Newborn not sleeping - Tips and tricks to get your baby sleep.

MY INFANT IS NOT SLEEPING 

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This is the most common problem faced by parents during the first few months of baby life. Even the mother and caretaker will have sleep problems. Even if the baby is sleeping throughout the night, baby sleep problems can still arise intermittently. 

In short... Dealing with sleeping is part of parenting. 

🔴 Age 0 to 3 month

After birth, the baby will sleep around 16 to 18 hour in a day. Most babies wake 2 to 3 times mostly during night because babies are awake during night in the womb of the mother. Also the baby is unaware of the day and night pattern. By the age of 3 month, the maximum baby settles into a pattern of sleeping more at night compared to day. However, they will wake up once or twice a night for feeding. 

Remember... Baby sleep is important for overall development 

🔴 Shall I share my bed? 

🔹 Yes.. Our Indian culture insists on sharing bed as it helps in the emotional nurture of the baby. Secure parenting of the baby with immediate response to their problems are the base of empathetic development. 

🔹 Lot of literature insists on sleeping babies in a safe next cot as it prevents sudden infant death syndrome.

In short... Every happy moment created for a child is another treasure of a lifetime. 

🔴 Why do some babies sleep less?

Some parents feel that their baby is not sleeping as they are awake during the night. If your baby is sleeping around 14 to 18 hour in a 24 hour- it means they are having adequate sleep. 

🔹 Need frequent feed

🔹 Gaseous problem 

🔹 Medical problems 

🔹 Disturbance in the room

🔹 Developmental problems 

Remember... Sometimes, there is no reason.

🔴 Developing a good sleep pattern 

Nurture good sleep habits from early infancy by helping them how to fall asleep and fall back to sleep if they wake up. 

❇️ Sign of tiredness -Sleeping time

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Watch for signals to understand when the baby wants to play or sleep. Developing routine is key in sleeping so parents must pick up early signs... 

🔹 Yawning 

🔹 Not want to play 

🔹 Rubbing the face or eyes

🔹 Jerky moment of arms & legs

🔹 Pulling hair

If you miss the sign of tiredness and don't settle down the baby for sleeping, your baby may get more alert & overtired. Now it becomes very hard to relax and sleep. 

If your baby is overtired

🔹 Crying 

🔹 Clenched fists

🔹 Glazed eyes. 

🔹 Difficult to calm down 

In short.... Spending quality time with the baby helps to pick up early signs and develop a perfect routine.

❇️ Develop bedtime routine 

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🔹 After understanding the baby's sleep pattern,  develop the routine for the baby. Make sure that you are trying to make the baby sleep more at night compared to day. Don't force a sleep pattern at least till 3 month of age.

🔹 Feed the baby before putting them to sleep to avoid getting up often at night for a feed. 

🔹 Try one of the method 

▪️ Maximum babies sleep well if wrapped firmly in a thin cotton cloth. The wrap should not be too tight and must allow chest wall movement and arm or leg little bit movement.

▪️Oil massage before night sleep. Avoid body massage every time before sleep. 

️ Rock in the pram or arm for a few minutes.

▪️ Put a baby in a cot, pat him with his hand for a few minutes.

▪️ Use soft music or vibration noise from the washing machine for a few minutes. 

🔹 Make sure the baby is wrapped according to room temperature. Make sure the baby is a little bit warm, not too hot or cold. 

▪️ If room temperature is low, add woolen blanket 

▪️ If the room is high, don't add anything above the baby. 

🔹 As soon as the baby sleeps, try to keep her slightly away from you so she learns to sleep independently. Attend immediately if she cries for help. 

In short... The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine 

🔴 My baby is not sleeping 

There are few problems during first 3- month like

❇️ Baby sleep during the day 

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🔹 Teach them differences between day and night. The baby should understand that when it's dark, it's time to sleep. 

Example: Whenever a baby wakes up at night for feeding or diaper change,   solve the baby problem without switching on the light. 

If the baby cries for your company after feeding or diaper change, respect her emotions and spend quality time with baby. 

🔹 As baby complete 2 month, try to wake up baby during the day if her sleep is not deep. 

🔹 If the baby routine is set, try to wake up 15 minutes early or put to sleep 15 minutes late during the day. 

Remember.. If your baby sleep well during the day and awake at night, keep patience as it is temporary 

❇️ Restless sleep

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If your baby is restless during the sleep, look for the following... 

🔹 Baby is hungry 

▪️ If she is demanding feed frequently then you should provide breast for a longer time.

▪️ Some baby sleep while feeding so they need frequent feed. Either provide frequent feed or wake up the baby by hitting slowly on leg for continuing the feed. 

🔹 Poor environmental condition 

▪️Make sure the baby is not too cold or hot. Adjust baby according to room temperature as discussed. 

▪️Avoid mobile or TV or moment in the bed room

▪️ Avoid mosquito or flies in the room 

🔹 Diaper problem 

▪️ Change diaper as soon as baby poops or passes urine.

▪️ Some babies are uncomfortable in commercial diapers so avoid it. 

In short... If parents spend quality time with the baby, they fill find out the cause. 

🔴 Take care of yourself

🔹 If possible, stay as long as possible at maternal side or at least for 6 month. 

🔹 Sleep whenever baby sleep or at least take rest. 

🔹 Take proper diet

🔹 Do little exercise or walking or yoga. 

In short.... If you don't take care of your body, your body won't take care of you.

🙏🏻🙏🏻 If you like this blog, please share with other mothers and friends

Remember..... Gaining knowledge is first step to wisdom and sharing it is first step to humanity 


Dr Ashish Agrawal, Paediatrician and expert in child behavior, education and developmental problems.

Ph: 8888126037, 7057551985

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