Sleep habits in toddlers.
Sleep is a vital part in baby’s
well-being and health. It is required to support all the functions of the body
such as growth, brain function and development. If you need your child to grow
healthy, he should have at least 12 hours of sleep every day. This will ensure
that he is always alert and calm. However, the main aspect that you should
consider is the quality of sleep not the quantity.
This is for those who are looking for some information on sleeping habits in
toddlers? Establishing healthy sleep
habits for your kid is very essential for both the physical and mental growth. There are a number of reasons why some kids always stay awake through the night. Below are some of the reasons why your toddler could be losing sleep
and some possible remedies.
i.
Poor scheduling of daytime sleep for the
toddler.
In this case, the more the toddler sleeps during the day can greatly affect the chances of the toddler sleeping in the night. Your child will
likely to lose sleep during the night, if the need for sleep is not respected
during the day. If the toddler stays awake for a longer time during the day,
then likely he/she will be overtired, and is likely to lose sleep during the
night. A more relaxed child, will likely to get more sleep during the
night. In this case you have to ensure that you obey the need for sleep for
your toddler during the day.
ii.
Parent not assisting the toddler to sleep.
Most toddlers do not sleep independently and need
some assistance from the parent, most toddlers will do what adults do. Helping your toddler to
sleep can work perfectly for you simply by using a number of methods such as
laying down in bed with them until they fall asleep. Turning down the lights and light reading with a light tone, can help in relaxing your kid. More so adding some regular activities before going to bed, like cleaning up toys, and a bath will help understand "the wind-down". Also to quiet the night time fears, let them feel your presence and assure them of their safety.
iii.
Inconsistency.
Some parents also are not consistent in time and this will
directly affect the sleep of the toddler at night. You should be able to prepare
the toddlers schedule to be consistent, this will help the kids to get the healthy required to sleep they need to grow. Maintaining good sleeping habits for your toddler will make
him happy and active during the day.
"This is why co-sleeping benefits me and my baby."
What is co-sleeping?
Co- sleeping can refer to three
main practices:
1. Couch
sharing: this is where the baby sleeps on the same sofa or coach with the
parent.
2. Bed-sharing: where the
parent and the baby sleep on the same bed.
Room sharing is strongly
advocated than bed sharing and coach sharing. This is because both bed and
coach sharing are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Room
sharing reduces the risks of SIDS because the risks of overheating are reduced.
However, it
is possible to make co-sleeping safe by following the tips below;
A. Make
sure that you keep your baby warm not hot;
When your baby is not comfortable
with the rise in temperatures he will not sleep well. Notably, contact with the
body leads to rise in temperature. Thus, you should ensure that your baby is
dressed in light clothes. Make sure you maintain the temperature at optimum
level.
B. Make
sure you don’t leave your baby alone in bed
Do not let your baby sleep
between pillows on the pillows. He may roll
off and fall down or be squeezed in between the pillows and suffocate. Instead,
if you are leaving the room put him in a safe place like a cot.
C. Use
light and minimal bedding
It is advisable not to use duvet
if you are co-sleeping. Use lightweight covers to prevent overheating and
suffocation. Do regular checking of the baby to ensure that he has not covered
his head.
D. Ensure
that the mattress is firm
The mattress should fit snugly
on your bed. This is to prevent creation of gaps which can make a baby to fall
down. It should also be hard enough to prevent suffocation and overheating
which will adversely affect the baby’s sleep.
1. What are the
benefits of co-sleeping?
It
facilitates the bond between child and the parent
Skin contact between the child
and the mother facilitates the release of oxytocin hormone. This strengthens
and solidifies the bond between the mother and the child.
2. It
improves sleep
When a child sleeps next to the
mother there is security created. The child feels secure and he is able to have
quality sleep.
3. It
makes breast feeding easier
A child will not have enough
sleep if he is hungry. Breasting feeding is an important factor for the proper
growth of the child. Thus, having your child in the same bed makes it easy for
you to breast feed him.
4. Co-sleeping is very important in
helping you identify the behavioral changes for your child. Make sure that you
engage in co-sleeping rightfully to protect your child from SIDS and to ensure
that your child gets quality sleep.
