Setting Up a Sleeping Pattern for Baby

A new born sleeps on an average about 16 hours in a day. You must follow your baby's clues in setting up a sleeping pattern for her. Setting up a sleeping pattern can help in establishing a bedtime routine for your little one.

It is not uncommon to find your baby sleeping and waking at odd times of the day. There are a couple of reasons for this erratic sleeping pattern. One reason for this is that her circadian rhythms have not yet fully developed. Also, she mixes up day and night quite often at this stage. It takes some months for her to get adjusted to the 24-hour day. Her sleep patterns will be erratic till this happens. You can also help her to get adjusted to this. Some ways to get her adjusted to the 24-hour day are:

• Reducing night simulation
• Baby massage
• Breast feeding
• Staying close to baby when she falls asleep
• Exposing her to natural light patterns

Another reason for odd sleeping patterns is a baby's sleep cycle is shorter than that of an adult. Your baby mostly has light sleep and and spends very less time in deep sleep.

Your baby's sleep patterns are characterised by two sleep states - active and silent. When she starts the sleep cycle, she enters the active sleep state. This is represented by fluttering eye lids, relatively rapid and irregular breathing, occasional body movements and vocalizations. This sleep is also called the REM sleep and the baby wakes up easily if she is in this stage. Half way through the cycle, she enters the silent state or quiet sleep. This is represented by no fluttering, slower and rhythmic breathing, and lesser movements. She is not easily disturbed by mild noises and disturbances. After quiet sleep, the sleep cycle is over. Your baby will either wake up or once again drift into active sleep.

As your baby grows older, quiet sleep is characterised by different NREM stages. The length of each sleep cycle increases and the duration of active or REM sleep becomes shorter.

Baby sleep patterns are also affected by various organic problems and environmental or behavioural factors.

What are some organic problems that affect my baby's sleeping patterns?

Your baby's sleep patterns are disrupted by various organic problems. Some of them are:

• Ear infections
• Thrush or yeast infections
• Parasitic infections due to pinworms
• Respiratory infections
• Acid reflux
• Allergy to cow's milk
• Fever

Can you please tell me some environmental or behavioural factors that contribute to my little one's sleeping patterns?

Some factors that contribute to changing sleeping patterns in your little one are:

• Snoring and sleep apnea
• Too many bedtime rituals
• Too much of soothing
• Parents expecting baby to sleep too much
• A lot of extra activity just before bedtime
• Insufficient and excessive lighting during the day and night respectively
• Arrival of a new member in the family