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API of Philosophy |
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Engage in Nighttime Parenting:
"Is your
baby sleeping through the night yet?" is often the first question people
ask a new parent. The truth is that most babies do not sleep through the night,
yet it is a myth that is perpetuated from generation to generation. Babies
have needs at night just as they do during the day; from hunger, loneliness,
and fear, to feeling too cold or too hot. They need the reassurance of a
loving parent to feel secure during the night. Many babies do go through a
phase where they sleep for longer periods of time only to begin waking at
night during different developmental stages. They may wake occasionally
during nightmares, teething, illness, growth spurts, or during times of
transition in their lives. Babies are very sensitive to their parents'
stress, which can affect their sleep patterns. Parents can help
their children learn that bedtime or naptime is a peaceful time; a time of
quiet connection and snuggles. Even though young children may outgrow needing
to eat during the night, they might still require comfort and reassurance. Parents who are
frustrated with frequent waking or who are sleep deprived may be tempted to
try sleep training techniques that recommend letting a baby cry in an effort
to "teach" him to "self-soothe". New research suggests
that these techniques can have detrimental physiological effects on the baby
by increasing the stress hormone cortisol in the
brain, with potential long term effects to emotional regulation, sleep
patterns and behavior. An infant is not neurologically or developmentally
capable of calming or soothing himself to sleep in a way that is healthy. The
part of the brain that helps with self-soothing isn't well developed until
the child is two and a half to three years of age. Until that time, a child
depends on his parents to help him calm down and learn to regulate his
intense feelings. Sleep Arrangements API encourages
parents to respond to the children's needs at night just like they do during
the day Explore the
variety of different sleeping arrangements, and choose the approach that
allows you to best be responsive at night Remain flexible,
and understand that it is developmentally appropriate and normal for babies
and children to wake during the night Infant solitary
sleep is a relatively new practice that has evolved only in the last 100
years Research
demonstrates that sharing sleep, when practiced by informed parents, can be
safe and beneficial Babies who co-sleep
cry less, and there are benefits to stabilizing heart rates and breathing
patterns. Breastfeeding and attachment relationships are enhanced. Cultures where
parents routinely sleep with their children report some of the lowest SIDS
rates, and in some of these cultures SIDS is non-existent Families who choose to co-sleep should follow
API's Safe Co-sleeping Guidelines: Avoid smoking
around baby, day or night. Babies, who are around smoke, even if it isn't in
the bedroom, are at greater risk of SIDS Never co-sleep
when under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription or over
the counter medications that cause drowsiness Always place baby
to sleep on her back Baby should sleep
next to mother, rather than between mother and father Use a large bed
with a mattress that fits snugly against the rail or is flush up against a
wall. Choose a firm
mattress free of fluffy bedding and stuffed animals Use safety
measures such as side rails, bed extenders and safe placement of the family bed.
Fill in any crevice with a rolled-up baby blanket or towel Adjust baby's
clothing based on her sleeping arrangements. A baby sleeping alone in a crib
needs warmer pajamas than a child who co-sleeps and thus gets warmth from her
parents. Overheating can be dangerous to infants Never leave a
baby unattended in an adult bed Never place a
baby on a couch, bean bag chair or waterbed to sleep Do not allow
baby-sitters or older siblings to sleep with baby Nighttime Routines Regardless of
sleeping arrangements, nighttime routines often help everyone unwind from a
busy day and help establish healthier sleep habits Experiment to
find the routine that works best for the child and remember that any bedtime
routine may take 30 minutes or an hour or more Keep in mind that
sleep routines change as the child grows and matures. Keep your sense of
humor and remain flexible Help your child
learn to trust her body when she is tired by recognizing the signs of
tiredness, and not forcing her to sleep when she is not tired, or keeping her
awake when she is tired, just for the sake of a routine When the time
comes for a child to transition to her own bed, make sure that the transition
is gentle and that parents respond to any feelings of fear or upset
experienced by the child Young children
who have their own bed often go to sleep more willingly when parents lie down
with them in their bed until they are very drowsy or until they go to sleep.
Children outgrow this need when they are developmentally ready and will
happily go to sleep on their own Older children
may still enjoy a brief snuggle time with parents before bed Neither
parenthood nor co-sleeping needs to put a damper on intimacy; a little
creativity, including timing and location, can ensure that intimacy is not
unduly disrupted by a new baby |
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For further information about the group, please contact the Group Leaders, Sara and Kelly. |
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