A restless baby can be really difficult to manage. If a baby does not sleep sufficiently during the day and the night time, there is probably a reason that you should figure out. Normally, newborn babies sleep a lot. They keep themselves busy in their own way! If your nipper is struggling to sleep during the bedtime, you must probably pick up a reason for it.
Why the baby is restless and not sleepy – The common reasons:
- Feeling hungry
- Thirsty
- Wet nappy
- Bloating stomach
- Need for movement
- Teething needs
- Sickness
- Hyperactivity disorder
If you are able to find out the correct way to make your restless baby to sleep, you would probably be at peace. If rattling, cuddling and changing positions don’t work, do give a major attention to the little being.
Why do babies need to sleep more?
Not only newborn, but the teenagers, toddlers and mid-age children also sleep more than the adults. Proper sleep supports the physical and mental stimulation. Some of the parents might find it absurd to find their babies sleeping more than 16 hours in a day. However, talking medically, it’s absolutely fine if he/she does so. In fact, the more your baby sleeps during the initial months, the better it is.
Babies are prone to hyperactivity because of which they feel tired and fall asleep multiple times in a day. The ones who have relatively lesser sleep must be consulted by the pediatricians. The sleep disorders must not be ignored as it is a symptom of a serious health disorder.
How to make your restless baby to sleep?
All the mothers perform several kinds of rituals to make their tots fall asleep. No matter how busy day you had, the sleep of your baby should be your first propriety. A baby who snoozes aptly gives a sigh to the mother. The little human deserves at least 13 hours of sleep for the first three months. The frequent sleep durations throughout the day can range from 1-2 hours at a time. Smaller tummies cannot spend more sleeping hours. Hence, it is quite common for the baby to become proactive in the middle of the night. In such a case, you should always keep some food ready!
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How can I get my baby to sleep? is the first question of every mother. Let’s get some valuable tips from the leading pediatricians:
1. Find the main reason
Babies often try to communicate with their parents. Although they can’t talk, but they really enjoy when parents pamper and talk to them. Communication would let you know when your baby is losing interest in other things and feeling grumpy. The moment you ignore those symptoms of tiredness, he/she will become over tired and harder to steal. Hence, keep communicating with them to identify when they actually want to sleep.
2. The lullaby
Babies enjoy the bedtime lullaby and also become habituated for the same. If you have integrated the habit of making your baby sleep by singing a lullaby, do not expect them to sleep on their own. You`ll have to sing for them in order to make them realize that it’s their sleeping time. The lullaby acts as the sleeping clock for the tots.
3. Bring motion toys
The little pram can have a moving toy as an attachment. You can hang something that rotates on its own. The baby would fall asleep while watching it moving. Medically it is observed that motions lull the newborn to sleep. You can also try a motion chair or swinging cribs that would allow them to drift off sooner.
4. Nappy change
Make your restless baby to sleep by identifying the wet diaper which might be irritating him. You can sometimes switch to homemade nappies instead of diapers to give a softer feel to the fragile skin.
5. Co-sleep
This is the biggest hack to make your restless baby to sleep! The baby always wants to lie down with some he loves. It has been found that the restless babies who share sleep with mothers are healthier and happier. Try to sleep with the baby and put a pillow beside when you get up. Ensure that they keep feeling that someone is sleeping with them.
6. Try a random feed
Sometimes you think that the last supper or milk bottle your baby consumed was enough. However, the frequent waste discharge and hyperactivity would drain all the energy much faster than you think. The baby would constantly cry and feel restless if he/she is hungry. Try to feed the baby at random. Who knows your baby was really hungry. Soon after the hunger deprives, the baby would sleep well.
7. Switch on a night bulb
Babies love bright things. Even if it is night, they do not mind sleeping in a bright tube light. So, if you want to make your restless baby to sleep faster, switch on a colored or plain light bulb that would keep them attracted. Most of the babies fall asleep while staring at the Tube lights and night bulbs on their own. Darkness scares the nippers. Avoid trying to make your restless baby to sleep in a dark room.
8. Use an extra blanket
You think that the blanket with which you covered the tot was enough to evacuate the cold? Well; the babies are really delicate. They need more layers of coverings to make the snug. Try to put an extra sheet of warm blanket underneath the baby. The moment your baby would stop feeling cold, he/she will go off to sleep without feeling restless.
9. Take the help of your partner
Ideally, the baby must get the help of both the parents during the night time to sleep faster. The nanny or the mother cannot handle the responsibility alone. The working parents must cooperate to pacify the baby and delegate the responsibilities with utmost understanding.
10. Keep a jovial atmosphere
The little baby remains like a safe cocoon in the mother`s womb for the full nine months. The external atmosphere is somewhat difficult for them to bear. Keep yourself calm and the surroundings happy to make the little family member cozy. Gradually the baby will develop certain sleeping patterns that would reduce your task of managing the baby`s sleep.
The baby is not going to face sleeping struggles for eternity as everything will eventually get resolved. Patience is the biggest tool for making the baby sleep faster, Don’t lose tranquility and start hammering to make your restless baby to sleep. Also, do not leave them crying for a longer length of time. The tiny people probably need extra care and concern then you can afford to give them.
Shell says
These are excellent tips for new mamas 🙂 it’s been a long time since my boys were this little 🙂
Lisa says
These are all great tips! I will have to give some of them a try with my baby! thanks!
XO-Lisa
Cristine says
Those early days were always so hard. Babies can’t tell you what’s wrong.
Daneisha says
It funny because I just had this problem last night with my almost 2 year. Our night time routine consists of dinner, bath time, reading a book, milk, and then lights out (we cosleep). He usually falls asleep immediately. But for some reason, last night, his little butt would not go to sleep. He wanted to sit up and play. I tried to lay him on my chest, then lay him beside me. He just wasn’t having it. To be honest, once I just turned over and pretended to go to sleep while he was sitting up beside me, he just slowly laid on my back and fell asleep. Kids are so interesting that way.
Margaret Stuart says
I don’t have babies around that need sleeping. But as an adult child myself, I agree that we need more sleep than our parents. I’m 22 and still need more sleep than my parents.
Lynn Woods says
I don’t have kids but will share thus with my sister. Sometimes my niece has trouble sleeping.
Talha Ishaq says
Love your writing and tips. Thanks for sharing.
Ophelia Tang says
I love your tips. They are so helpful. I am sure some of my friends would love to read this. Thanks for sharing.
RikaConfesses says
My baby won’t be born for another couple of months, but my sisters swear by the swaddle outfits – or baby
straight jackets, as i like to call them.
Shelby says
Honestly, half the time I find it’s a diaper change lol good roundup though! Always best to try a bit of everything unto you find your babe/toddlers system 🙂
Sapana says
Great Tips ! Co-Sleep is very essential for the baby!
Jill says
Thank you! Yes, Sapana you are right.
Nakeya says
Great tips, I will be using them with my 8 month old as I try to ween her out of my bed.
Jill says
Thank you, Nakeya!….. All the best 😉