Newborn Sleep: When Will He Sleep Through the Night?
Even though we are aware that a newborn does not sleep like an adult, reconciling our commitments and rhythms with the newborn's sleep is often a difficult task.
For this reason, many families wonder when he will sleep through the night . In this article, Marika Novaresio, a professional IBCL breastfeeding consultant and sleep consultant , will offer moms and dads an answer to this question.
False myths about newborn sleep during the night
How many parents are asked if their little one sleeps through the night?
I'll answer you: to so many!
But what does this question mean?
Are they asking if the baby sleeps 12 hours straight? Or if the newborn's sleep is uninterrupted for a certain number of hours? Or if he lets the parents sleep?
Although the question has no real meaning and is often asked as a matter of course, it can be less well experienced by parents who struggle with sleep every day.
Unfortunately, there is still little and poor information on the topic of baby sleep . Therefore, this question can often raise doubts in new fathers and mothers who are dealing with sleep difficulties .
How many mothers wonder if they are not stimulating their little one enough or think they made a mistake by keeping him close in bed during the first few days?
Know that there is no magic wand to make your newborn sleep through the night; therefore, you have not done anything wrong or irreparable.
Research on newborn sleep at night
The large-scale 2014 study by Hysing et al found that 70% of infants between 6 and 18 months woke up 1 to 3 times during the night.
This helps us understand how common night awakenings are. In addition, many children require parental support to get back to sleep.
As mentioned before, the topic of newborn sleep is still full of false myths. Instead, there is nothing more scientific!
This is why knowing its physiology and the best precautions can allow parents to improve their newborn's sleep.
Why doesn't my newborn sleep through the night?
To the question “ when does a newborn sleep through the night ?” I like to answer with the question “ when does an adult sleep through the night?”.
I'll answer you: never!
That's right, you read that right! Not even us adults sleep continuously and uninterrupted all night. In fact, we may turn over, move the pillow and do something else, but without remembering it the next morning.
No person can ever sleep through the night while alive.
The difference is that the newborn or child needs support to fall asleep again and this can be of 3 types:
- Transitional object : it could be a pacifier or a soft toy that calms him down and allows him to fall back asleep;
- Caregiver : seeks contact, voice or presence of the person who takes care of him;
- A middle ground between the two typologies.
Obviously, if the newborn requires contact with the parent, it will result in each awakening of the newborn and of the parent.