Can't get my baby to sleep at night. How to put a baby to sleep: effective methods and tricks. Why daytime sleep is needed

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When a child is born, he or she has two basic needs - regular food intake and a healthy, full sleep. As in everything else, the baby is still too helpless to satisfy his needs on his own, which means that helping him fall asleep easily without being overexcited and without overworking is the responsibility of a young mother, just like feeding. Unfortunately, not all neonatologists and pediatricians pay enough attention to advising on the organization and establishment of a healthy daily routine for an infant. We will fill this gap and tell you in detail how to put the baby to sleep, what secrets of our mothers and grandmothers can be adopted, and which ones are better to refuse, we will consider the main mistakes of young parents and help you enjoy happy motherhood in peace.

What prevents the baby from sleeping

Your baby is fed and dressed, his cradle is charming and resembles a cozy nest, household members walk on tiptoe, neighbors talk in whispers, and even noisy children in the yard have received a strict order not to play under your windows. But despite all the efforts, the baby does not want to fall asleep. And even after, with the joint efforts of mom, dad and both grandmothers, the baby is finally sent to the side, the blissful silence is again broken by a cry - the child immediately woke up, and it's time to start the motion sickness procedure again.

If the baby fell asleep - it's too early to rejoice! He can wake up again in 10 minutes 😉

When you were discharged from the hospital, you were probably warned that the first 4 weeks the newborn would not be awake at all much, waking up only for feeding and changing clothes. But as it turns out already at home, no one told how difficult it is to put a baby to sleep - and now the day is confused with the night, and the promised 20 hours of sweet baby sleep have turned into endless screams with short breaks. And then you realize that neither the mobile with teddy bears bought in advance, nor the baby blue wallpaper specially selected for the nursery saves. Something persistently wakes up your baby.

Young children grow during wakefulness and during sleep, so for many mothers the question remains how to put the baby to sleep. Babies sleep much more than adults and even more than children three or four years older than them. At this stage of development, the main work of the child is to grow and develop, and this requires a lot of strength and good rest.

If the baby does not get enough sleep, this can adversely affect the development of the nervous system. Problems with the nervous system affect the rest of the body's systems.

A child's healthy sleep is a guarantee of future family relationships and the opportunity to fully devote oneself to the child during his waking hours.

As a rule, it is not difficult for an infant to fall asleep. Newborn children get a lot of impressions from the new, bright world around them, their perception of reality is very different from how adults perceive the world, so after eating and walking, babies fall asleep peacefully.

On average, an infant sleeps about eighteen hours a day, waking up due to the manifestation of physiological needs. If the baby's sleep is much shorter, the child wakes up and often screams - other causes of discomfort are possible.

The most common causes of discomfort are:

  • too high or too low air temperature in the nursery;
  • under the age of three months, colic is a common cause of sleep disturbance;
  • allergic nasal congestion or chronic rhinitis (chronic rhinitis can be cured);
  • the presence of blood-sucking insects in the room;
  • the child has headaches;
  • the onset of an infectious disease, high body temperature;
  • lack of parental attention, feeling of insecurity;
  • the child is hungry or thirsty;
  • the child's clothes are uncomfortable, rubbing or made of materials that irritate the skin;
  • the child wet or soiled the diaper, diaper (cold and irritation).

On average, a newborn baby under the age of three months sleeps seventeen to eighteen hours a day, from three months to six months sleep lasts up to fifteen hours a day. The older the child, the more time he is in a state of wakefulness, but still needs daytime sleep for a long time.

How to put the baby to sleep so that the baby falls asleep quickly and calmly? In order to put your baby to sleep, there are time-tested factors that are good for young children.

Most often, experienced mothers advise:

Swaddle the baby should be very careful not to tighten too much. At the age of up to three months, babies often wake themselves up in a dream, and therefore diapers, gently restraining movement, help to fall asleep. Not all parents agree with the benefits of this method, but there are alternative ways to put the baby to sleep.

Prolonged motion sickness should also not be too zealous. If the child becomes very accustomed to motion sickness in his arms (and his weight will continue to grow), after a short time he will have to be weaned. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong or contraindicated in falling asleep on the mother’s chest. This has a good effect on strengthening the relationship between the child and the mother and develops the baby's vestibular apparatus.

Rituals, like constant actions, explain to the baby what exactly the mother will do next. Rituals calm not only small children, but also adults and even the elderly.

If the same actions are repeated day after day before going to bed (such as eating, then bathing, a fairy tale or song, and then sleeping), the baby will be sure of what will happen next. In addition, this is how the daily routine is formed.

Some mothers put babies to sleep with them and believe that this way the child will sleep much better. This method can be explained by the fact that during fetal development, the child gets used to the proximity of the mother's heart and its rhythm, which calms and creates the effect of security after birth.

During daytime sleep, the baby can sleep in the crib, but for a long night's sleep he is transferred to the bed with his parents. After six months, it is desirable that both day and night the baby gets used to falling asleep on its own.

A baby gets tired much faster than an adult or even older children; bright and new events constantly occur in his life, from which rest is necessary.

After a rich impression of walking, talking with parents and a hard day, the baby needs a good night's sleep. If the baby is not sick, then, subject to some recommendations, he will fall asleep calmly, which will give him and his parents strength for the next full day.

If the baby has no health problems, he is not bothered by colic or a cold, then if these simple rules are observed, he will quickly fall asleep.

It is worth noting that boys (most often) ask to go to the toilet much more often, this is normal. The need for a diaper change and going to the potty depends on the size of the bladder and is an individual feature. If during urination there is no discomfort and pain, then you should not worry.

At an early age, the child needs mother's milk, but falling asleep during feeding will eventually have to be weaned. This does not mean that the baby needs to be completely torn off the breast. Breastfeeding best contributes to the growth and development of the child and has a good effect on the formation of the correct bite of the baby and the formation of the jaw (pacifiers and nipples, on the contrary, have a bad effect on the bite, since the baby almost does not use any effort during sucking).

Experienced mothers are advised to pay attention to several factors when weaning a newborn to fall asleep during feeding:

As a rule, weaning and motion sickness before bed passes quickly enough, within a week, if you are adamant.

Mom should be prepared for the fact that the baby will be capricious at first and demand what she usually received before bedtime.

If the baby does not fall asleep in any way and screams a lot, you need to seek help from a pediatrician.

The ritual of putting their baby to bed for many parents turns into a real test. Moms and dads go to various tricks, and the children flatly refuse to fall asleep, cry and do not compromise. Our article will talk in detail about how to put a child to sleep without tears and tantrums. All you have to do is read the information provided carefully.

The psyche of children up to a year has its own characteristics. At this age, the little ones still cannot consciously relax and tune in to sleep. In this regard, feeling tired, the baby can be naughty, cry, not realizing that he just wants to sleep. Mom and dad should carefully monitor the condition of their child and learn to recognize in a timely manner that it is time to go to bed.


The first important rule is to put the child to bed as soon as he starts yawning and rubbing his eyes. It is at this moment that the process of falling asleep will be the easiest. Even if you have planned other activities for this time, for example, walking, bathing, feeding, you should not postpone sleep. If the little one "walks over", problems with falling asleep are guaranteed. If the baby is breastfed, he will easily calm down under the breast and fall asleep quickly. The artist can be given a bottle of formula. It is important to ensure that the nervous system of the baby is not overexcited. In such a situation, it will be quite difficult to put him to sleep.

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The second rule is a favorable environment for sleep. No need to turn on the TV or music loudly, or put the little one to sleep in a room that is too brightly lit. It is better to create a calm atmosphere, turn on classical music or a mobile phone, and close the curtains. Before going to bed, you can bathe the baby and give him a light relaxing massage. The temperature in the room must not exceed 25°C. The room must be well ventilated.

The third important rule is not to create a load on the baby's psyche before bedtime. Do not play too active games or turn on cartoons. It is better to read a fairy tale, listen to calm music or a cartoon lullaby. This will help the little one to quickly tune in to falling asleep. Do not forget, the baby must be full. If he falls asleep on an empty stomach, he will most likely wake up at night.


If a son or daughter wakes up in a dream, they are afraid of the dark, you can put a lamp in the room in the form of a starry sky projector. It has a calming effect on the psyche, helps to fall asleep faster.

Children under one year old still do not know how to express their desires, because they themselves do not understand what their body really requires. They cannot say this to mom and dad in words.


You can recognize that it's time to put the baby in the crib by the following signs:

  • The appearance of the peanut is changing. Movements become slower, eyes dim, dark circles appear under them, facial expressions change, the baby looks sleepy, he himself fits on a pillow or on the floor.
  • The child rubs his eyes, yawns.
  • The kid pulls his ear, hair, rubs his nose.
  • The look becomes frozen, the feeling that the baby is looking into nowhere, this often happens with severe fatigue.
  • The little man's mood deteriorates, he is naughty, does not want to play, refuses to eat. The baby reacts more emotionally to many things, cries over trifles.
  • The peanut becomes closed from surrounding people and peers, does not make contact, refuses to play.
  • Activity decreases, the child puts his head on a pillow or other objects.
  • Often the baby, on the contrary, becomes too excited, sometimes even aggressive.

Mom and dad should know what signs indicate that their child is tired. Noticing the first symptoms, they should hurry to put the baby to bed.

The question of how to properly lull a newborn or an older baby cannot be answered unambiguously. Some toddlers fall asleep perfectly under motion sickness, others under their mother's breasts, and others in the crib. Each baby is individual, so mom and dad should try to find an approach to their child.


We will only give you some general advice:

  • Most babies cannot sleep on an empty stomach. The baby should be well fed before going to bed. The exceptions are cases when, after a meal, a little man likes to play. In such a situation, it is better to feed him 1-1.5 hours before bedtime.
  • Sometimes the problem with going to bed in the evening is due to the fact that the child gets enough sleep at lunchtime. You should try to cut back on your naps. This often resolves the issue.
  • You need to go to bed on time. If you put a baby who has gone too far, then certain difficulties will certainly arise. If the baby has gone too far, it will be quite difficult to force him to go to bed. After all, he himself does not understand that it will be better for him.
  • A six or seven month old baby often wakes up at night to feed. In this regard, many mothers put their babies to sleep next to them. As soon as you can wean the little one from night feedings, his sleep will become longer and more restful.
  • For a one-month-old, two-month-old, three-month-old, four-month-old and five-month-old baby, you need to keep a pause between daytime and nighttime sleep for at least 3 hours. For toddlers from six months - 4 hours.

Do not forget that the quality of sleep and its duration is strongly influenced by the temperament of the child. Some sleep longer and more calmly, others sensitively and little. This is also due to the fact that the biological rhythms of young children have not yet been fully established.

It doesn’t matter if you have a monthly baby or it concerns a one-year-old toddler, there are some, proven over the years and experience, ways that help children fall asleep quickly. Many mothers use swaddling, lullabies or motion sickness.


Let's look at the most effective methods.

Fall asleep ritual

This method involves some action that the child repeats daily before bedtime. It can be a massage, a bath, reading a fairy tale, watching your favorite cartoon, any game. We must not forget that in this case it is necessary to take into account the age of the little one and the features of the development of his psyche. A baby can be taught to sleep by giving him a breast or using motion sickness. But for a preschooler, reading fairy tales is suitable. We have selected for you some examples of falling asleep rituals:

  • Putting your favorite doll or any other toy to bed. Mom and baby put the toy to bed, wish good night, after which the little one himself goes to bed. You can do this both before daytime and before going to bed at night. This is perfect for a two and three year old toddler who already knows how to play with their parents.
  • Children up to a month old can be massaged, bathed in a bath with the addition of herbs. With the daily repetition of such a ritual, the baby will develop a reflex. After receiving a relaxing massage and bathing in warm water, the baby will fall asleep very quickly.
  • Ritual of farewell to the sun. Every evening before sunset, you can bring the little one to the window and show how the sun sets, explain that animals and birds fall asleep, so it’s time for the kids to go to bed.
  • If a peanut who is 2, 3, 4 weeks old does not sleep with colic, it must be worn after feeding for 10-15 minutes in the arms in a horizontal position. This will help remove excess air from the stomach, therefore, colic will not torment the baby so much.
  • For a quick fall asleep, you can let your child hug your favorite toy, a bear, a hare, a tiger or another.
  • Another effective ritual is reading fairy tales. Already in the process of reading a book, the child will calm down, tune in to sleep.

It doesn't matter what ritual the parents use. For each crumb, you can choose your own traditions. The only thing to remember is that you can not use too active games and other techniques that excite the psyche of a little man.

Many women believe that if you constantly rock the baby, then he will not be able to fall asleep on his own. Of course, there is some truth in this, but when other methods fail, this one is also good. Sometimes the little ones sleep only when you shake them. This method can be used for healthy children, if they do not have any medical contraindications.


The advantage of this method is that it helps to restore the biological rhythm of the baby, to normalize his heartbeat. Let's figure out how to properly rock a baby:

  • Rocking should not be too rhythmic. You can do this while sitting on a fitball.
  • Mom's movements should be neat, smooth. This will help the baby to relax faster and sleep sweetly.
  • The little one should be comfortable in his mother's arms. It is necessary to maintain his head and back in the correct position.

We must not forget that this method of laying should be used only if necessary, since this habit can develop into mental dependence in infants.

Wondering why some children grind their teeth in their sleep? Then read.

Mom should remember that in some cases the child should be given the opportunity to fall asleep on their own. To do this, you just need to put the baby in the crib and leave the room.


Perhaps the little one will be dissatisfied with this course of events for some time, but, as practice shows, many children fall asleep on their own. If your child is crying, you can re-enter the room, calm him down and exit again. After several attempts, you will be successful.

Using a pacifier

Pacifiers are given to their children by many parents. It helps to satisfy the sucking reflex of the baby, which is especially developed between the ages of two and four months. If it is not possible to sleep the little one, you can offer him a pacifier. After he falls asleep, it is better to remove the pacifier.

The sucking reflex gradually fades by 7-8 months. By 12 months, it is better to completely abandon the dummy and choose other methods.

swaddling method

This method is especially relevant for crumbs of early age. Reflexes in a newborn are still poorly controlled by the brain. The little one can toss and turn in his sleep, twitch his arms and legs, so he sleeps restlessly. Swaddling will help prevent this. You need to wrap the child quite tightly, but not tight. At the same time, he gets the feeling that he is in his mother's womb, so the baby quickly falls asleep. If there are any contraindications to this procedure, it is better to refuse swaddling.

Soft music

Pediatricians do not recommend putting newborns and older children to bed in complete silence. Soothing music will help to lull and calm the baby. You can include classical music or a lullaby. As a rule, children who are used to sleeping with extraneous sounds sleep more soundly and wake up less often.

Each child must have their own bed. This place should be associated only with sleep, but in no case with a place for games. This will help create a close bond between the baby and the crib.


That is, if he lay down, he needs to sleep. If the mother puts the little one in the crib for the whole day, it is unlikely that he will quickly understand what this place is intended for.

Mom's caress

Positive emotions, mother's hugs and caress will help to put the little one to sleep in five minutes. In these moments, you need to devote all your attention to the child. This will help him calm down, relax, feel safe. Babies up to a year have a very high need for tactile sensations. That is why mother's caress is the best way to sleep a little one in a minute.

Self-sleeping techniques

Experts insist that parents need to teach their child to fall asleep on their own. After all, mom and dad teach the little one to walk, dress, eat, brush their teeth on their own. The techniques described below can be used in children aged 9 to 18 months. They will help boys and girls fall asleep not only at home, but also in the garden. So let's look at these methods.

Estiville's technique

This method involves falling asleep on your own (Spanish method), without motion sickness and attachment to the chest. Mom can be nearby, talk to the baby, stroke him, cover him with a blanket, but you can’t pick him up. It is possible that the little man will be naughty, get up in the crib, reach out to his mother, but you can’t give up. Parents should keep trying. Soon the baby will understand that his manipulations do not work and he will be able to fall asleep on his own. Suitable for babies up to six months and older.

Before going to bed, you need to give the baby a breast or a bottle with a mixture. After that, the baby needs to be shown a timer or watch and told that in 10 minutes the milk will end. After the call, the baby needs to be caressed and put to bed. It is possible that he will cry, but parents should be patient.


The timer is set to 10 minutes daily. After 3-5 days, its time is reduced to 4 minutes. This will help the little man get used to this regimen and sleep without tantrums. After you have given the breast for 4 minutes, you can read a fairy tale or sing a song. Gradually, the habit of sucking breast or mixture will be replaced by reading a fairy tale, and the little one will sleep without waking up.

"Explanation"

This technique is best suited for children from one and a half to three years. All parents have to do is come up with a story about why mom won't breastfeed or formula feed at night. For example, that the cow is sleeping or something else. Before going to bed, the baby needs to be well fed and once again reminded that there will be no milk at night. This helps the baby not wake up for night feeds.

"Fading"

You should try to replace the habit of sucking at the breast or a bottle of formula with any other, for example, reading a book, singing a lullaby, stroking. At the next stage of self-falling asleep, you can apply the "Explanation" technique. If the baby falls asleep for a long time, be patient. Soon you will be rewarded for your efforts.

The methodology is as follows:

  • On the first night, the baby is put to bed half an hour earlier, but the awakening is carried out in the same period.
  • The baby is placed in the crib and left the room. Do not immediately run to him if he cries.
  • If the baby is naughty for 5 minutes, you need to come up, calm him down and go out again.
  • The next time the parents leave the room for 10 minutes.

The next night, the interval between checks can be increased to 12-15 minutes. On the third day up to 20 minutes.


The considered technique can be applied to mentally healthy infants from four months.

How much should children of different ages sleep: table

Despite the fact that all children are different, there are certain limits on the duration of sleep for toddlers of different ages. The data can be found in the table.

Age in months Nighttime sleep/hours daytime sleep
Quantity Duration
1 15-18 3 8
3 14-16 2 5
6 12-14 2 3
12 1 2
2 years 13 1 2
3 years 11-13 1,5 1,5
5 years 10-11 1 1
From 7 years old 10 Not necessary

Of course, there are exceptions and at 5-6 years old children categorically refuse to sleep. In such a situation, you need to pay attention to the well-being of the little man. If he sleeps soundly at night and is active during the day, you do not need to force him to sleep. In the evening, too, do not put the children to bed early. The optimal time for this is 21-22 hours.

Komarovsky's rules for falling asleep quickly

Evgeny Olegovich Komarovsky is a well-known pediatrician who gives parents valuable advice not only on treating babies, but also in other areas. Let's look at a few simple rules for sound and healthy sleep.

Mom should clearly understand that the moral state of the baby is closely related to her personal well-being. That is, if she does not get enough sleep, it affects the baby. During daytime sleep, a woman should leave all business and devote time to rest.


Worries and troubles will wait, besides, you can ask dad or other relatives for help.

clear mode

No matter how capricious a child is, he should have a clear schedule of sleep and wakefulness. This will not only make his life easier, but also the life of his parents. At the same time, it is extremely important that this routine coincides with the biological rhythms of the baby. If, for example, daytime sleep is scheduled for 1400, and nighttime sleep at 2100, try your best not to deviate from the schedule.

Place to sleep

You should immediately indicate where the child will sleep. Parents have the right to put the little one in his own bed or with him. Both options are acceptable, but Dr. Komarovsky still believes that it is better to teach him to sleep in his room in a stroller or crib, which favorably affects the relationship of the spouses. If the baby woke up and cries, you can approach him, and then leave him again. Gradually, children cease to require such careful attention.

Many children fall asleep for a very long time, but then they can sleep for up to four hours in a row. This is highly undesirable, as it affects the quality of night rest. The task of parents is to prevent too long daytime sleep. Even if you are very sorry to wake up a little sleepyhead, you need to raise him. Perhaps he will be capricious, but after some time his psychological state will improve.


Of course, this does not apply to newborn babies or infants up to a year old. At an early age, it is quite difficult to establish any regimen. If it concerns a 1.5-year-old child or older toddlers, you need to wake up the little bully.

Enough activity during the day

A healthy night's sleep will provide the little man with sufficient physical activity during the day. If he is in kindergarten or school, there should be no problems. What to do if the baby is at home:

  • Walk outside for at least two hours.
  • Use outdoor games that match the age of the toddler (running, chasing, jumping, dancing, etc.).
  • You can ask the baby to help around the house, for example, sweep the floor, wipe the dust.
  • From an early age, you can send your child to the sports section, dancing, gymnastics, swimming pool.

Motor activity will ensure not only healthy sleep, but also the harmonious physical and mental development of the little bully.

If the little one is on breastfeeding, it should be applied to the chest on demand or every three hours. Here the decision should be made by parents, depending on the individual characteristics of their child. It is important to consider how well the baby falls asleep after feeding. If there are no problems, dinner should be as satisfying as possible.


Do you want to know all the details about the nutrition of a woman during lactation? Then for you.

Proper sleep preparation

Evgeny Olegovich emphasizes the importance of preparing the baby for sleep and the microclimate in the room. To do this, you need to bathe the baby, ventilate the room well, take care of the correct temperature and humidity. All this will help not only to fall asleep quickly, but also to have a good rest.

For babies, you can use baths with the addition of medicinal herbs such as chamomile, mint, thyme. Such bathing will help calm the nervous system of the little man and improve the condition of the dermis. In addition, it is important to take care of high-quality diapers and a comfortable bed. If the diapers are of poor quality, the baby will certainly wake up at night.

It doesn't matter how much the difference in age between your little ones, a year or five, putting them to bed at the same time is quite possible, although sometimes very difficult. They can fall asleep on the same bed or apart.


It is important to consider the following tips:

  • At lunch, try to put the children to bed at the same time. Even if one of them wakes up earlier, it won't be a problem.
  • You can attach the older peanut to lay the younger one. It can be turned into a kind of game. He can cover a brother or sister with a blanket, bring a toy, set an example of how to fall asleep.
  • The weather is better to lull in separate beds.
  • Do not be upset if one of the babies falls asleep quickly, and the second tosses and turns all the time. All babies have their own individual characteristics. Stock up on patience. Explain to the older child that he should not interfere with the younger. Cultivate respect from an early age.

Do not believe the assurances of parents that their little ones fall asleep in a second. This is extremely rare, because children are not robots. Often you have to be patient and go through many difficulties.

Many toddlers are almost impossible to put to bed after kindergarten, guests, or just a walk. What to do in such a situation? If the baby is worried about insomnia or he is afraid to sleep in the dark, you should talk to him about it. It is important to find out what worries the baby, what fears he has. In such situations, the help of a specialist is often required.


If the problem is caused by ordinary overexcitation, you can try to heed the following recommendations:

  • Avoid active games an hour before bedtime.
  • Stop watching TV.
  • Older children should be banned from gadgets and computer games.
  • Give your baby a relaxing massage.
  • Use the sleep ritual.
  • Arrange for a little bully a bathroom with the addition of herbs.
  • Many children fall asleep well with their favorite toy.
  • If your little robber is overexcited, play a calm game with him, sing a song, read a fairy tale. Very soon, his nervous system will return to normal and this will help to improve sleep.

Remember, never yell at a child. This will only make the situation worse. All issues must be resolved by persuasion, mutual understanding, without scandals.

There are over 100 ways to get your baby to sleep in minutes. Let's look at the most effective of them:

  • Motion sickness. This simple method is suitable for children up to a year. All you need to do is just gently rock the little man from side to side.
  • Many peanuts fall asleep perfectly to third-party sounds, reminiscent of the noise in the womb. You can turn on the hair dryer, vacuum cleaner or other household appliances. You can create such a sound using the sound of water.
  • The pacifier helps a lot. The pacifier should be given to the baby during falling asleep, and later picked up.
  • Newborns sleep well at their mother's breasts. During this period, general sleep is allowed.
  • To calm the baby, you can sing a lullaby to him or turn on calm music.
  • The mobile helps to calm the child. Such musical toys can be bought at any store.

In addition, you must definitely take a walk with your child before going to bed. Fresh air will help you fall asleep quickly and sleep longer.


Each child is individual, so parents should choose an individual approach to him.

Video

Here are some more tips from a psychologist on how to put a toddler to sleep without tears and tantrums.

It is a well-known fact that young children grow up in sleep, which is why it is so important in the first years of life. Children the first year are very awake, and spend a lot of time in the cradle.

Proper sleep in bed

How should a newborn sleep in a crib? Emotional and physical health depends on how the newborn will fall asleep in the crib. The main thing is to make sure that there are no extra items in it, the surface is even, smooth, the bed linen is clean and ironed. Sleeping a newborn in a crib will be calmer than with their parents.

It is not necessary to wrap a warm blanket completely, this can lead to suffocation. A newborn baby in a crib will feel more comfortable if mom puts it next to hers. Not a single newborn child can fall asleep on his own, it is necessary to put mom and dad to sleep correctly at first.

How should newborns sleep in the crib:

  1. the most natural is on the back. At the same time, turn your head on its side so that the baby does not choke if it burps;
  2. you can put it on the barrel, and put a small roller, a twisted towel under the back so that it does not turn over;
  3. if you are not swaddling, put cotton scratches on the handles so that hand movements do not wake you up.

Newborns can also sleep on their stomach, however, this position is not desirable. Everyone is different, so parents need to determine the ideal sleeping position for themselves.

When should a baby sleep on a pillow? In the first year, a pillow is not needed so that the entire body is on the same level. It is allowed to lay a thin diaper under the head. The exception is a special pillow in the shape of a "butterfly" with a notch in the middle. A simple pillow is placed after reaching two years.

At what angle should a newborn sleep? Make sure that the angle of elevation of the baby's head in relation to his body does not exceed 10 centimeters.

What pillow should a newborn baby sleep on? There are pads that make it easier to put on. If the child sleeps in the cradle, a thin diaper folded four times is placed under the head.

sleeping surface

What surface should a newborn sleep on? Due to the fact that the skeletal and muscular system is still developing in the little ones, it becomes clear that a newborn should sleep on a hard surface. Get a bed made of wood, without bumps and not varnished.

What mattress should a newborn sleep on? Pediatricians recommend for babies to purchase hard orthopedic mattresses, because on them the body takes the anatomical position laid down by nature.

It is important that the mattress is made from environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic materials, and ideally matches the size of the bed. The best purchase will be made from natural coconut fiber, and half from buckwheat husks. A newborn baby should sleep on such a mattress so that the spine is straight.

On which side of the mattress should a newborn sleep? They can be alternated depending on the air temperature in the room where the baby sleeps and his age. Coconut gives the effect of "breathing" and it is more rigid. Older children can be turned over with the softer side.

The surface must be even, since the spine and soft bones are still being formed in children. Try to make sure that there are no toys in the crib during sleep, and the linen is ironed.

In order for the baby to sleep peacefully, it is important for parents to create good conditions for this. It is good if from birth the children will get used to their bed. At the same time, buy a good mattress, do not save on health, you don’t need a pillow, and choose a blanket that is not very warm.

What position should a newborn sleep in?

Parents choose the position in which a newborn baby should sleep. After all, children still do not know how to roll over and sleep, as adults put it.

Pediatricians say that newborns can sleep:

  • on the back;
  • on the stomach;
  • on the side.

The task of parents is to make sure that the baby is comfortable and safe in the chosen position. Babies sleep on their backs with their arms up and their heads turned to the side. In this position, babies are most relaxed, but they can scare themselves with their hands.

Sleeping on your stomach is considered dangerous, but some babies sleep the only way. Parents need to make sure that the baby's head is turned to the side. It is impossible to use a pillow in this case so that the baby does not suffocate. It is better if the child sleeps on his stomach only during the day.

The most comfortable position is considered to be on the side. This is how it is safe for newborns to sleep, because children will not choke when spitting up. For convenience, a roller from a blanket is placed under the back.

In what position should a newborn baby sleep? Adults can choose in which position the newborn should sleep by observing the child. If it is convenient for him, then let him sleep on his back, side or stomach, but you need to ensure the safety of the child. According to pediatricians, on the side is the most optimal position for rest.

Position "on the side"

Which side should a newborn sleep on? It is not recommended to leave the baby for a long time on one side. The baby is turned from one side to the other, after 2-3 hours. This is required for the correct formation of the skeleton of the newborn. During daytime sleep, the barrel is changed with each laying.

Why should a newborn sleep on their side? Resting in this position is safe, because when spitting up, the baby will not choke on milk. Quite calmly, the newborn will sleep all night on his side, because he breathes freely.

How long should a newborn sleep on their side? It is very convenient to rest on the side, but the newborn needs to be periodically turned over to the opposite side. Babies sleep on their side for about 3 months. Growing up, children learn to roll over and take a comfortable position.

How should a newborn sleep in a stroller? The conditions for sleeping in a stroller should be the same as in a crib. A hard mattress is placed in the stroller, a folded diaper can be placed under the head. The baby does not need a pillow. Babies usually sleep on their backs in strollers. During the walk, parents should close the stroller from drafts and dress the baby according to weather conditions.

How should a baby sleep by months?

1 month. It is necessary to prepare a crib or stroller in advance so that a one-month-old baby can sleep separately from their parents. Pediatricians do not recommend putting children in bed with adults. This is dictated by the safety of the baby, because parents can unwittingly harm him.

A firm mattress is placed in the crib so that the skeleton is formed correctly. A pillow is not needed for children under 1.2 years old, it is better to buy a thin blanket. At 3 days old, the baby can already put on a sleeping bag. To prevent the newborn from choking when spitting up, it is laid on its side. The newborn must change position every few hours.

At what temperature should a newborn sleep? The optimal temperature in the bedroom ranges from 18 - 23 degrees. The children's room is ventilated before going to bed and drafts are not allowed during sleep. The air must be constantly moistened so that the baby's nose does not dry out.

What should be the temperature of a sleeping baby? During sleep, the baby's temperature rises slightly and is 37 degrees. But don't worry, this is normal.

2-3 months. A 2 month old baby can sleep on his back, but the head must be turned to the side. This position will not allow the baby to choke and oxygen enters the body faster. A child of 3 months is already more active and begins to turn his head in his sleep on his own. The baby can put a special orthopedic pillow.

Should the baby sleep after every feeding? Very often this is exactly what happens, but the correct regimen involves feeding - waking - sleeping. Having eaten, the baby actively explores the world and then, tired, falls asleep soundly. And after sleep, hungry sucks the breast much more actively.

4-5 months. The optimal position for a 4-month-old baby to sleep at night is as follows: on his back, head turned to one side, arms raised up, legs bent at the knees.

A grown-up child at 5 months already knows how to independently roll over and take a comfortable position. Babies can already sleep on their stomach, upside down, but you need to make sure that he does not get tangled in a blanket or diaper.

What does the posture of the baby video say:

What kind of light should a newborn sleep in? During the daytime, you can close the windows with curtains, but you do not need to create complete darkness. At night, you can leave the dim light of the night lamp on. With it, it is convenient to get up to the baby for eating and changing clothes.

1 - 2 years. In a dream, the little one changes position several times, so there is no definite position at this age. He will lie where he is comfortable.

What pillow should a 1 year old sleep on? Children can rest without a pillow up to 1.5 years. If you buy a pillow, it is better orthopedic. A pillow filled with bamboo fiber, latex, polyester along the width of the crib is suitable.

Where should a 2 year old sleep? A two-year-old baby is already sleeping separately from his parents in his bed. At this age, you can transfer the child to a separate room and teach to rest alone.

The correct position in a dream, comfortable conditions, will ensure a healthy and safe sleep for the little one. Having carefully looked at the baby, it will immediately become clear which position is most convenient.

You bring a newborn from the hospital, and he is so small, fragile, defenseless ... It becomes scary to touch him, to pick him up. This is especially scary for young parents. And, of course, the first question that begins to worry them is how a newborn should sleep. What should be the baby's bed, how to put it to sleep, in what position, etc. It is very important to know all this in order to create favorable conditions for sleep for the baby and minimize the risks to life.

Sleep conditions for a newborn

In order for an infant to have a sound and deeper sleep, he needs the following conditions:

  • clean air in the room;
  • temperature not higher than 25 ° C (ideally - 20 ° C);
  • the correct humidity is about 60-70%;
  • no bright lights, no loud noises.

Naturally, the room of the newborn should be washed, the dust wiped off. If it's an afternoon nap, then the curtains are drawn. The baby himself does not need to be wrapped in a blanket if the temperature in the nursery is above 22 ° C. Overheating is fraught with unpleasant health consequences.

Sleep positions

It is very important in what position the baby sleeps, because so far he spends most of his time in a dream. Let's look at comfortable positions in which it is better to lay the baby.

on the side

The side position is the safest.

The safest sleeping position for an infant is the side-lying position. This is how pediatricians, as well as doctors in maternity hospitals, advise laying babies (at least for the first time). The point is in the anatomical features of the structure of the stomach and esophagus of infants, namely, in the absence of a pronounced cardiac sphincter. Therefore, after feeding, the baby can spit up profusely. At this point, it is best to lay it on its side to avoid the risk of choking.

polubokom

This is an even safer position than sleeping on your side. Sleeping sideways is good for children who spit up frequently or who suffer from colic. This posture contributes to a better discharge of gas.

So that the child does not roll over and does not take other poses, it must be correctly placed. Under the back you need to put a diaper or blanket rolled up with a roller. It is also necessary to ensure that the baby does not scratch himself, this can be avoided by putting scratches on him.

Tip: the child must be periodically turned over to the other side, otherwise torticollis may occur.

On the back


When the baby sleeps on his back, his head should be turned to the side.

Sleeping a newborn on his back is both beneficial and dangerous. It is useful because it is physiological, natural for him. Dangerous due to the fact that the baby. In the supine position, he can choke on burping masses.

Advice:

  1. When laying the newborn on the back, the head should be turned to the side and fixed with a diaper roller so that it cannot turn on its own.
  2. The position of the head must be changed periodically to avoid torticollis.
  3. So that the baby in this position does not scratch and does not wake himself up with his hands, it is better to swaddle him. If the baby does not like to lie swaddled, he is nervous, then it is recommended to lay him, for example, on his tummy.

The position on the back is not recommended if the baby is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, if he has signs of muscle hypertonicity (he will constantly pull his arms, preventing himself from sleeping), and also with colic (with abundant gas formation, the newborn will not be able to sleep soundly).

On the tummy


The best position is on the tummy: prevents colic, is the prevention of infant mortality syndrome

The posture on the stomach is a prevention, firstly, of colic (the digestive system works well in this position, gases are better removed), and secondly, the syndrome of infant mortality, one of the causes of which is, again, the danger of choking when regurgitation. The posture on the tummy will prevent the unpleasant consequences of spitting up.

In addition, in this position, the muscles, bones of the back and neck are strengthened, and over time it will be easier for the child to learn to hold the head.

If the baby likes to sleep on his stomach, then certain safety precautions must be observed:

  • buy a hard mattress, better orthopedic;
  • sleep without a pillow;
  • do not lay oilcloth sheets in the crib;
  • toys are best hung over the bed, and not placed at the head of the baby.

But even with these precautions, it is better to look after the baby while sleeping on your stomach.

In the fetal position

If a child has been sleeping for more than a month with legs pulled up to the tummy and arms pressed to the chest, this may indicate muscle hypertension (hypertonicity). But if after 3-4 weeks the baby straightens up and sleeps in normal positions, then there is no cause for concern.

Important! In whatever position the baby sleeps, from time to time it must be turned over to the other side or change its position in order to avoid tissue deposits, deformation of the unstable bone skeleton, squeezing of veins and muscles.

Putting to bed


Laying the baby, you need to stroke or lightly pat him to calm down.

Studies of infant behavior show that a child already in infancy remembers the sequence of actions that take place, and if something is missed, he will begin to act up, he will not be able to fall asleep for a long time. It is correct to lay the baby in such a way that this process takes place quickly and painlessly, for which, before going to bed, it is advisable to repeat the same actions, at the same time, in the same sequence.

  1. To calm the child and improve sleep, they bathe him in water with herbs, do a light massage with strokes, then feed him.
  2. Do not lay down a newborn immediately after feeding. It is good to raise him upright for a few minutes so that he can burp the excess air.
  3. Putting to bed, the mother can sing a lullaby to the baby in a low voice, gently stroking and patting him at night.

Newborn bedding

A monthly baby sleeps 18-19 hours a day, older children (3 months - a year) sleep less, but still at least 15-16 hours. That is almost all the time. Therefore, the task of parents is to decide where to sleep for the baby and arrange his sleeping place.

Some parents buy a crib in advance, others put the baby to bed with them. On the one hand, it is convenient for both parents and children, since there is no need to get up at night for feeding, and the baby is calmer at his mother's breast. On the other hand, it is dangerous, as sleeping parents can crush the baby. Pediatricians warn: do not accustom the child to the parent's bed!

Crib

Requirements: safety, hygiene, moderate rigidity. Specialists in pediatrics and orthopedists recommend a hard, dense orthopedic mattress that sags slightly under the weight of the baby. This is primarily the prevention of curvature of the spine.

Due to the active development of the child's skeletal and muscular system, it is forbidden to lay it out on a soft surface for up to a year, especially on down mattresses.

A hard or moderately hard mattress is part of the prevention of infant mortality syndrome. Even burying his nose in it, the baby will not suffocate, since a flat surface without creases will not be able to block oxygen for the baby.

Since children love to chew on their crib (especially when teething), it is better if it is not well sanded and varnished.


Pillow-positioner will keep the baby in the best position for him

Very handy for baby care. Various modifications of such pillows, mattresses, blankets, pillowcases, cocoon beds for newborns help to keep the baby in the position in which he was put to sleep, fixing the head in the desired position. With a positioner pillow, the breastfed baby should sleep soundly.

Buckwheat pillows

Recommended for newborns by neonatologists. Such orthopedic pillows filled with buckwheat husk easily follow the shape of the head and neck of the crumbs in any position, contribute to the correct formation of the spine and cervical bend. In addition, the pillow has a massaging effect, improves blood circulation in the head and neck, and soothes the baby well.

Cocoon diapers


The cocoon diaper will ensure a restful sleep for the baby

There are zippers or Velcro, easy to use, allow you to quickly fix the arms and legs of the baby, leaving him freedom of movement. Such soft swaddling prevents sleep disturbance, as the baby cannot wake and scratch himself with his hands. These give the baby the impression of being in the womb.

Sleepwear

What the baby sleeps in depends on several factors: the temperature in the apartment, the time of year (in the summer you can not dress the baby at all, leaving only a diaper), his well-being, age, etc. The most comfortable clothing is a jumpsuit with scratches. It does not constrain movements, protects the delicate skin of the crumbs from its own sharp nails. It is warm in it, it is convenient to take it off and put it on, which is especially good for those parents who use diapers. The jumpsuit is ideal for children of both sexes.

These recommendations should definitely be taken into account, especially if parents want their child to sleep peacefully all night. And if the child sleeps peacefully, then mom and dad also sleep, which gives them the opportunity to feel full of strength and desire to communicate with their baby.