Heard a lot about baby sleep before they’ve even arrived? Here are the common myths, debunked…
Everyone tells you the same thing when you’re pregnant – enjoy sleep whilst you can! Well, we can confirm that this is true, thanks to your little munchkin’s sleep routine (or lack of it).
MYTH #1: BABIES SHOULD SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT AT SIX MONTHS
REALITY: Believe it or not, sleeping through the night isn’t actually that common. When baby transitions into their own room, they’ll most likely wake up and cry in the night or remain silent whilst they’re awake. Either way, newborn babies and adults don’t sleep without waking up a few times at night – and this applies to six-month olds too. For their own room, you’ll love the cosy Kensington Cot Bed, which features storage space for their toys, books and essential items.
MYTH #2: YOUR BABY WILL SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT WHEN THEY’VE NOT NAPPED AS MUCH IN THE DAY
REALITY: This is false. Never deprive your baby from napping in the day in the hope they’ll sleep better at night. In fact, when baby hasn’t slept enough in the day, bedtime and encouraging sleep will inevitably become harder. Interestingly, newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake – their daily sleep varying from 8 hours to 18 hours. By 4 months, they could be spending twice as long sleeping at night (which could be 8 hours or more) as they do in the day.
MYTH #3: BABIES WAKE UP IN THE NIGHT WHEN THEY’RE HUNGRY
REALITY: There are many reasons why your baby might wake up in the night. Of course, they may be hungry as they’ll need to feed often, but also bear in mind they might be too hot or cold, want a cuddle or have a wet or dirty nappy. To sleep next to your little sweetheart safely, opt for the Monroe Bedside Crib in Grey. With its reclining side for bonding, feeding and cuddling at night, there’s nothing more convenient for reaching baby quickly.
MYTH #4: ALL BABIES HAVE THE SAME SLEEP PATTERN
REALITY: Every baby is different, which means their sleep patterns are too. Some sleep for long periods, whereas others prefer short naps. Remember, babies aren’t born with circadian rhythms (it develops around 12 weeks), so sleep varies from AM to PM at first due to the frequency of feeding.
MYTH #5: IF A BABY IS OVERTIRED, THEY’LL SLEEP WELL
REALITY: This might be true for adults, but it’s certainly not for little babies. Overtiredness is caused by a baby not getting the adequate sleep they need. This causes their cortisol and adrenalin levels to gradually build up, keeping them wide awake. Unfortunately, these hormones fight against melatonin (the sleepy hormone), so you can imagine how hard it is for them to relax. Key signs your baby is overtired include excessive clinginess, constant crying, yawning a lot and rubbing their eyes. Our top tips? Put them down for a nap whenever they seem sleepy and try to create a calm environment – turn off the lights, have some skin to skin contact, gently rock them and give white noise a go. For the most comfortable baby sleeping pod, the Baby Nest in Amelia Cream can be used as a cosy cocoon from day to night