- Repopny
There are a few reasons to explain why do babies fight sleep, including being overstimulated, needing to feed, or experiencing discomfort. It might just be that they haven’t yet developed a regular sleep schedule in some cases.
Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating for parents to get their little ones to sleep.
Contents
What Exactly Does “Fighting Sleep” Imply?
To begin with, the term “fighting sleep” is a misnomer: newborns do not fight sleep. After all, rest comes effortlessly when we’re ready for it, and our systems aren’t overburdened with stress. The same can be said about infants.
When babies appear to be “fighting” their natural desire to sleep, it’s nearly usually a clue that something else is going on in their lives. Whatever is happening is making them feel uneasy about falling asleep. It’s up to us to find out what’s causing the tears. It’s pretty standard if it takes a few tries to figure out what your kid is trying to tell you.
How Does “Fighting Sleep” Appear?
There is no single symptom of “fighting” sleep, just as no single miraculous sleep remedy works for every infant. It varies a lot from one infant to the next. A very agitated and irritable, or even inconsolable baby is typically recounted to me — and what I’ve experienced myself!
There may be a lot of wailing or screaming, arching their backs, stiffening up, pushing off of you, scratching, and so on. The baby may be on the verge of falling asleep, jerk awake and become agitated again.
You may also note that their schedule is moving — the last nap of the day is getting increasingly difficult to take or is being skipped entirely, the morning nap is being taken later, and so on. “Fighting sleep” won’t appear as dramatic in babies with a laid-back temperament, but you’ll notice them having a difficult time falling asleep suddenly.
What Causes Babies To Be Sleep Deprived?
Knowing why your child has trouble sleeping will help you address the problem and ensure that they receive some much-needed rest. So, what are the possible reasons for sleep deprivation?
Overtired
While your tiredness may cause you to fall asleep as soon as you stop moving, this isn’t necessarily the case with your child.
Babies have a period when they are primed to fall slumber. They may get overtired if the window is missed, resulting in irritation, fussing, and difficulty calming down.
Not Exhausted Enough
On the other hand, your kid may not be ready for sleep because they aren’t weary enough. This could be a one-off occurrence, such as today’s nap lasting longer than usual, or it could indicate that they’re growing and maturing, and their sleep requirements are changing.
Overstimulation
You’ve probably heard that staying away from devices for an hour before bed helps you fall asleep faster and sleep better. The same may be said for your child, but it extends beyond screens. Noisy toys, loud music, or intense play can overwhelm them, leaving them unable to relax and fall asleep.
Anxiety about being apart
Has your child been following you all day, always wanting to be carried and never more than a few steps away? They’re likely experiencing separation anxiety, which can manifest itself before bedtime.
Your infant may fight sleep because they don’t want you to leave. This can happen anywhere between 8 and 18 months.
The 24-Hour Clock
At roughly 6 weeks old, infants acquire their circadian rhythms, the 24-hour cycle that controls our bodies. Around 3 to 6 months, these circadian rhythms have matured enough to establish a genuine sleep routine. Again, because every infant is different, some may not develop a regular sleep schedule until later.
Hunger
In the first few years, your baby will treble their birth weight; most kids will triple their birth weight by their first birthday. All of that growth necessitates a lot of food.
Check to see if your baby is getting the right amount of feedings each day, based on their age, how much they’re eating at each feed, and whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed.
Illness
Your baby’s sleep may be affected if he or she is in pain due to an illness. Other signs of disease, such as ear infections or colds, should be kept in mind.
If you are curious about When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket? see our article.
What Can You Do If Your Child Refuses To Sleep?
The measures you take will rely in part on the reasons why the baby fights sleep, but no matter what your issues are, the following recommendations will help you create a happy sleep environment.
- Recognize your baby’s sleep signals. Keep an eye out for symptoms that your baby is weary, such as eye rubbing, yawning, avoiding eye contact, fussing, or losing interest in play, and put them to bed as soon as possible. Keep in mind that for small newborns, waking intervals might be as short as 30 to 45 minutes.
- Create and stick to a relaxing nighttime routine. Bathing, reading books, and cuddling in a favorite chair are all methods for lulling a youngster to sleep. Make a habit of doing the same things in the same order at the same time every night.
- Establish day-night habits: Play and interact with your baby during the day, exposing them to plenty of sunlight in the morning and afternoon, but being less active and more sedate before sleep.
- Avoid rough physical play, loud noises, and screens at least an hour before bedtime,
- Create a nap and sleep routine that fits your baby’s needs as well as your own. Consider their overall sleep requirements and make sure they get enough sleep both during the day and at night.
- Within a 24-hour period, make sure your kid is getting adequate feeds. Every 2 to 3 hours, newborns will normally eat on demand. The interval between feedings will increase as your baby develops.
- Ascertain that the baby’s environment is sleep-friendly. To create a relaxing ambiance, use blackout curtains, white noise, or other features.
- Try to be patient and calm when your infant is having trouble sleeping. They get their energy from your emotions, so keeping calm might help them relax as well.
The amount of sleep your kid need is determined by a variety of factors, including their age, personality, growth, and other considerations. There are, however, certain principles that can assist you in creating a good sleep pattern for your child.
FAQs
Do all babies have trouble sleeping?
What exactly does “fighting sleep” imply? To begin with, the term “fighting sleep” is a misnomer: newborns do not actually fight sleep. After all, when we’re ready for it, and our systems aren’t overburdened with stress, sleep comes effortlessly to us. The same can be said about infants.
When I put my baby down, why does he scream?
Babies enjoy being held, touched, and comforted that you are present, so settling in a cot on their own can be challenging. Your infant is letting you know that he or she is lacking your touch and attention (NHS, 2019). When babies are removed from their mothers, they cry from the moment they are born.
What’s the deal with my baby’s thrashing?
“Is she all right?” It can be alarming to see your child thrash and shift around in the middle of the night, but she’s usually just dreaming, rearranging, and wiggling around like an adult. Megan Faure, the author of Baby Sense, advises, “It’s better to try to ignore these movements.”
Conclusion
Getting your baby to sleep can be tricky, but following the tips here will be easier and less stressful. There are some things you can do to get your baby to sleep, while others will depend on why they are not sleeping.
But, regardless of the reason, getting a good night’s sleep for both you and your baby is essential. Repopny hopes you find this guide useful.
