Benefits of a good nights’ sleep
- Sleep helps babies develop their cognitive skills. A study published in the journal ‘Pediatrics’ shows that babies who get at least 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day are better able to cope with the demands of learning and processing information compared to those who don’t receive this much rest. This translates into higher IQ scores among children who were reported to have slept well.
- Sleep boosts brain power. Studies show that adults with poor sleep quality (less than 6 hrs of sleep) are more likely to suffer from memory loss and forgetfulness. In contrast, people who are regular and adequate sleepers have greater concentration levels and improved ability to recall memories and learn new things.
- Sleep strengthens your immune system. We know that sleep is necessary to strengthen our immune systems; however, it goes without saying that sleeping enough can boost immunity too. Those who sleep well consistently tend to have fewer colds and flu symptoms.
- Sleep is essential for mental health. Our brains function best while we’re asleep. If our bodies are tired, then so should our minds. When we sleep well, we’re more alert, creative, and focused. And studies are showing that lack of sleep decreases creativity.
- Sleep aids digestion. Digestion begins in our stomachs, but ends in our bowels. That’s where the bulk of our digestive system takes place. When we sleep well at night, our digestive tract receives the proper stimulation it needs to keep everything running smoothly. People who regularly sleep poorly often complain about feeling bloated and constipated.
- Sleep helps prevent cancer. Cancer cells thrive under stress conditions, so they grow rapidly when exposed to high levels of hormones. When a person sleeps well, however, his/her hormone levels drop, leaving less room for cancerous growth.
A few things that can make sleep easier for you include:
Be consistent
Sleep schedules are established early in life. If your child wakes frequently, he may become accustomed to that pattern, but if he learns that he can fall asleep anywhere at any time, he’ll never develop this skill.
Keep noise down
When you’re trying to get your baby to sleep, keep the sounds around him down to a minimum — even white noise might disrupt his ability to relax enough to fall asleep.Noise is kept to a minimum. We recommend using white noise machines like fanstronauts, which helps mask sounds from any area of your home. You might try playing music but keep it low enough where it won’t bother your baby. It’s best if the music doesn’t have lyrics so it would be better to use nature sounds like waves crashing or birds chirping. You could even get a pair of soft slippers and wear them around your house!
Use calm colors
White walls aren’t the best choice for soothing babies, says Dr. Karpinetz. Try using soft pastel colors like cream, pink, light blue, green, yellow, or orange. These colors have been shown to reduce stress levels in adults. And they look great too!
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps regulate body temperature and keeps blood vessels dilated, which supports better circulation and promotes healthy sleep patterns. Your infant needs about six 8-ounce glasses per day; older children need about eight ounces per day. You can use juice boxes or a cupful of milk to give them fluids.
Give your baby a little snuggle
A cuddle from mom or dad can be just what a tired newborn craves — plus it’s a nice way to bond. Make sure that you’re not rocking too fast while holding your baby though, adds Dr. Karpinetz.
Avoid caffeine
Caffeine has a stimulating effect on our bodies, causing anxiety and insomnia. While some infants won’t notice the difference, others will wake up cranky after consuming caffeine, says Dr. Kornfeld.
Sleep training
The first few weeks after birth are extremely stressful for parents. You may feel overwhelmed with sleep issues, especially if your child has colic or other types of reflux issues that keep them up at night. Start out slow; gradually decrease the amount of time they spend in their newborn bassinet until you reach the point where your child is sleeping well through the night. If you’d like some tips from our pediatricians on how to do this, scroll down!
Keep the room cool
There is no need to run an air conditioner in your baby’s nursery. In fact, you might want to turn off the fan, too. A cool environment is soothing for babies—and it helps encourage them to sleep naturally.
Baby’s room has some sort of light throughout the day (at least from 6am-6pm).
Your child sleeps with his/her eyes closed. If they’re still awake at night, you might want to put them down in their crib so they don’t start moving around. This way, they’ll be able to fall asleep faster without waking up.
Try to cut back on naps. At night, your kid should be sleeping between 8pm-12pm. They need the rest and this will help them wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
Make sure to let him/her know how much you love them. When babies are younger than 1 year old, they have no idea what love means. By showing them love, you’re letting them know that you care about them and that you’ll always be there for them.
