A 5-month-old baby doesn’t sleep well: how to get your baby to sleep well at night

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Published: 01/13/2021

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Cases where parents of a five-month-old child are concerned about their baby’s poor sleep are not that rare. Not only does it take incredible effort to put a baby to sleep, but you also have to constantly jump up in the middle of the night, as the baby wakes up again and again, is capricious and calls for already exhausted parents.

Having decided that this cannot continue, they decide that it is time to seek help from a specialist.

However, before you sound the alarm, you should determine the cause of restless sleep. Namely, to review the little person’s daily routine, his sleep pattern, study and eliminate possible irritants, and change the conditions in which the baby is used to falling asleep. There can be many options, and the task of parents is to find and eliminate the cause of their child’s endless awakenings at night.

• 1 The importance of sleep
• 2 Features of infant sleep at this age
• 3 Factors affecting sleep
• 4 Useful tips for mothers

Features of a baby at 5 months

By the age of 5 months, the child gains less weight.
After all, he becomes very active due to his curiosity. On average, the baby weighs about 6.5 kg and height is 65 centimeters. There is no particular difference between boys and girls at this age. They walk well, putting simple sounds into syllables. They love music. Those who are already sitting (and there are also such nimble little ones), having heard their favorite melody, begin to sway, as if dancing.

Children at this age show special interest in colorful pictures. Therefore, they enjoy looking at books where illustrations prevail over text. A five-month-old baby is already good at picking up small objects and throwing them. Many babies can roll over from their back to their tummy.

How long does a 5 month old baby sleep?

It is impossible to fit all children without exception to general standards. But there are still average standards. If at 4 months the baby sleeps up to 18 hours a day, now this time has been reduced. The daily sleep duration is about 16 hours. Why is this happening? Because the baby is becoming more and more inquisitive.

Exploratory activity, the ability to become interested in a game or subject for up to 10 minutes, reduces sleep time. If a child does not sleep well at night, is tossing around, or is restless, it is necessary to calculate his daily sleep.

It is believed that during the day, 5-month-old babies rest for about 6 hours with breaks. Thus, the frequency and duration of daily bedtimes is 3 times 1.5 hours each. The rest of the time, the child eats, plays, walks - in a word, develops intellectually and physically.

Based on these figures, the duration of night's rest is 9–10 hours. Of course, there are toddlers who sleep for 12 hours at night, but this is rare. As a rule, they do not rest much during the day.

A very important aspect for good sleep is going to bed. It should happen at the same time every day. It is better that no later than 22 hours the child is already in his crib. This schedule will allow you to have a good night's rest and gain fresh strength for the next day.

Features of infant sleep at this age

The five-month-old toddler begins to learn more and more about the world around him, and devotes less and less time to rest. The fact that your baby is not sleeping as much as before is absolutely normal and does not pose any danger. It is necessary to worry in cases where a 5-month-old child does not sleep well at night, wakes up almost every hour, restlessly turns around in his sleep, constantly tosses and turns, choosing a sleeping position, and even cries.

It should be borne in mind that the reason that the baby sleeps restlessly may be a normal feeling of hunger.

In addition, the child may be disturbed by intestinal colic or teeth starting to erupt. Also pay special attention to the conditions in which your child sleeps. Maintain the optimal temperature in the room (20-22 degrees), there should be no dust in the room. In the evening, avoid emotional and physical stress, and instead, it is better to create a calm atmosphere for your baby that is conducive to sleep.

A five-month-old baby's nightly rest should be at least 9 hours. There is nothing wrong if he sleeps for 10-12 hours. During the day, a six-hour rest with awakenings for feeding is considered the norm. And yet, the rate of sleep for an infant depends on the child himself. In other words, based on the baby’s behavior, his mood and condition, you can determine whether he sleeps enough or needs additional rest.

Pediatric doctors advise putting children to bed at the same time. Changes in daily routine and sleep patterns negatively affect the child’s quality of rest, and therefore, his general condition and further development. Think about the most appropriate times for sleep, play and walks and stick to this schedule.

Use the table to know how much time and at what age your baby should rest:

The importance of sleep for a child

Pay attention to how a 5-month-old child behaves if he does not sleep well at night. Constant breakdowns and capriciousness, tearfulness do their job. The child becomes irritable and uncontrollable. He has no time to do research. From here, scientists have highlighted several points why sleep is so important for a 5-month-old child.

1. Restoring physical strength.
2. Rest is not only for the body, but also for the brain. Mental activity is restored after an excess of information received during wakefulness.
3. Cell growth occurs more actively.

All this is very important for the full development of the baby. It has been established that with age a child needs less rest. That’s why a 5-month-old baby needs proper sleep.

Determination of sleep norms

Each baby has its own sleep norm. It all depends on how much time the baby rests per day. Signs of lack of sleep are:

1. Irritability and fatigue.
2. While awake, the child is not focused and constantly rubs his eyes.
3. Constant thoughtfulness of the baby.

If a child spins around in his sleep, behaves restlessly, and wakes up the next morning and is capricious, it means he is not getting enough sleep. But some parents believe that this is the norm for a child: he doesn’t sleep well at night, which means he doesn’t want to or isn’t tired.

On the contrary, children who spend a lot of time sleeping can alarm parents. But this shouldn't always be a concern. Here you need to pay attention to how the baby behaves while awake. If he is active and cheerful, easily interested in what is happening, then this is his time. There's no need to worry.

How to improve sleep for a 5 month old baby

First of all, you need to try to create the most comfortable conditions for a night's rest: a comfortable crib, a ventilated room, the absence of bright lights and harsh sounds.

You should also satisfy natural needs in a timely manner - feed him at his request, change diapers on time, pay attention and communicate with him.

It is believed that children who sleep with their parents fall asleep easier, wake up less often at night and are capricious, and all because in order to attract attention they do not need to cry, but just move ─ the parents are already nearby and show their care. It also helps everyone in the family get a good night's sleep.

The child will fall asleep better if, before a night's rest, you create a kind of sleepy ritual, that is, before putting him to bed, a set of stereotypical actions are carried out that are repeated day after day. For example, a child is bathed, fed, then a lullaby is sung to him and then he falls asleep. To prevent your baby from getting scared and feeling lonely when he wakes up at night, you can put a toy in his crib that will be with him while he sleeps. Also, while the child falls asleep and until he falls asleep, you can affectionately repeat the same phrase, which will become a kind of “signal” to fall asleep and when pronounced, he will then fall asleep better.

When does long night sleep develop?

In the first month of life, a newborn baby does not distinguish day from night; the body does not yet produce the “sleep hormone” melatonin. A newborn sleeps in ri: about 3 hours of sleep - short wakefulness, which includes feeding - sleep again. The period of night sleep is almost equal in duration to daytime sleep: the norm of sleep for a baby in the first month of life is 8-9 hours of sleep at night and 7-8 hours of sleep during the day.

In the second month of life, from about 6 weeks, nighttime sleep gradually becomes longer - the baby sleeps less and less during the day and more and more at night. Most children have one continuous 5-6 hour sleep. This is the future night's sleep, its duration will increase as the baby grows. This process is called the sleep consolidation process around nighttime.

From the age of 3 months, the baby should sleep 10-11 hours a night, and this duration of night sleep lasts for many months, up to 4 years, then gradually decreases. Significant changes in the rhythm of the day occur mainly with daytime sleep - the amount of daytime sleep is reduced until it disappears completely by the age of 4 years.

Babies have only one long and continuous period of sleep during the day. As the child grows, the number of nighttime awakenings gradually decreases, and the duration of a long stretch of uninterrupted sleep increases. Baby can sleep:

• 3 weeks – 3.5 hours of continuous sleep
• at 2 months – 5-6 hours of continuous sleep
• at 6 months – 6-8 hours of continuous sleep
• at 12 months – 10-11 hours of continuous sleep

Up to 10 months it is necessary to maintain night feedings, and awakenings for feedings are preserved. From 10 months you can start talking about avoiding night feedings, but it is important that your pediatrician gives permission for this. From 12 months you can safely give up night feedings; there is no physiological need for such feedings, and the child’s digestive system also needs rest. At this age, children can sleep through the night without waking up.

Why is it important to sleep continuously for a long time at night?

Perhaps some parents find it convenient when their child sleeps for a long period of time during the day. You can get a lot of things done around the house while your baby is sleeping. But in fact, the correct balance of daytime and nighttime sleep is important for a child’s quality sleep. And the situation in which the baby sleeps longer during the day and stays awake for long periods of time at night is not entirely healthy.

It is very important that a long and uninterrupted period of sleep occurs at night. If a child sleeps well and long during the day, he will not be able to sleep long at night.

In this way, the child compensates for the lack of night sleep, although not all children can do this. And if a child sleeps for a long time and continuously during the day, he will not be able to sleep for a long time at night. Sleeping too much during the day can lead to problems with waking up early, waking up frequently at night, and staying out for long periods of time. In such situations, parents often say that their child “confused day and night.” This is very difficult for parents who cannot compensate for the lack of sleep at night during the day and negatively affects the formation of the baby’s biorhythms.

How to avoid waking up at night

Often a 5-month-old baby does not sleep well due to hunger. That is why you should put your baby to sleep at night only on a full stomach. It is important to exclude sweets from the diet, as saccharides negatively affect the general condition of the child. To avoid frequent awakenings, regular bed changes are recommended. Before putting your baby into bed, the sheets and blanket should be warm. Also, a 5-month-old child does not sleep well due to a change in routine. It is not recommended to shift the daily routine by more than 1 hour.

You cannot interrupt your child's sleep. If he wants to sleep a little earlier than expected, then you need to immediately put him to bed. This will eliminate the likelihood of subsequently developing chronic lack of sleep or insomnia. Before going to bed at night, the baby should be busy with active activities: swimming, crawling, playing, walking. This is necessary for the body to expend a large amount of energy. In this case, the baby will ask to go to bed within a few hours. At least 4 hours should pass between evening and night sleep. It is not recommended to put your child to bed before 20.00.

What can affect him at different ages?

Lack of sleep for a baby negatively affects his general, mental and physical condition, as it can contribute to the development of a chronic disorder and even neurosis.
Professor N. Krasnogorsky revealed that a constant lack of even two hours of sleep in childhood contributes to poor weight gain and the development of behavioral reactions. One of them is the so-called “disobedience syndrome”. We recommend reading: CPAP therapy: principle of action, indications and contraindications

There are a huge number of reasons that can affect this process at different ages. They can even be an incipient illness, invisible to others, emotional shock, etc.

In infancy, the most common causes are: intestinal colic, uncomfortable climate, teething, separation from mother, hunger, thirst, improper diet, diseases of organs and systems (for example, rickets, encephalopathy), etc.

From the age of one and a half to three years, more mature reasoning and feelings of fear are formed, which can worsen the baby’s sleep during this period.

In the period from three to five years, the cause of poor sleep can be: stress, illness, disturbances in the daily routine.

In older age, the reasons that contribute to the disruption of this process may be the following factors.

1. Long-term use of various devices: tablets, phones, TVs. They need to be turned off at least one hour before bedtime.
2. The use of medications prescribed by a doctor, which can contribute to the development of insomnia and sleep disturbances.
3. Increased activity before going to bed.
4. Drinking large amounts of tea, coffee, chocolate, as these products contain high caffeine content.
5. Eating food before bed, especially fatty and spicy foods. The last dose should be at least one to two hours before bedtime.
6. Unfavorable indoor microclimate. Before putting your baby to sleep or lying down yourself, it is recommended to ventilate the room and create a favorable temperature in the room.
7. Stress, quarrels, etc.

In adulthood, the time allotted for sleep should not be less than 8 hours and then it will be enough to restore strength.

Characteristic baby behavior

At an early age, from approximately 1 year to 3 years, signs of impaired night rest are reflected in the child’s behavior:

• A child as young as one year old may stay up at night to play. Regularly entertaining a child at 2 a.m. exhausts his parents. The situation is not normal and requires regime correction.
• A separate concern for the mother is the nighttime shuddering of the newborn. Uneven muscle tension during rest leads to paroxysmal muscle spasms. If the phenomenon is not regular, then the fears are unfounded.

As you grow older, disruptions in the process of night sleep also change:

• The age of six is ​​a time of rapid development of imagination. From now on, night terrors are relevant. An older child may be frightened by every rustle and be terrified of being left alone in the room.
• Fear of the dark, new surroundings due to “relocation” to a separate room. All this contributes to the fact that the child does not sleep in his own bed at night, but strives to get into his parents’ bed. As a result, everyone’s personal space is “infringed upon,” and bad sleep is passed on to those nearby.
• Sleepwalking is a frightening phenomenon for many, but is not actually considered dangerous. Before the age of 6 years, it is associated with peculiarities of brain development. Signs often appear during the new moon and full moon: the child wakes up, itches a lot, talks in his sleep, can get up, move around the room, scream, not paying attention to adults.

When at least one of the symptoms occurs, it is time to identify the cause of this anomaly and draw up a list of corrective measures. If you let things take their course, the consequences may not be harmless at all.

Reasons for violating the rest regime

Before dealing with a problem, you need to determine the cause of its occurrence.

Source: Getty

Often a child at 5 months does not sleep well due to teething.

Typically insomnia is caused by:

• hunger;
• bad feeling;
• hyperactivity;
• first teeth

5 month old babies still need night feedings. If a child is full, he wakes up less often. Sometimes breast milk is not enough, so it is worth taking a closer look at formulas.

A child may also be capricious due to a stuffy nose. Measure your body temperature and apply drops if necessary.

If your child is overstressed or hyperactive, visit a doctor. The specialist will tell you what to do, select medications, massage, and may recommend relaxing baths.

The first teeth are usually cut at 5 months. Check this guess and start using cooling gels.

No regime - no order

This is true. If the baby does not have a daily routine and is free to do whatever he wants, sleep problems are inevitable.

• The child does not yet have a sense of time;

If there is no order of actions, chaos sets in in his head. It is difficult for the body to understand what should follow what, what it needs to prepare for. A special role here is played by special repeating rituals that help the baby anticipate the approach of sleep.

• It is quite possible that by the time the child goes to sleep, he will be actively playing something or, even “better”, watching TV (yes, I’m shocked too! But more and more often, children are shown cartoons at both 2 and 5 months!);

Then you simply won’t be able to quickly switch it to the desired wave; it takes time.

• The child is put to bed late. He will most likely wake up also late and will not have time to get tired by the time he naps. Most likely, he will fall asleep, but much later, pushing back the night's sleep again. It turns out that the child does not sleep at night and you can’t really put him to sleep during the day;
• It happens that parents incorrectly determine the child’s sleep norm and wake him up in the morning. If your baby doesn't get enough sleep, he won't necessarily get enough sleep at any time.

More often it’s the other way around: overwork develops into nervous overexcitation. At the same time, the child does not want to sleep at night, being exhausted day after day.

How to fix? That's right - get used to a daily routine that includes mandatory rituals, takes into account age-related sleep standards and the individual characteristics of your baby.

Excessive guardianship

Many mothers show excessive care for their baby. Is it possible? Alas. You can “babysit” a child quite quickly, but you are unlikely to like the consequences.

If you use all possible methods to put the child to sleep (giving the breast, while constantly “shushing” him, rocking him in his arms and making white noise), then the child will demand the entire set of his dear helpers at night.

If up to 5-6 months. motion sickness may be necessary, then after 6 months the child only needs one condition to fall asleep.

Important! There is no need to turn a dream into a sacred dance with tambourines, and then become its hostage.

The child does not allow his mother to sleep at night, day after day, month after month, and the habits of all sleep “helpers” only become stronger.

At 1.5 -2 years old, you can get a child who does not fall asleep for hours, tormenting his parents endlessly: to grab his hands, eat some water, pee, I'm afraid alone, give me a toy, dreamed of a babayk - this is an incomplete list of his endless nightly “problems”.

About the main causes of poor sleep

What could be the cause of poor sleep and frequent awakenings of a baby at the age of 5 months? First of all, these are the following factors.

• Hunger. For a 5-month-old baby, waking up at night is the norm, he needs to be fed according to his demand, this can be every 2-3 hours. Exclusively breastfed children usually require nutrition more often than bottle-fed children. After receiving the next portion of milk, the baby goes back to sleep. We must remember that you should not deliberately wake up your child minute by minute ─ it is better to feed him on demand.
• Wet diapers. A wet diaper may be the reason why a 5-month-old baby wakes up every hour at night. Some children may wake up and become fussy just when they want to go to the toilet. Therefore, if your child wakes up and cries, you should check his diaper.
• Uncomfortable bed. A mattress that is too hard or too soft, seams on bedding, or an unpleasant texture can all negatively affect your baby’s quality of sleep.
• The baby is cold or hot. The baby should be dressed appropriately for the temperature in the room; he should not be overly bundled up or left undressed.
• There is too much light or sound around. From a young age (no matter how old he is, five or only a month and a half old and it seems that he still doesn’t understand anything) the difference between day and night should be shown: during the day there is a lot of light, a lot of sounds, at night it is better to try to create a calm atmosphere and dim lighting .
• Teeth. A 5-month-old baby may start teething, which can cause him to have trouble sleeping at night, waking up frequently, fidgeting and even moaning. Parents may notice swelling of the gums and a slight increase in body temperature. You can help by rocking the baby, massaging the gums, and also using a teether, which, when biting, speeds up and facilitates teething.
• Stuffy nose, stomach pain, or other health problems. If all possible reasons for why your child wakes up every hour at night have been ruled out, he may be sick and should see a doctor.
• Character traits. A child even at 5 months can already show his temperament and have difficulty sleeping at night. He may be easily excitable, have difficulty relaxing and being distracted from extraneous sounds and rustles.

Where it leads

Violation of the daily routine in a one-year-old child, expressed in night games, can lead to disruption of biorhythms. As a result, the baby runs the risk of confusing day and night for a long time, which will not benefit the health of all family members. The child does not fall asleep on time and often twitches in his sleep. Such symptoms may indicate neurological diseases. Therefore, it is worth taking medical advice.

Advice! You cannot ignore children's fears or mock them. For an older child, frightening experiences are quite serious and require understanding and tact.

Parents can help their child cope with phobias on their own, at home. If you lack personal knowledge and skills, you can always count on the help of a psychologist.

We recommend reading: Insomnia: what is it, why does it happen, what to do and how to get rid of insomnia at home?

The main factor in organizing a child’s living space is the consistency of educational actions. It’s wrong if mom sends you to bed at 10 p.m., and dad allows you to watch cartoons until 10 p.m. The “Good and Evil Cop” method has no place here. The opinions of adults regarding prohibitions, rewards, and punishments should be unanimous.

Factors that harm proper rest

What are the reasons why a 5 month old baby doesn't sleep well at night? If a daytime nap cannot compensate for the baby’s daily need for rest, it means that something is bothering him or he is experiencing discomfort. First of all, we advise you to recall recent events. Perhaps the baby was excited by the arrival of guests, new acquaintances, moving, the conversation of others in a raised voice, or another incident that caused very strong feelings.

Pediatricians say that a 5-month-old child does not sleep well at night for the following reasons:

1. Hyperactivity imposes certain restrictions on children's recreation. The more tired a person is while awake, the more difficult it is for him to fall asleep. And even if he does doze off, his sleep will most likely be very light. No sedatives are needed, just add a decoction of soothing herbs (lemon balm, mint, St. John's wort, chamomile, etc.) to the bathing water.
2. Sometimes a child falls asleep well, but then wakes up again due to a feeling of hunger. Some babies can wake up up to 3 times at night, while for others it is enough to eat once. There is an important rule: no matter how many times the baby wakes up to eat, you cannot refuse him. Hunger for infants is a very big stress that affects development.
3. Rarely, poor sleep quality during the day or night is caused by illness. If you find that the baby is restless, spinning and sobbing, pay attention to his condition. Perhaps the baby's nose is blocked and he cannot breathe normally. Be sure to measure your body temperature. The sooner you start treatment, the easier the baby will cope with the disease.
4. At this age, the first teeth begin to cut. As a rule, this process does not go unnoticed for the child’s body and causes a lot of inconvenience. The gums become swollen, very itchy, and in some cases even bleed. Always keep special dental gels with a cooling effect on hand. Before using them, you should consult your doctor.
5. Often a baby does not sleep well at night due to intestinal colic. This is a very common phenomenon that disappears on its own before 3 years of age. It is not difficult to identify such a problem: the baby will cry a lot and press his legs against his tense stomach (this reduces the intensity of pain).

Causes of sleep disturbances

Why does the child sleep so poorly at night? If the duration of rest during the day does not compensate for the baby’s daily needs, it means that something is bothering him. It is necessary to figure out which factor prevents the toddler from falling asleep.

1. Hyperactivity . Often the baby does not sleep well at night due to his energy. He is constantly spinning, his sleep is light. In fact, this state of affairs requires specialist consultation. Neurology of a weak or strong form may occur, only a doctor will figure it out. Perhaps there is nothing serious. It will be enough to get by with soothing baths before bed.
2. Hunger . At 5 months, babies still wake up at night due to hunger. Some get up once, and some get up all 3 times. It is imperative to feed the little one well with breast milk or formula, then sleep will be sounder. But you can’t deny your baby night feedings. The body is still too small to experience such stress.
3. Disease . Often a baby who tosses around all night and sleeps restlessly wakes up the next morning with a stuffy nose. It is worth paying attention to the child’s well-being. After all, the sooner treatment begins, the shorter the disease will be. Even at night, you can put drops into your baby’s nose to relieve itching and scratching. Don't be afraid of disturbing him. If sleep does not bring anything good precisely because of the onset of an illness, you definitely won’t make it worse. If possible, you can also take your temperature.
4. Teeth cutting. For some, the first tooth begins to peck earlier, for others later. Therefore, it's time to stock up on cooling gels so that you always have them on hand for such an occasion.

Whatever the reason, each deserves attention. A clear analysis of what is happening and monitoring the condition of the baby is necessary. How can you help him if the child regularly behaves restlessly at night?

Does a child need a pillow to sleep?

It is quite difficult for adults to accept “on faith” the statement that children under 1.5-2 years old do not need any pillows in principle. However, you will have to! The fact is that, proportionally, children under the age of about 2 years are very different from older people - they have a large head, a rather short neck and narrow shoulders. Adults use a pillow to compensate for the distance between the surface of the bed and the head, so that the neck does not bend.

But babies don’t have such a need - if you lay the baby on its side, you will see that its head lies on the surface of the bed, but the neck remains straight (because the head is still large and the shoulders are short). However, if it seems to you that your child does not sleep well at night precisely because he is simply uncomfortable, experiment with a pillow, for which a diaper folded several times will be perfect at first.

If it seems to you that it is no longer very comfortable for an older baby to sleep without a pillow, give him a flat, soft, hypoallergenic pillow. But its height should be minimal!

Causes of poor night sleep

One of the main sources of insomnia is the baby’s character. If he is hyperactive while awake, then his sleep will be weak and light. Such children are easy to wake up. How much does a 5 month old child diagnosed with hyperactivity sleep? On average, such children need an hour more than the generally accepted norm for optimal rest. The fact is that the body of a hyperactive child requires a longer time to recover, since during the waking period it exhausts its entire supply of vital energy. Another common cause of restless sleep is illness. How long does a 5 month old baby sleep at night if he has a cold? It all depends on the presence and degree of complications of acute respiratory infections. Fever and chills can be relieved with medications, but getting rid of a runny nose is almost impossible. In this case, the baby will be forced to suffer all night from a stuffy nose. Therefore, during a cold, a child can only sleep for a few hours with long breaks.

If your child doesn't sleep well, should you take him into your bed?

Currently, many progressive pediatricians argue that a mother and her child should sleep together - both physiologically and psychologically this is justified and useful. However, the majority of, so to speak, “classical” pediatric doctors believe that all the arguments put forward in favor of co-sleeping between parents and children do not stand up to criticism. For example:

Sleeping together between mother and baby preserves and supports breastfeeding. Many mothers justify co-sleeping by saying that the baby needs to be breastfed on demand. And when the baby sleeps “nearby” it is much more convenient to do this than when he is in his crib, or even in his room. However, it is quite possible to organize breastfeeding in such a way that you only have to get up to feed once a night, and 4-6 months after the baby is born, you will be able to enjoy a full night’s sleep. And even if you are an ardent fan of on-demand feeding, then even in this case there is a chance that you won’t have to “drag” the baby into the parent’s bed: it’s enough to buy an additional crib. The baby will be nearby, but still in his own crib!

Co-sleeping psychologically protects the baby. Parents often explain the presence of children in their bed by the fact that in this way the children receive psychological protection, they do not suffer from nightmares and sleep better. However, doctors have confirmed that the so-called childhood night terror syndrome “affects” many times more often precisely those children who from birth slept together with their mother (with parents), and at the age of 1.5-2-3 years were “moved” to a separate crib. As a rule, according to psychologists, children who initially slept separately from their parents do not experience nightmares or night terrors at all.

During co-sleeping, there are more opportunities to control the condition of the newborn baby. It's right. As well as the fact that during co-sleeping there are also great risks of disrupting the fragile health of the newborn - crushing him, as well as creating a hot, stuffy microclimate and oxygen deficiency (which can cause sudden infant death syndrome). In general, when it comes specifically to newborns and infants, doctors consider the following to be the ideal option for their night sleep: mom and dad sleep on the marital bed, and the child either in an additional crib or in a special co-slipper (a child's sleeping place like "nest") Thus, adults and children sleep very close together, but at the same time each has their own living space and air. But after six months, the baby can be safely “resettled” into a separate crib, and even into a separate room.

On the left is an example of how it is extremely undesirable to sleep with a baby. The risks are too great: you can crush the child in his sleep, he may become too hot or stuffy... On the left is an example of how a mother and child can stay close to each other, but without risking the health of the baby and the well-being of his parents.

Most pediatricians, whose opinions have earned a certain authority among parents, are inclined to believe that the child should sleep separately, without violating the “integrity” of the parent’s bed. Each family member should have their own living space - first it is formed at the level of a sleeping place, and then, over time, it grows into a way of life in which an adult child and then an adult respect the needs and desires of other people.

We recommend reading: Exploding head syndrome: possible causes and treatments

Reasons why a child sleeps poorly

Sleep problems in children can arise both immediately after birth and closer to six months of age. It is worth considering the most common among them.

Hunger

Both in the first month of life and at the age of five months, children need night feeding. Moreover, he may feel hungry several times a night. If he is denied food, it will lead to a nervous breakdown. Without receiving the desired portion of breast milk or infant formula, he simply will not fall asleep.

It is recommended to feed your baby every time he asks. True, it is not always the case that a baby does not sleep at 5 months due to hunger. If the cause of sleep disturbance lies in something else, he will simply refuse to eat.

Onset of the disease

Restless sleep in infants is often explained by the development of the disease. If the baby becomes agitated and sleeps poorly, you need to monitor his condition. The onset of the pathological process is indicated by the following changes:

• nasal congestion;
• tearfulness;
• lethargy;
• loss of appetite;
• temperature;
• hard breath.

In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. Thanks to this, it will be possible to start treatment in a timely manner and normalize night sleep.

Lack of comfort

The reason that the baby wakes up every hour and cannot fall asleep for a long time is often a lack of comfort. The following factors can cause such problems:

• thick, heavy blanket;
• overfilled diaper;
• intestinal colic;
• the room is hot or cold.

You should also remember if you have used any new personal care products or laundry detergent in the last month. They can cause an allergic reaction. The resulting feeling of discomfort prevents proper rest.

Lack of activity during the day

Children have a huge amount of energy that they need to release throughout the day. If it is not used up, babies wake up at night. In order for your baby to sleep soundly, he needs activity during the day. After all, if he is not tired, it will be almost impossible to put him to sleep.

Therefore, from the very morning you need to pay more attention to the baby, talk to him, carry him in your arms, play.

If the day is busy, the baby will certainly fall asleep quickly and sleep well.

Teething

Even if your baby eats several times at night, he may not sleep well. The reason why a child wakes up is often teething. This process causes many inconveniences. The following changes are noted:

• anxiety;
• gums become swollen and itchy;
• excessive salivation;
• The baby drags toys and fists into his mouth.

Sometimes the temperature even rises and a runny nose appears . It is worth seeking advice from a pediatrician. He will tell you how to alleviate the baby's condition.

What position is best for a child to sleep in?

After a year, the baby’s position during sleep (from the point of view of parental control) has very little meaning - whatever is more convenient and comfortable for the child, so in the end he will turn. But up to a year - posture is of great importance!

Pediatricians around the world do not recommend that parents place newborns and infants on their stomachs while sleeping. This is dangerous and can lead to the so-called sudden infant death syndrome.

The root cause of this terrible condition is respiratory arrest. But what causes it is still unknown. However, doctors have noticed that children in the first year of life who sleep on their stomachs die much more often. That is why doctors advise placing babies on their backs (the head is turned to the side so that the baby does not choke during a sudden regurgitation) or on their side.

If you are sure that your child sleeps poorly on his back or side, but sleeps well when lying on his stomach, then sit vigilantly next to your baby and make sure that sudden regurgitation or choking does not cause the greatest tragedy in the family.

How to fix?

Give your child a sense of calm that you are nearby and are not going anywhere. For 1 week, completely stop thinking about how to escape while you sleep. Be there and nourish the child with your presence.

In addition to this, we include all the options for reducing anxiety, taking into account the child’s age, we begin to actively demonstrate our maternal role, and we make sure that all the basic points of the regime are age-appropriate.

Often this approach is enough to resolve the question of why the child does not sleep at night.

Establish a regime

The daily routine should be constant, and all its key components should take place at the same time. Young children love predictability. This gives them a sense of security and is the makings of an internal mental “core”. Such a basis activates emotional self-regulation and adaptability to new conditions in the future. Bedtime “rituals” can be good helpers in this matter. For example, drink a glass of warm milk every evening.

Check your health status

In case of prolonged sleep disturbance, it would not be superfluous to be examined by a neurologist, cardiologist, or psychotherapist. If there are breathing difficulties, consultation with an otolaryngologist is necessary. Once a diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment is prescribed. Getting rid of the main ailment returns sound sleep.

Take into account age characteristics and temperament

Starting from the first grade, nightmares and fears come into a child’s life. It's worth taking the time to work through them. A proven remedy against phobias is humor or pity.

Advice! Draw the annoying monster in detail, then laugh at him or feel sorry for him (he is not evil, although he is scary, they just don’t want to be friends with him). You can find a “protector” - a white teddy bear, who, in times of danger, will turn into a huge bear and defeat everyone. It can be helpful to leave a night light on in the room.

It happens that a child does not want to sleep due to negative associations. This may be a consequence of past impressions of a quarrel during the rest period, loud noises. This phenomenon is especially typical for sensitive children of melancholic or phlegmatic temperament. Among choleric people, aversion to sleep may be associated with punishment for wrongdoing (if you behave badly, you will go to sleep).

Don't overload your psyche

Physical activity on the street after school will bring more positive results than numerous activities in clubs and sections. Living in a “busy” schedule, a person is unlikely to acquire superpowers, but various “illnesses” are easy. People's Doctor Komarovsky claims that the holidays are a “holy” time when all types of scientific activity are taboo. You can develop by reading an interesting, not a “useful” book. Communication with different people, mastering unusual skills (fishing, cycling) will perfectly fill the day and help you fall asleep at night.

Make you tired during the day

Daytime sleep is desirable for no more than two hours. If the child does not sleep at night, experts advise gently waking up the sleepyhead after the daily limit has expired. Otherwise, parents will not be able to sleep at night, since they will have to entertain the baby. It is necessary to properly organize gaming and cognitive activities.

It is important to know! Active activities - in the first half of the day, evening - time for quiet reading of fairy tales. A maximally vigorous morning (massage for infants, exercise for older ones) will help to correctly set the biological clock.

Provide comfort in the bedroom

A separate place to rest is recommended from two or three months of age. Ideally, this is a side bed with an open side. You can move the stroller closer, which will make night feeding easier. Thus, the baby will learn his own “separateness” and will be able to fall asleep on his own in the future. A comfortable blanket, a moderately hard mattress, cotton diapers, cool air in the bedroom are important aspects in organizing a night's rest.