The Big Sleep Issue
Nothing can ever truly prepare you for the way that sleep (or lack of it!) takes over your life during the first few weeks and months with your new baby. Whether it's getting your baby to learn the difference between day and night, trying to establish a bedtime routine that works for all the family or worrying about what's 'normal' and if your baby's getting enough sleep - the big 'S' looms large in the life of every parent.
Does everyone go through this?
Massage is a perfect way to wind down baby and you before bedtime, helping her to feel sleepy. Studies have shown it helps reduce stress hormone levels and boosts immunity as well as increasing production of endorphins (happy hormones). Give it a try with this step by step guide:
- Choose a warm quiet space and make sure she's not too hungry, full or over tired
- Use un-perfumed oil such as sunflower oil and warm it in your hands first by rubbing them together before you start
- Massaging her back can induce sleep. Lie her across your legs on her tummy and stroke your hands back and forth for a couple of minutes
- Place one hand on her bottom and gently but firmly stroke her from neck to the bottom of her spine
- Always stop if your baby cries or seems fretful - you can always try again another time.
For more information on baby massage contact the International Association of Infant Massage by visiting www.iaim.org.uk.
YES! Next time you're pacing the bedroom at 3am trying to soothe your crying baby, in might help (just a little bit!) to remember that you're not alone. The average newborn wakes up five times a night, so at that very moment thousands of other parents are doing exactly the same thing! Don't despair, after the first few weeks things will almost definitely get easier. Your baby will go for longer stretches without needing to be fed and her unpredictable sleeping and waking habits will begin to even out.
8 weeks and beyond:
- From around eight weeks your baby's biological clock starts to develop and she may naturally start to stay awake for longer periods during the day (and hopefully less at night!).
- From 3 months, because her tummy can hold more food, she'll start to sleep for longer stretches. Some babies manage up to six hours a night and some may even start to sleep through - if you're lucky!
- From 6 months experts say your baby shouldn't need feeding during the night and should be able to sleep for up to eleven hours.
Why do they need sleep?
Babies don't just need sleep to rest, it's also crucial for their physical and mental development as well as their wellbeing. While your baby is snoozing her brain is organizing everything she's learned and making new connections at an amazing rate. Her growth hormones are also coming into action building muscle and body tissue and her body is busily creating white blood cells which her immune system needs to fight off any infections she is exposed to. So all in all she can't do without her sleep any more than you can!
