You already knew that motherhood would bring sleepless nights, but perhaps you didn't imagine that the sleep of a
1-year-old baby would still be such a challenge, right? The truth is, when it comes to sleep, children are a box of surprises. Even babies who slept like angels from an early age can experience sleep regression at 12 months. But take it easy, mom! We are here to help you! In this post, we have gathered a lot of information and tips for you and your baby to get through this phase peacefully. Check it out!
What is a 1-year-old baby's sleep like?
Just when you seemed to have established a routine with your baby and were starting to relax, it all started again. The colic had passed and night feedings had decreased, or even stopped, but bedtime became a difficult time of the day again. Well, although parents are not prepared, this is very common at this stage. A one-year-old baby may start crying a lot to sleep, take a long time to fall asleep, wake up several times at night, and want their mother's company. To better understand, let's clarify some important information about your child's sleep at this age.
Expectation vs. reality
To begin, it's important to align your expectations. Many mothers expect their babies to sleep through the night at this stage, but perhaps that won't be your reality. A
study by the University of Regina, in Canada, shows that 73% of children aged 6 months to 2 years wake up their parents in the middle of the night. So, you are not alone in this!
Hours of sleep per day
But, after all, how many hours of sleep should my 1-year-old child get? According to Richard Ferber's book “Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems”, at 12 months, a baby sleeps 11 to 13 hours in a 24-hour period.
Daytime naps
Of the total we mentioned above, about 2 hours correspond to daytime naps, which at this stage tend to decrease from 2 to just 1. This can make the baby more tired and
irritable at the end of the day. This reduction also occurs due to changes in routine and increased activities.
How to cultivate healthy sleep habits at this age?
But not all is lost! It is possible to create healthy sleep habits that will help alleviate this difficulty in sleeping and relieve the fatigue of mothers and fathers. Keep reading to find out what they are!
Create a bedtime ritual
This means doing everything the same every night, that is, creating a ritual for the moments before going to bed. It can be giving a warm bath, giving a massage, telling a story, in short, activities that calm the baby. The ideal is for this ritual to be adopted in the first months of life, however, if it wasn't, it's never too late to start. Children love predictability.
Prepare the environment for bedtime
In addition to following a ritual, it is also important to prepare the environment, especially when the family has other children. Darkening the room, playing calmer music, or even turning off electronics in other rooms are attitudes that can help.
Take care of the routine during the day
Review your child's daily life. At this age, there is a big developmental leap, many start walking, and the ability to stay awake also increases. The baby's
behavior changes and it can be difficult to identify sleep cues. The problem is that, when it's past time, the little one gets irritable and it becomes even harder for them to sleep. That's why it's so important to take care of what the child does during the day. Sleep problems or frequent awakenings can be a reflection of both excessive tiredness and lack of activities during the daytime.
Encourage your child to fall asleep on their own
The sooner a child learns to sleep alone, without depending on being held, fed, or their mother's company, the better it is for the sleep quality of the entire family. This is because when they wake up - which is normal during the night - they will be able to fall asleep again. Of course, you can start this process gradually, respecting your child's temperament, but little by little it's interesting to teach them to sleep. There are many sleep learning methods, some more gentle and some less, but each family can find what best suits their reality.
What can go wrong with the sleep routine?
So you followed all the tips, but suddenly everything went off track and your baby started waking up at night like a
newborn, or worse,
started bravely resisting sleep, taking hours to fall asleep. Relax, you're not doing anything wrong, there's an explanation for everything.
Crisis of ambivalence dependence/independence
The fourth and final developmental crisis of the baby coincides with the beginning of walking. At this age, your child is developing at lightning speed. They can get so excited with new things that it interferes with their sleep. In this case, they may want to practice new skills even during the night. At the same time, they still have their mother as a very strong reference for security, shelter, and protection. She is the guardian of sleep; when they close their eyes, they feel separated from her. Be patient, because, like all the others, this crisis also passes. In the end, you will also be delighted with the achievements it will bring to your little one. The truth is that it is common for a 1-year-old baby's sleep to regress. The important thing is to take care to reestablish the child's sleep pattern, ensuring the benefits of a good night's sleep. For this, it is important to have persistence and tranquility, as well as to remain firm in the
routine. Another golden tip is to count on the help of someone, other than the mother, during this phase of nocturnal awakenings. Did you like the article and want to check out other tips that can help in raising your child? Then, learn now
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