I read about mummies sharing abt their babies being like the most active in the nights and only start to sleep at daybreak. Omg! I am blessed that such a thing didnt and still hadnt happen to me and Eva!!
So you see, baby sleep patterns are also one of the main issues highlighted by many websites and qn posted in forums.
One of the key thing that has been repeatedly mentioned is how newborns cannot differentiate day and night yet and they tend to hav activities level similar to in the womb i.e when mummy is active in the day, baby inside would tend to sleep due to the rocking motion ; when mummy is resting and sleeping, baby inside starts to wake and kick!
Noting this point as one of my top priority newborn issue, right from the 2nd day of birth we started the following...
During day naps, we will not dim the room and instead allow her to sleep in natural lighting. We also will continue our normal activities without silencing everyone. We wanted her to be able to sleep regardless any kind of background noise. We talk as usual with sometimes TV on and phones were left on normal ringing volume as well. We only take note not to have sudden over loud sounds that could startle even adults.
Maybe because she was a jaundice baby hence she kind of sleep pretty well. She had her fussy times of course and even had a couple nights carrying her to sleep as she wont stop fussing and crying. I couldnt quite make out what she wanted.
She also had her Twilight hours between 11pm to 1am where she wont stop fussing as well. I also couldnt make out what exactly she wanted.
BUT.. all the significant ordeals pass by without me noticing and i think it went pass within days when I havent even quite figure out what to do..
Despite her fussing, it was still apparent that she knows very well when is day and when is night. By 2nd month, she was waking up only like at ard odd 3am? Before was last feed around 11pm or so and 1st feed after 3am normally around 5 to 6am. Basically I was thankful and impressed that she start sleeping through the night this young! (Note! Sleep through night is not as defined like as adult sleep. For babies a straight 5hrs would be considered so!)
So I attribute that quick progress to the daylight and nighttime accustomization. Of course in the night, not only will we ensure that she gets her deserved dimness in the room, she also gets her deserved silence which she doesnt get in the day.
I have come across babies who have to sleep in total dark room with air con and silence. Well, I seriously am not a supporter of that as it will make it so difficult for baby to nap naturally if on-the-go. Eva was doing well. Dozing off well even while waiting in polyclinic with hot weather and brightness with crying babies and kids around. At least she is getting the sleep that she needs.
We establish that so well that on her 1st few days in sch (aka infant care centre) she wouldnt sleep in the nap area as they have it dimmed down. Haha. Oops. So they put her in the play area instead.
Babies are very adaptive. So soon she was alright with the semi dimmed room and so is she alright with our normal.
So new mummies and daddies, do try to do this too for your babies if you wanna gain back your better rested nights sooner!!
Shall share more about Eva sleep patterns next round!
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