" When your little one doesn't want to sleep "
Especially in the first few months of life, babies find it difficult to find a good sleep rhythm. They often wake up in the middle of the night and simply don't manage to fall asleep. But you can do something about this. You can create wonderful sleep aids with lovely cuddly toys, music boxes and lots of security.
The baby starts to cry in the middle of the night. Still half asleep, mom or dad takes a look at the clock and sees that there are still a few hours until dawn. Many parents are familiar with this situation and wake up quite often during the night because their little one simply can't find his or her way to the land of dreams. In the first few months of life, this is completely normal and the newborn baby first has to find its sleep rhythm. For some children this happens more quickly, for others it takes a little longer.
Baby needs to find its sleep rhythm
Always remember that it is your little angel who is embarking on the adventure of life and initially has to cope with a multitude of impressions. There was no bedtime in the womb. It was always consistently warm and the little one never knew hunger. There was round-the-clock care and suddenly everything is different. But there are lots of little tips and tricks for an effective sleep aid that will help you to ensure that your little one can sleep well.
Babies' need for sleep
Over the course of the first few months, your baby's need for sleep will change again and again. In the first few weeks, he will need a lot of sleep, but this will not be limited to the night, but will be spread relatively evenly over the 24 hours. Newborns generally need 16 to 20 hours of sleep and the amount of sleep they need will also hover around these figures in the first few weeks.
Babies need a lot of sleep in the first few weeks
From the 4th month onwards, babies are a little more active and can get by on 9 to 12 hours of sleep at night. One or two naps during the day for a total of around 1.5 hours are usually recommended.
How can you tell that your baby wants to sleep?
There are many signs that signal more or less clearly that your baby wants to sleep. The little diaper wearers often become cranky and restless. They start rubbing their eyes and clearly show no interest in what is going on around them. You should always use a sleep window like this to put your little one to sleep. You will gradually learn when these sleep windows occur in your child and over time you will be able to regulate a fixed bedtime.
Baby wants to sleep
From a good four months, children are able to gradually develop a fixed rhythm. You can make a significant contribution to this with the appropriate sleep aid for the baby. If, for example, you avoid overstimulation in the late afternoon and early evening hours and, if possible, eat dinner at fixed times and get your child ready for bed, you are on the right track.
Overstimulation in particular makes it difficult to fall asleep. The calmer and more relaxed the last few hours are, the easier it will be to fall asleep.
The sleeping environment is an important sleep aid for the baby
The sleeping environment plays a crucial role in ensuring that your little sunshine can sleep peacefully and soundly. Never put your little darling in his crib as a punishment. If this happens regularly, your little one will associate this place exclusively with negative feelings and will therefore never really want to fall asleep there. Adjust the clothing for sleeping to the room temperature and not the other way round. The ideal temperature is around 18 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Baby in a sleeping bag
The use of a baby sleeping bag is now recommended by experts and pediatricians. Such a sleeping bag supports the correct sleeping position for the little ones, namely the supine position. You can use a small night light as a sleeping aid. However, avoid using too much bright decoration, as this will have the opposite effect and be more of a distraction.
Neither cuddly toys nor toys have any place in a crib. You can give your little one a cuddly toy or a pacifier to calm her down. If you are out and about with your little one, cuddly blankets and blankets have proven their worth to provide some peace and quiet during an outing. Especially on a walk, your child can snuggle up comfortably in the baby carriage. If you are visiting friends, then a cuddle cloth for the baby something familiar.
From soft music to a story - this is how you can provide a good sleep aid with lots of love
There is hardly a general sleeping aid in this sense. Everyone will have their own experiences and find the option that seems best for them personally. Nevertheless, there are a few tips that are definitely worth trying out.
Listen to soft music
A really good and proven sleep aid is a music box for babies that beguiles with pleasant sounds and comes in a lovely design.
A music box can be designed as a cute sheep or a cheerful dog, for example. It plays well-known melodies such as the classic nursery rhyme "Good evening, good night" and parents can sing along.
Little stories are a favorite
Reading aloud is a popular way to help children fall asleep. Picture books are particularly suitable for this. Parents can look at the colorful pictures with their little one and tell a story at the same time. Looking at pictures also has an educational value and introduces the child to recognizing shapes.
Little stories are a favorite
Beware of strange ideas!
Sure, sounds can be a good aid to falling asleep. But not everything is suitable. From the washing machine to the vacuum cleaner - some parents get very inventive when it comes to getting their child to sleep. But caution is advised here. Don't get carried away with improvised methods too often. In the end, it can be fatal if your little one learns that they can fall asleep next to the washing machine, while vacuuming or just while driving in the car.
Routine creates confidence!
From the age of six months, your little angel will be able to learn fixed bedtimes. Some babies manage this much earlier. Routine is a prerequisite for a good sleep rhythm. While adults tend to see this as boredom, it gives the little ones a certain amount of confidence. If possible, let the days end in the same pattern.
The blanket or cuddly toy is already ready in the crib and a little story is read or a song is sung to help them fall asleep. Switch on the night light if necessary and give your child the chance to fall asleep on their own. This usually works quite well with a pacifier.
Routine creates trust
Don't sneak into the room as soon as your little one starts to fuss. From this age, your little one will gradually learn to calm themselves down. Of course, you shouldn't let them cry for a long period of time, as this is guaranteed not to put your baby to sleep. Rather, it longs for affection and attention.
