Baby Care Magazine

Trying to sleep

Parents love to watch their little ones sleep peacefully on a well-fed stomach. Babies have a different sleeping pattern and initially it is difficult for the parents to adjust. Babies will never sleep through the entire night. They wake up at frequent intervals for various reasons. You may experience a bit of anxiety when your child does not sleep for a long time or wakes up much too frequently. But irregular sleeping is common in almost all children. In case you suspect that there may be some other reason for your child not sleeping well, it is advisable to consult your pediatrician. New-borns generally sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day. Children at 3 weeks sleep for around 18 hours a day, 6 week child will sleep for up to 16 hours a day. If your child is between 4 months to 1 year, he/she will sleep for 12 hours a day including naps of 1 to 2 hours. As the child grows, the number of hours spent sleeping declines. Although all babies do not follow the same schedule, some sleep for longer hours while others wake up in a short while. Sleeping also depends on the circumstances and the general surroundings. Your baby’s sleeping pattern changes according to age.

Many a time babies wake up because they are hungry. Make sure to feed your child well when you put him/her to sleep. Never put your child to sleep without feeding him/her satisfactorily. New-borns love to be rocked because they are used to that motion when they are still in the womb. Some babies sleep through the day for longer hours and keep waking up frequently in the night. In case you feel too stressed out due to the frequent attending required, make it a point to sleep when the baby sleeps. This way you will get that much needed rest, feeling rejuvenated when you have to attend to your child again. At times, babies wake up for a minute or so, cry weakly for a bit and then go back to sleep again without you even touching them. So when you hear your child crying, wait for a few minutes (however difficult it may be) and then gather your baby to comfort him/her.

Once your baby reaches the age of around 6 months, you can make him/her sleep with a toy so that getting to bed gets easier. Also put your baby to bed while she is still awake so that your child learns how to put herself to sleep. If you have a 1 year old, you will by now surely know that putting the child to sleep is no child’s play! 1 year olds are so active and enthusiastic about all their new found skills and being mischievous that you may end up dozing off while your child plays all around you. These children should be given a toy companion to sleep with and it is best if pacifiers are not encouraged at all.

Sleep is vital for your child’s proper growth hence it is important to understand the sleeping needs and habits of your baby. Do not panic unnecessarily but do not ignore any abnormal signs either. One of the indicators of lack of adequate sleep in children is becoming disagreeable, irritable or hyper-active. There may be some other extreme behavior patterns too. When your child wakes up in the night, hold her and put her to sleep so that she is reassured of your presence. Do not sing, play or talk to the child at night. She will get used to this and will demand the same whenever she gets up in the night next time.

Although it is difficult in the beginning for you to adjust to your child’s sleeping patterns, you will learn by experience, understanding your child’s sleeping habits better. Be patient and as always enjoy parenting!!!

Learning to crawl

The development of your baby is marked by several significant changes that herald the beginning of a healthy adult life. As parents it is good to be aware of these developmental landmarks. Below listed are the major ones you need to know.

Hearing

Babies are capable of hearing even before birth. Hearing becomes fully matured when they reach the end of 1 month. This does not hold true to babies who have hearing impairment. Your child will learn other developmental skills based on his/her capacity to hear. Babies recognize familiar voices and can also feel alarmed if there are sudden outbursts causing a lot of noise. At around 5 months they start noticing when their names are being called.

Head and neck control

The complete development required for head control will be attained at 6 months. They can lift their heads when they reach the end of 1 month. At around the tie between 3 to 4 months, there is marked improvement and steadiness in the way babies hold their heads.

Rolling

Rolling over on his/her back from front or vice versa develops fully by the time the baby reaches the age of 6 months. Kicking around, making swimming movements with his arms, tiny push-ups will further strengthen your baby’s skills for mobility.

Teething

This process starts at the age between 4 to 7 months. Some babies start sprouting their first teeth later than this. By the age of 3, most children have a set of 20 milk teeth.

Sitting

This is the first step in the process of standing up and subsequently walking. Once the neck and back muscles grow strong, the process of sitting independently begins. This occurs at around the time your baby reaches the age between 4 to 7 months.

Vision

Your baby’s vision will develop completely when he/she reaches the age between 6 to 8 months. The clarity in the eye-sight of a baby develops gradually, month on month. In the initial few months, the baby’s vision is limited to a certain distance (8 to 15 inches) and is unclear. At 2 months your baby will begin to notice colours. The colour of the eye also reaches its final version although there can be minor changes later. At 8 months your baby can recognize people and objects like an adult.

Crawling

Between the ages of 6 to 10 months your baby will start crawling using his/hers and knees. This is a sign that your baby will soon learn to walk. Some babies skip crawling altogether and directly learn to walk.

Walking

Between the ages of 9 to 12 months your baby will start walking. Some kids start later than that, at around 16 months. Babies start by standing up unsteadily, then moving from one place to the other using furniture or other support and then start walking. Although when they start walking, they will need your support, since they are not very steady, gradually learning how to walk all by themselves.

Talking

Your baby will utter certain simple words at 5 months, at 7 to 12 months babies learn to imitate the words you use. Between 13 to 18 months your baby will start communicating with you for conveying simple messages like hunger or the desire to be carried. At 24 months your baby will latch on to almost all the words you use and will also use some of them to communicate. This is the time when babies are most receptive to learning new words. By the age of 3 your baby will be talking all the way with variations in tone, pitch and vocal patterns. You will be amazed at how well he/she can communicate at this stage. Your baby will be capable of intelligent conversation at this stage understanding the questions you ask and answering appropriately.

Be sure to record all these amazing moments of your child’s growing years in his/her baby book along with pictures that will make you feel blessed at having such a precious gift. Happy parenting!!!