Naps (daytime Sleep)

Children need to have regular daytime naps.  When night sleep is disturbed some parents think that removing a nap time will increase night sleep. Unfortunately this is far from the case. 
If daytime naps are reduced the child becomes too tired to settle properly at night so night waking may become more frequent.

Daytime sleep opportunities should be offered in a safe room in natural daylight. Ensuring that the sun is not directly shining on the child is helpful but the room should not need to be darkened unless it is very bright. Normal background household noise is helpful because it is reassuring to the child. It reflects that there are people present and the child is not alone. Learning to be comfortable in their own space is a valuable lesson which instills confidence in being able to cope with some time alone.

Depending on the age and stage of the child, they will manage to be "happily awake" for a period of time. At the end of this time children demonstrate sleepy signals. This can be yawning, closing eyes, rubbing face with hands or on the carer if the child is being held. There is a small window of opportunity, from noting these expressions of tiredness, to achieving a  successful nap. If you can settle your child within 10/15 minutes of noting these signals the chances are the child will nap successfully.

Working on improving daytime naps is easier on parents who are more awake and more patient during the day, and has a knock on effect of improving the child's night sleep, which is easier for parents too.

By 3 years of age one single 1 hour nap is enough and by 4 years most children no longer require naps. As daytime naps reduce night sleep should be slightly longer and eventually even out at 10-11.5 hours.

If you need help to resolve your child's sleep issues, Contact Dream-Angus.com

Daytime napping

When a child is born most of the day is spent in sleep. During sleep the brain is growing and although asleep the child is seldom completely quiet. During the first three months it is not usually difficult to settle an infant. As long as the infant is fed and comfortable sleep will usually follow.

Children who do not settle quickly and easily at this stage often have reflux to some extent, or are victims of "colic". Reflux should be treated, as the issues this causes are often prolonged and difficult to resolve otherwise. Colic usually peaks at 3/4 months and is seldom an issue after that time, with the notable exception of children who have allergies to lactose.

Children need to have regular daytime naps. At first three scheduled naps during daytime until they are about 6/7 months when two naps making a total daytime sleep of 4 hours is the goal. When night sleep is disturbed some parents think that removing a nap time will increase night sleep. Unfortunately this is far from the case. If daytime naps are reduced the child is too tired to settle properly at night so night waking may become more frequent.

By the 6/7 month stage baby should be sleeping through the night for 10 hours and having two naps, the second of which should be completed by 3/3.30pm if the child is on a "wake at 7am bed at 7pm" schedule.

Working on improving daytime naps is easier on parents who are more awake and more patient during the day, and has a knock on effect of improving the child's night sleep, which is easier for parents too.

By 3 years of age one single 1 hour nap is enough and by 4 years most children no longer require naps. As daytime naps reduce night sleep should be slightly longer and eventually even out at 10-11.5 hours.

If you need help to resolve your child's sleep issues, Contact Dream-Angus.com

The Golden Rules

These are the "golden rules" which, if observed, will help ensure a good night's sleep.

1. Make sure your child's room is quiet and dark.
2. Keep environmental noise to a minimum, no loud TVs.
3. If your child still needs a nap, schedule that nap for early afternoon, before 3pm.
4. Wake your child at a regular time every morning. This will strengthen the circadian rhythm.
5. Avoid drinks of tea, cola and drinks containing caffeine before bedtime.
6. Quiet play in the hour before bed is better than stimulating, exciting play.
7. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. If the room is too warm sleep may be disturbed.
8. Use a short pre bed routine that your child will recognise and stick to it.
9. Make sure that your child does not go to bed hungry, but do not give children over 6 months feeds or drinks through the night.
10. Help your child to fall asleep without your presence. Use a favourite toy or blanket and put your child to bed while he/she is drowsy but still awake.

You may find you are already doing some of these things, or all of them. If your child is still having difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep contact Dream-Angus.com we can help you to help your child.

Fussy babies

In the first few months of life babies have erratic sleep patterns. They learn through experience that they should be more active in daytime and sleep longer through the night. Babies have to sort through the incredible amount of stimulation that they are exposed to on a daily basis. They go from the quiet dim light of mothers womb into a world of noise, light and changing textures and levels of motion. This can be quite hard to sort through and some become overstimulated making it difficult for them to settle and resulting in prolonged crying and difficulty settling.
Fussy babies are often fussy because they have not had sufficient sleep and are overwhelmed by the experiences of the day. Prolonged sleep disturbance only exacerbates these problems. This is why naps are important. A babies nap is the first opportunity for them to learn to self settle. While night sleep is important for both mother and baby daytime naps are little top ups which help baby come to terms with all the stimulation of the environment.
As they grow and age the naps become fewer and night sleep increases but, if your child is "fussy" do not remove the opportunity for naps and think that by doing so you will gain a better night sleep. Naps are just as important to a growing child.