Your baby’s sleep

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that adjusting to our babies sleep patterns is brutal! But can understanding a bit more about why they sleep the way they do help us cope?

might as well give it a go……

Sleep Cycles and Patterns

Adult and baby sleep cycles are different. Your baby‘s sleep cycle generally lasts around 40ish minutes with 50% of that time being in REM (light sleep), only going through two stages of sleep within that time. Adults on the other hand have a 90 minute sleep cycle with 4 stages of sleep. Babies circadian rhythm’s aren’t fully developed so they aren’t as receptive to day and night, this is one of the reasons they wake regularly at night time. A baby sleeps an average of 18 hours out of 24, for short periods of time. A healthy adult has a fully developed circadian rhythm and likes to sleep in at least 7 hour (mostly undisturbed) chunks of sleep over night.

Food

Your baby’s stomach is small and milk is easily digested so they need to eat little and often over a 24 hour period. Milk production relies heavily of stimulation, so babies should be encouraged to go to the breast regularly, this is also important because one of the hormone’s we need (prolactin) to help create milk is at its highest at night. Babies are clever and they run on instinct.

Survival

You may find that your baby doesn’t sleep as well or settle at all if they aren’t sleeping on or near you. This is because they are designed to need their parents, we are carry mammals and you are their safe space, which means they are completely reliant on you for all of their needs. Being close to you helps them regulate their breathing and temperature and allows them easier access to the breast, so it is normal and intentional for them to wake frequently. You are encouraged by health professionals and sleep/feeding experts to have your baby in the same room as you at all times until at least 6 months of age so you are able to respond to their needs quickly and to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Getting through it

It’s easy to say sleep when the baby sleeps, but how easy is it to actually do?

not very, without support.

a postnatal plan can really help give you opportunities to rest. Think about who you want around and how they can support you. what will help you get the sleep you need? What boundaries can you put in place to protect your rest periods? How can you makes things easier?

Resources

https://www.basisonline.org.uk/

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/baby-sleep-cycle

https://parentingscience.com/baby-sleep-patterns/