Must-Read for New Parents! How to Help Your Baby Sleep Soundly (A to Z of Creating Sleep Habits)
"Are you living in zombie mode because your baby wakes up and cries every night?"
This is a story that any parent raising a newborn can relate to. A baby's sleep is very important not only for the parents' condition but also for the baby's growth and development. But how can we help our baby sleep soundly through the night? Today, we will explore some key ways to create healthy sleep habits for your baby.
1. Why Is a Baby's Sleep Different? Understanding Comes First!
Unlike adults, babies have short sleep cycles and alternate between deep and light sleep. In particular, newborns repeatedly sleep and wake up regardless of day or night, adjusting their biological rhythms. Therefore, it is important to accept that it is natural for babies not to sleep through the night for the first few months. Understanding your baby's sleep patterns will help you understand why they wake up often and how to help them.
2. Create a Consistent 'Sleep Ritual'
It is important to consistently send your baby the signal that "it's time to sleep." Before going to bed every day, try conducting a 'sleep ritual' in a consistent order for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Example:
- Taking a bath
- Lotion/oil massage
- Changing into pajamas
- Reading a book or singing a lullaby in a quiet atmosphere
- Turning off the lights and laying down
The key is to proceed every day, in the same order, calmly. The goal is to help your baby feel secure and prepare for sleep.
3. Create the Optimal Sleep Environment
Creating an environment where your baby can sleep comfortably is also very important.
- Light: Make it as dark as possible! (Use blackout curtains, use a nursing lamp for nighttime feedings)
- Sound: Utilize 'white noise' (Use a white noise machine/app, maintain a safe volume)
- Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a room temperature of 20-24 degrees Celsius (68-75°F) and humidity of 40-60% (Wear thin clothes + swaddle/baby sleeping bag)
- Safety:
- Do not place fluffy blankets, pillows, or dolls in the crib (risk of suffocation)
- Always lay the baby on their back to sleep (Back to Sleep)
4. Don't Miss Sleepy Cues & Adjust Awake Time
It is important to catch the 'sleepy cues' that your baby sends (rubbing eyes, yawning, fussing, etc.) and put them to bed before they get too tired. It also helps to keep the 'wake window' appropriate for your baby's age.
5. Help Your Baby 'Practice Falling Asleep Alone' (Optional)
Before your baby falls completely asleep, you can try practicing laying them down in a 'sleepy but still awake' state. This is a process to help your baby learn to calm down and fall asleep on their own. There are various methods (e.g., the fading method, the pick-up/put-down method), so find a method that suits your baby and parents. (However, it is not recommended for very young newborns, and sufficient attachment formation should be prioritized.)
Concluding
Creating baby sleep habits requires consistency and patience. Patterns may be disrupted even when they sleep well at times, so don't be impatient.
What is most important is to take care of tired parents. Help each other and recharge your energy by taking breaks even for a short time. Under healthy and happy parents, babies can feel secure and sleep well.
We wish you and your baby a comfortable night tonight!
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