Baby Won’t Sleep? Two Tips From New Baby Sleep Research
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When babies are awake, parents cannot take a break. And, if the sleep cycle of both gets affected, it only means they’ll be cranky during the day. Babies must get quality sleep, or sleep deprivation can result in complexities and, most importantly, hamper their growth and development (1). This is why it is important to ensure that your baby is well-rested.
New research centers around the belief that good quality sleep needs to be focused on so babies can sleep longer and wake up happy and rejuvenated. If you’ve been struggling as a parent to have your baby sleep well, here are a few things that you should be aware of. Read on to know more:
In This Article
Latest Insight On Sleep Duration And Screens
Infant sleep is connected to their cognitive development. In fact, studies show that as much as 75 percent of your baby’s growth hormone is released during sleep (2). In a recent study published in 2021, the BMJ sheds light on the impact screen time has on shorter sleep duration and irregular sleeping patterns. Experts at the Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine Department of Biomedical Data Science observed the sleep habits of 550 infants from a diverse socioeconomic sample. This sample included 67 percent of Black babies, 54.5 percent of which came from households that make less than $20,0000 each year. Data revealed that in comparison to babies who aren’t exposed to screen time before they’ve turned 12 months old, those who were exposed enjoyed less nighttime sleep. Researchers conclude this, especially for babies with higher T.V. and DVD use. They wrote that a baby who averaged 1 hour of screen time during the study period slept 9.20 hours each night by the time they turned 12 months of age compared to 9.60 hours each night for babies who had no screen time before sleep. While this may not look like a huge difference, it does influence the sleeping patterns and can cause potential problems later in life (3).
The above study was built on a meta-analysis of other sleep studies published in the February 2020 issue of Sleep Medicine Reviews. These 31 sleep studies conducted by U.K. researchers show that screen time significantly impacts sleep outcomes in babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Also, when toddlers and preschoolers spent more hours playing high-intensity outdoor games or activities, they had better sleep outcomes (4).
Light emitted from screens tells our bodies that it is daytime, so sleep is delayed. Blue and white light emitted from screens mimic sunlight. This causes shifts in our circadian rhythms that delay the release of melatonin (sleep hormone). Even watching shows or playing games online can overstimulate toddlers, making it difficult for them to relax and get long, restful sleep.
What Is A Good Bedtime Routine For Babies To Have Longer Sleep Hours?
It’s essential for your baby to feel comfortable to drift off to sleep for a long time. Here are two important ways to relax your baby, so they aren’t sleep-deprived anymore:
1. Reading Before Bedtime
Reading comes with a host of benefits. It boosts your baby’s literacy and language skills and makes way for parents to bond qualitatively with their children. Also, having a consistent bedtime routine such as regular baths, brushing teeth, book reading, and bed sets a good pace for peaceful sleep. Therefore, pediatricians suggest reading stories to babies and infants if parents truly wish to add something to their baby’s nighttime routines.
2. Massage Before Sleep
To ensure a screen-free bedtime routine, several studies have proven that baby massage is a good addition. In a 2021 study titled, The Effects of Baby Massage to Sleep Quality in Infants Age 1-7 Months, 25 infants were observed. Eighty percent of these babies had poor sleep outcomes. When these babies were introduced to a massage, they showed a remarkable improvement in sleep quality. This Indonesian study was similar to a Malaysian study conducted on infants between 3 to 6 months of age. The Indonesian researchers reveal that infant massage stimulates the Vagus Nerve that is known to positively affect respiration, building strong immunity and increasing the oxygen flow and nutrients to the body cells (5).
Massage is excellent because it enables skin-to-skin contact of infants with their parents or caregivers. This helps in reducing crying and also relieves any discomfort caused by gas.
How Do You Massage A Baby?
It’s important to create a warm and calm environment before massaging your baby. Ensure you use the right amount of pressure. Gently stroke their backs, arms, and legs and avoid tickling. Take note of your child’s response. If they show signs of discomfort, hold off the body massage and try it sometime later.
Each baby is different, and they may respond to a bedtime routine at their own pace. It is usual for babies to wake up a few times in the night, but do speak to your doctor if you are concerned about their sleeping patterns. Does your baby sleep well? What bedtime routine do you follow to put them off to sleep? Do share your experiences and tips with us in the comments section below.
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