Sleep.
It refreshes, rejuvenates and restores. Though our bodies are, for the
most part, quiet during sleep, there is actually a bustle of activity
going on inside us. Sleep is so important for your baby, that it is
worth exploring and discussing. <>
Not
only is a proper and regular sleep schedule vitally important for your
baby’s health, it also improves mood, function and physical
development. Here are five major benefits that regular and sound sleep
offer your child:
It
helps your baby grow strong and develop quick reactions and
coordination: studies show that babies who get regular sleep have
improved reaction time, better reflexes and even better use of oxygen.
It
helps keep baby’s mood even and happy: obviously, babies get cranky and
cry longer and more often when they are tired, and if they are sleep
deprived, or on an irregular schedule, they can be very challenging to
deal with.
It
helps with memory function and development: Dr. Nilesh Dave, medical
director of the Sleep Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center says
"During sleep, your brain will process a lot and turn it into long-term
memory," he says. "Memory is a function of what we think sleep does."
It
keeps baby from falling asleep at times that are not part of the
planned schedule: I’m sure every parent has experienced times when
their baby fell asleep in the car, or while out somewhere, only to have
the baby wake up irritable and still tired.
If a baby is well rested,
and if the parents plan their activities to accommodate baby’s
established sleep schedule, then more often than not, the baby will
stay awake in the car, etc, because it’s during the established non -
sleep time.
It
keeps baby’s hormones balanced: Our bodies use sleep to release certain
hormones, Dr. Davé says, including those essential for growth
and
development.
So, if sleep is so important, how do you
ensure that your baby gets enough sleep? Here are some basics that
might help:
Establish
a bedtime routine: This helps your baby settle down, (and helps adults
wind down after a long day as well). Allocate about thirty minutes
before baby’s bedtime to soothe and relax your child. Read, sing or
play lullabies, or just sit quietly in a rocking chair, holding your
baby.
Only
put your baby down when it’s time for sleep: Using the baby’s bed for
anything other than sleep gives the child confusing messages about what
the bed/ or bedtime really means. If it is clear to the baby that the
bed is for sleeping, the chances of the baby settling down are better.
Make the baby’s bedroom dark, comfortable
and quiet: limit distractions.
Don’t
play actively with your baby before bedtime: this can over stimulate
the baby and make it more difficult to calm down in time for the
scheduled bedtime.
Stick with the schedule: babies very easily
can get off schedule, and it can play havoc with their mood and with
their health.
Calm
and soothe yourself and your baby: take some deep breaths. Your baby
will pick up on your own relaxed state and this will help you both get
quiet and peaceful.
Know when to seek help: talk to your baby’s
pediatrician for more ideas for establishing a regular sleep schedule
for your baby.
I
might add that a regular sleep schedule is important for the baby’s
parents as well, for all of the above reasons. Everyone benefits from a
regular sleep schedule!
