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Some babies may have a more restful sleep, which may be due to increased stimuli during the night, becoming more awake, or as a result of health conditions, such as colic and reflux, for example.
The sleep routine of the newborn baby, during the first month of life, is related to feeding and diaper changes. During this phase sleep is usually calm and can last between 16 to 17 hours a day. However, as much as the baby has been sleeping for many hours, it is important that he is awake so that he can be fed and the diaper is changed.
From 1 ½ months of age, the baby begins to relate the cycles of light and darkness, sleeps a little more at night and at 3 months, usually sleeps more than 5 hours in a row.
What can it be
When the baby has difficulty sleeping, easy and constant crying and a very restless night, it may be indicative of some changes that should be investigated by the pediatrician and treated in the best way. Some of the main situations that lead to the baby's most restless sleep are:
- Many stimuli during the night and few during the day;
- Cramps;
- Reflux;
- Respiratory changes;
- Parasomnia, which is a sleep disorder;
The newborn baby's hours of sleep, in the first month of life, occupy most of the day, as the baby sleeps about 16 to 17 hours a day, however, the baby can stay awake for up to 1 or 2 hours in a row, which can happen overnight.
The newborn baby's sleep time usually varies with feeding. The baby who suckles the breast usually wakes up every 2 to 3 hours to breastfeed, while the baby who is fed by the bottle usually wakes up every 4 hours.
Is it normal for the newborn to stop breathing while sleeping?
Babies younger than 1 month of age, especially those born prematurely, may suffer from sleep apnea syndrome. In that case the baby stops breathing for a few seconds but then starts breathing normally again afterwards. This pause in breathing does not always have a specific cause and the most common is related to several factors such as heart problems or reflux, for example.
Therefore, it is not expected that any baby will not breathe while sleeping and if it does, it should be investigated. The baby may even have to be admitted to the hospital for tests. However, half the time no cause is found. Learn more about how to identify and treat baby sleep apnea.
What to do
For the baby's sleep to be less restless, it is important that some strategies are adopted during the day and night to favor the baby's rest. Therefore, it is recommended:
- Keep the house lit throughout the day, reducing the light intensity at night;
- Play with the baby as much as possible during the day;
- Waking the baby up during feedings, talking and singing to him;
- Do not avoid making noises, such as the phone, talking or vacuuming at home, even if the baby is sleeping during the day. However, noise should be avoided at night;
- Avoid playing with the baby at night;
- Keep the environment dark at the end of the day, turning on only a night light when feeding the baby or changing the diaper.
These strategies teach the baby to distinguish day from night, controlling his sleep. In addition, in case the restless sleep is due to reflux, colic or other health conditions, it is important to follow the pediatrician's guidance, being important to burp the baby after breastfeeding, bending the baby's knees and taking them to the belly pressing or increasing the cradle head, for example. Check out more tips on how to help your baby sleep.