Infant Sleep
Everything you need to know about infant sleep
Maintaining good sleep cycles is extremely important for infants. It has a direct impact on their overall growth and development. Sleep is a critical component of infant development, and adequate sleep is essential for healthy growth and development. Sleep patterns change rapidly during infancy, and parents need to understand normal sleep patterns and establish healthy sleep habits early on.
Newborns sleep most of the day but frequently wake to feed. By the age of three months, most infants are sleeping for longer periods at night and are starting to establish a more regular sleep-wake cycle. By six months, many infants sleep for longer stretches at night and take regular naps during the day.
Parents need to establish a consistent sleep routine for their baby, including a regular bedtime and nap schedule. This can help infants learn when it is time to sleep and can reduce the likelihood of sleep disruptions. However, various factors such as illnesses and habit changes like crawling, walking, and turning may impact sleep patterns. Besides these, children also face various sleep disorders that parents need to be aware of.
Common sleep disorders in children
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is a condition in which the child faces difficulty breathing during sleep. This could either be a partial difficulty or a complete blockage during sleep. It could be attributed to a blockage of the upper airway passage during sleep.
Symptoms include snoring, paused breathing, restless sleep, coughing or choking, mouth breathing, sleep terrors and bed-wetting. Eventually, upon growing up, it could also result in behavioural issues.
If your child wakes up too tired or hasn't slept well due to disturbed sleep, it's time to consult a pediatric consultant,
Parents can also help their babies establish healthy sleep habits by creating a comfortable sleep environment. For example, the baby's sleep area should be free of any hazards, such as loose bedding or soft toys, and the room should be kept at a comfortable temperature. Putting babies to sleep on their backs is also important, as this reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
If sleep disturbances persist, parents should speak with their healthcare provider. Sometimes, sleep disturbances may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea or reflux.
In conclusion, adequate sleep is essential for healthy infant development. Parents can help their baby establish healthy sleep habits by creating a consistent sleep routine and comfortable environment. Responding to the baby's cues and providing comfort as needed is also important. If sleep disturbances persist, parents should speak with their healthcare provider. With proper care and attention, most infants can establish healthy sleep patterns and go on to develop into healthy and thriving children.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, booking an online appointment with us is highly recommended. For more urgent appointments, you can also check with the admin assistant; just call us on 0280692127.
It is also advised to get your child checked every year. Routine check-ups are a must to track growth & development for the child's overall well-being.
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