding sessions. Check with the doctor to confirm when it is okay to stop nighttime feeding sessions (4).
6. Is It Day? Is It Night? Stop Confusing Your Baby!
It is best to ensure that night and day look like they should be, so your baby isn’t confused or disturbed. During the night, you may want the lights on to keep a watch on your baby or to give them a feeling of security — this is not recommended. Instead, you can keep a night lamp that is warm and dim. Similarly, ensure that the room is bright and well-light during the day. This way, your baby will understand that night is for sleep.
Avoiding the above-mentioned baby bedtime mistakes can, perhaps, pave the way for better sleep. Both you and your baby should ideally be well-rested at night to keep the cranky away during the day! Are you guilty of these bedtime mistakes? Let us know in the comments below!
