Sleep By Me

If I had a penny for every time someone told me when I was pregnant or heard someone say to a pregnant woman to ‘’sleep while you can’’ or to ‘‘enjoy sleep while it lasts.’’ There are tons of reasons why night wakes happen. In fact, there are as many reasons as the individuality of each child and each carer because when it comes to sleep, there is no one size ts all. Just a few examples are: 1. They are meant to do so - Babies are meant to wake and call for us. This is a built-in survival instinct designed to protect them and it is perfectly biologically normal. It is crucial for our infants to wake and call for us to meet their needs which could be hunger, thirst, being too hot or too cold, discomfort or pain, trapped wind, illness, a need for connection or proximity. We want babies to call for us to be sure they are not only comfortable but also safe while they sleep. 2. They are uncomfortable or ill - If your baby is squirming around looking uncomfortable, arching their back, grunting and/or grimacing, crying as a result, this can be an indicator of discomfort caused by digestion or gassiness. Teething is another cause of discomfort. Just like a toothache, teething is much worse at night when babies are lying down. Letting a baby chew on cold objects (e.g. a clean, cool washcloth) during the day and rubbing their gums with a clean nger can also help to relieve the pain. 3. They are going through developmental milestones Babies learn at night; their brains do not turn o at bedtime. Any time they are getting ready to meet a new developmental milestone, they can spend hours in the middle of the night practicing. Other reasons why your baby and child might be waking up at night include; they are hungry, they are seeking connection or they may be experiencing too many changes. But it is important to keep in mind that this is normal (unless a red ag has been identi ed) and it will not last forever. Parents are under so much societal pressure when it comes to infant sleep and we desperately need to normalise it. Remember, babies are meant to wake, you are doing an amazing job, and your baby is likely doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. At the same time, if something is not working for you, you can change it. It does not have to be cry it out it wait it out only.

To find out more information visit www.sleepbyme.com by racha sparrow - baby-led sleeping and wellbeing specialist