Strategies for a Better Night's Sleep?

Answer 1

During the first year of life, most babies awaken at night frequently. This is normal and may be caused by a number of different factors. Hunger or thirst can cause babies to wake up; because their stomachs are still small and their metabolic and digestive processes tend to work more quickly, babies require smaller, more frequent feedings. A wet or soiled diaper can also cause discomfort and awaken the baby. Finally, babies may just want company or feel lonely. Numerous strategies have been suggested to help parents cope with incidents of night waking and have produced varying degrees of success.

Extinction methods

Extinction strategies for handling night waking are considered harsh and archaic by some pediatric specialists. Essentially, the parents are instructed to ignore the child until he or she falls asleep on their own. Exceptions are made for infants in the first few months of life; additionally, these strategies can be altered to include brief comforting and checking on the child before enforcing the extinction policy once more. While some parents have achieved good results with these methods, they have largely been abandoned in favor of more measured responses to night waking.

Co-sleeping arrangements

Some parents choose to share their sleeping space with younger children in order to provide them with security and safety during the night. While co-sleeping arrangements have been shown to offer some protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), shared sleeping spaces are not an acceptable option for many parents and may present added difficulties for parents and children when the practice is eventually discontinued.

Rocking and swaddling

For younger babies, rocking and swaddling techniques can often provide added comfort for the baby and may promote longer sleep times. While these methods are not suitable for older children, they can often help babies to feel more secure and reduce the incidence of night waking for reasons other than hunger or wetness.

Night waking in older children

When older children experience frequent incidents of night waking and insomnia, physicians often recommend reducing the amount of sugar and caffeine in the diet. Additionally, refraining from drinking water immediately before bedtime can reduce the need for midnight bathroom breaks and incidents of bedwetting. These simple tactics can often reduce the frequency of night waking and provide a better night's sleep for older children.

A restful night's sleep is essential for good health and proper growth. By helping children acquire good sleeping habits, parents can establish the right foundation for a healthy future.