Dealing With Baby Sleep Problems

Often, as a new parent you may think you are faced with baby sleep problems simply because your infant's sleep patterns are unlikely to distinguish between night or day for about the first three months. This is not to say that you should ignore obvious signs of difficulty your baby may be having with sleep.

You should know that baby sleep problems can be caused by a number of factors, such as boredom, illness, runny nose, frustration, soiled diapers, pain, hunger or thirst, environmental factors and other similar conditions. Since your baby is not yet able to communicate, you need to be cautious about these conditions to provide them with proper treatment immediately.

Stages of a Baby's Sleep Patterns

During the first three months, a baby requires about 15 hours of sleep. Baby sleep problems occur during this stage because your newborn usually stays asleep for only about four hours at a time, which is normal. This means you should not expect uninterrupted sleep for the first three months and take this time to watch your baby closely for possible health conditions.

Be aware that baby sleep problems and uninterrupted sleep for parents may take up to six months; however this too varies from one baby to the other. However, you can always help your child solve these baby sleep problems sooner by practicing a bedtime routine that you and your baby follow from the start.

One of the most common baby sleep problems is the resistance of the baby to sleep. Parents need to know about the signs that their baby is tired or ready to sleep. Babies at the age of six to eight weeks are asleep about only two hours at a time. Signs that your baby needs to sleep include rubbing the eyes, pulling the ear and other unique signs that your baby may tell you. Failing to spot these signs can make your baby become overtired, causing him or her to have trouble falling asleep.

It is important to understand your baby's sleep patterns to get him or her to bed when they're sleepy. Once you mastered these patterns, you can know instinctively when to put him down for sleep. Many parents neglect to teach their baby the difference between day and night. This is an important step in developing a proper sleep routine, and ought to be implemented as early as when your baby is two weeks old.

By understanding your baby's sleep patterns, teaching them the difference between day and night and allowing them to sleep on their own, you can ensure your baby sleeps soundly every time and your baby sleep problems will be over.

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