Sleep!

Sleep

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There is no getting around the sleep deprivation that comes with a new baby. New parents can feel a sense of failure or like they are doing something wrong if their baby isn’t having long periods of sleep or sleeping through the night. As a society, we need to reframe how we think about infant sleep, change the conversation and normalise frequent wakings. This can help parents have more realistic expectations.The reality is that 70% of children aged between 6 and 18 months wake 1-3 times per night. Babies are biologically designed to have active, light, short sleep cycles. It is a protective mechanism to prevent deep sleep. In fact, we wake several times a night but are able to turn and re-adjust ourselves, maybe have a drink of water, a baby cannot do these things, they need support. When a baby is born they don’t have a circadian rhythm, from 3 months on they start to develop this.

Breastfeeding can help in developing this circadian rhythm and their ability to settle and sleep for longer periods as they develop. Your breast milk has high levels of serotonin and melatonin at night to aid sleep.Your baby can wake and wish to feed for a variety of reasons, it isn’t always hunger related, they may just want a cuddle, some reassurance or a small feed. Your baby’s sleep can be affected by periods of development e.g. learning to sit up/crawl/walk. We can look at sleep as another developmental milestone that your baby will achieve much like sitting unsupported/crawling/walking, each baby is individual.

Some ways you can get more rest:

• Keep the night-time environment quiet, calm, dim lighting, only do nappy changes if necessary.

• Try the side lying breastfeeding position.

• Use a co-sleeper.

• It is ok to help and support your baby to sleep e.g. rocking, swaying or breastfeeding to sleep. Some worry about spoiling their baby or creating bad habits. In fact responding to your baby helps develop trust and secure attachment leading to more confident and independent individuals in the future. A study from 2022 found that walking/moving with a crying baby in arms for 5 minutes followed by 5-8 minutes of sitting with the baby promoted sleep and helped the baby to stay asleep when laid down. If the baby was laid down as soon as they went to sleep they woke back up (we all know this to be true!)

• Contact naps are also very normal, babies have a primal need to be near their caregiver. Some babies don’t consolidate sleep, so their naps may be short and frequent. There are many sleeping aids on the market, such as pods/nests, vibrating chairs. Your baby should be supervised at all times if using these products. Safe sleep guidelines are very important. Babies should always be placed flat on their back for sleep, further information is available on www.hse.ie.

• If bottle feeding, take turns doing the night feeds so both you and your partner have an opportunity to get sleep.

Sleep deprivation is really tough. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support.