5 Common Sleep Mistakes Parents Make With Their Children

November 15, 2018

The debilitating lack of sleep associated with a fussy newborn is the most challenging part of being a new parent. There are times when even the best-behaved babies seem to be lacking sleep. There’s no standard rule of thumb when it comes to getting a baby to sleep, but there are major sleep mistakes parents unwittingly make with their children. 

As soon as parents learn these common mistakes and avoid them, their child’s sleeping habits are likely to become normal and more manageable. The following are 5 common sleep mistakes parents make with their children: 

1. Using an uncomfortable mattress

The importance of a comfy mattress cannot be underestimated when it comes to improving the quality of sleep for your child. When your toddler has advanced from a cot to a bed, you need to get her the best quality mattress. If you’re looking for the best value for your money, then the reviews at bestmattressreviews.co.uk will guide you through choosing the best mattress.

2. Late Bedtime Routine

Routines involving late bedtimes make your child overtired and slightly hyperactive. Overtired babies find it difficult to drop off to sleep, and they often resort to staying awake. Also, they tend to get up earlier than normal.

You need to adjust your bedtime routine so that your child can go to bed early. Waiting until your baby yawns or rubs their eyes is not a good idea. Even an additional 20 minutes of sleep can make a huge difference. 

3. Applying Lots of Different Sleep Techniques 

Using many different sleep strategies can confuse a child leading to more than necessary crying at bedtime. Inconsistent sleep strategies make your child irritable due to lack of quality sleep. Parents who have no proper sleep plan in place will regularly apply second-guess tactics, which is a big mistake.

Create a proper sleep plan which covers where your baby will sleep during the day and at night. Your program should also cater to your baby’s sleep and feeding schedule. Keep in mind that overfeeding or underfeeding your child could result in trouble sleeping for long stretches.

4. Using Motion to Induce Sleep 

Using an infant swing is only necessary when calming or soothing your child. You must cease any motion as soon as your child is asleep. Sleeping in motion for babies doesn’t allow for deep sleep. It’s more like the kind of light sleep experience adults get on a train or a bus. 

5. Attending to a Child Immediately

It’s natural for new parents to feel terribly perturbed on hearing their baby wailing. When a baby cries, new parents find themselves instinctively reaching their arms to pick up and soothe the wailing baby. You must take note that this is a great sleep mistake you’re making as a parent. 

Understand that it’s normal for babies to cry in between their sleep cycle. The best thing you can do is leave the baby to settle herself. Otherwise, your child will cultivate a habit of expecting someone to attend to her once she starts crying. 

Wait for a few moments to figure out whether your child is just fussing or she’s hungry. On the same note, don’t respond too hurriedly when your baby cries after like half an hour of napping. She could be just partially awake. So allow her a few moments to fuss and go back to sleep.

6. Distraction or Stimulation at Bedtime

Avoid using gadgets that light up and make sounds when your baby is asleep at night. These gadgets often don’t soothe the child. Instead, devices like mobiles become distractions to their sleeping.

Keep the room dark at night and absorb the household sounds to prevent them from disrupting your child. Also, never use television to get your child to sleep. It creates a distraction that’s likely to keep your baby awake.

 

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