How To Teach Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night

Mothers almost always have bags under their eyes. That’s just the way it is. But in the first few days of our newborn’s life, these bags get even heavier. Dad has them too . What we want most of all is that our baby sleeps for eight hours so we can get some peace too. So how do we teach our baby to sleep through the night?

The truth is, we need to be patient, especially in the first three months.

What can we hope for?

Do not give up, it will get better with time. Here we will explain what will happen to the baby’s sleep pattern and how we can help babies sleep through the night.

What can we do to help babies sleep through the night? If you are reading this question, you can expect to find some magical, flawless formulas. But as you already know, such a thing does not exist with humans.

However, there are a few techniques that you can put into practice. Try them and see which ones work best for you. One thing that is key is to establish a routine.

Babies already know how to sleep, they just have a different sleep pattern than adults. As explained in the book Sleep Without Tears, by Rosa Jove, studies have shown that the fetus, in the womb, during the third trimester periods of pregnancy shows movement followed by phases of inactivity. These are very similar to a newborn baby’s sleep pattern.

From birth, the baby will gradually sleep less and less and in a more stable pattern. They want a long night’s sleep and short naps after feeding.

Give them a routine

One of the best pieces of advice is to help your baby maintain this pattern with a daily routine. This way, we can make these naps easier, and make sure bedtime is at about the same time each day. These are moments that allow you to get some rest.

Sleep is a progressive process that adapts to human needs. A newborn does not sleep in the same way as a child. A child, on the other hand, sleeps differently than an adult who sleeps differently than an older person. At different ages we have different needs.
-Pink Jove, Sleep Without Tears (‘Dormir Sin Lagrimas’) –

The most sensible thing in the first three months of their life is to follow the signs that your baby gives you. For example, if they fall asleep while breastfeeding or while holding them in your arms, place them in a place where they can sleep. This could be their crib, a stroller or a basket.

Some experts explain that during early childhood, your baby can quickly go from being tired to being alert and awake. So if they are awake, encourage this conscious state, by playing with them. In this way, you help them distinguish between periods of wakefulness and sleep.

It is also good to help your baby distinguish between day and night. You can do this through interaction. For example, during the day, you can play with your baby, talk to them or play music with them . At night, try to speak in a low voice, and avoid turning on the lights. This will help.

Benefits of a routine

Jove explains that the baby’s sleep from birth to four to six months of age, has only two phases, while from that age onwards it can have up to five phases, just like adults. This explains the rapid shift between sleep and wakefulness.

That their sleep has only two phases means that they often wake up. When these two phases are over, they wake up to eat, to strengthen the bond with their parents and to avoid danger. After all, they do not know that there is no danger and they need security to know that their parents are nearby, as the psychologist explains.

Richard Ferber, author of Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems , highlights the fact that when babies are three months old, they have already developed a fairly predictable circadian pattern, and it is necessary to give them consistent structure.

At this stage  , make an effort to establish a daily routine and stick to it as much as possible. That way, the author says it is likely that your child will continue to develop good sleep patterns.

As Ferber explains, if your child’s meals, playtimes, baths, and times for other activities change constantly, their sleep patterns are more likely to be irregular.

Be flexible when you want your baby to sleep through the night

Jove points out that no one has ever shown routines to be harmful (unless, of course, they become obsessive and inflexible, which can give rise to certain disorders).

Remember, however, that routines need to be flexible but predictable. You do not have to be obsessed with schedules. It does not matter if your schedule is pushed by half an hour or if you occasionally skip part of your regular routine.

Jove and other authors also highlight the importance of breastfeeding to help babies sleep through the night. This is due to the composition of breast milk, as well as relaxing contact with the mother and the calming effect of sucking.

Breastfeeding helps not only the baby but also the mother. Hormones released during breastfeeding help her fall asleep more easily, says Sleep Without Tears author, who is also an advocate for sleeping together.