Every new parent knows that when their baby is not sleeping well, it affects their own sleep too. It is quite common for up to fifty percent of infants to experience night awakenings, and this pattern can continue for the first two years of their life. However, as babies grow older, these awakenings tend to decrease gradually. In the meantime, there are several strategies you can try to help your little one sleep more peacefully.
Developing a Consistent Bedtime Routine for Children
Scientific studies have suggested that establishing a regular bedtime routine can be highly beneficial for children, even as young as seven months old. In fact, one research study found that following a simple 30-minute, three-step routine had a significant positive impact on the sleep patterns of infants and toddlers between the ages of seven and 36 months.
The results of the study showed that implementing a consistent bedtime routine not only helped the children fall asleep more quickly but also reduced the frequency of nighttime awakenings and improved the overall quality of their sleep.
Bedtime Massage
According to a study, incorporating a 15-minute bedtime massage using lotion can result in a reduction in nighttime awakenings. In addition, parents stated that their infants, ranging from newborns to toddlers, experienced longer periods of sleep.
In another research, infants were subjected to a 30-minute massage therapy session starting at 10 to 14 days old. By the time they reached 12 weeks, these babies exhibited significant increases in the secretion of nocturnal melatonin. This hormonal change allowed them to regulate their circadian rhythms, or body clocks, at an earlier stage of development.