In this article

• Important facts about a child’s nose
• Avoid the baby nap mistake

Sleep is very important for your baby because during the nap period he rests, regenerates and grows. However, getting babies to sleep – whether during the day or at night – can be quite a challenge for mothers. While some of these sleep problems are normal and go away with age, there are some mistakes that can add to your child’s bedtime problems.

Every baby is different when it comes to napping patterns. Children need the necessary amount of sleep for their development, and parents have some time for themselves or to complete daily tasks. However, there is no way to know exactly when and for how long a nap should be. The time of daytime nap depends largely on the child’s age and stage of development.

To ensure our children have a peaceful nap, we must understand their sleeping habits. We should also avoid making napping mistakes that may deprive children of sleep.

Important facts about a child’s nose

• Researchers have suggested that a child’s healthy mental and physical development occurs when he sleeps well during the day as well as at night.

• Babies who nap refreshed for longer, their attention spans longer and are less agitated and irritable.

• It helps if your child plays actively during the day and takes a long, restful sleep at night to wake up fresh and fun again the next morning.

Avoid the baby nap mistake

1. Ignoring the signs of insomnia in a baby

The rule of thumb for observing a baby’s snooze signal is a yawn. The two yawn and the child must go to bed. Other signs of drowsiness include lack of activity, drooping or drooping eyes, restlessness and rubbing of the eyes. If these signs are ignored, the child may become very tired or even extremely sleepy – conditions that can reinforce crankiness in youngsters. If your baby becomes cranky, consider a sponge bath before bed or some light lullabies to calm him down.

2. Calculate short periods of sleep time

A short nap does not benefit the child. In addition, he may wake up with a hoarse odorous mood. A full nap means at least 45 minutes of deep sleep, anything less than that is considered insufficient for the baby and should not count toward their daily sleep requirements.

3. Put the baby to bed with the bottle

Many parents believe that putting their baby to bed with a feeding bottle can help them calm down and sleep. However, experts warn that it is wrong to push a child! The baby may start relying on the bottle to sleep and it will be difficult to wean him. The child may also be at risk of choking, ear infections, or tooth loss. Bottle feeding is recommended at mealtimes only and not for nap times.

4. Awakening the child during the day to ensure sleep at night

Many children who sleep for long periods during the day sleep peacefully at night without any disturbance. Therefore, if the parents find that the child sleeps late during the day, there is no need to wake the child and this causes more problems for themselves and the child. It’s best to wake the baby when you think it’s feeding time or his nappy needs changing.

5. Not maintaining a consistent sleep schedule

It is normal for children to take the time to settle into a schedule. However, children’s nap times are usually set according to their own internal clock that takes cues from the usual routine set by the parents. Babies develop and refresh themselves during this nap. Therefore, as much as possible, it is essential to be consistent about the nap routine in order to develop it better. Try to minimize any disruptions/changes in your schedule, especially when traveling or when there are guests at home.

6. Leaving the child’s nose incomplete

If the baby wakes up in the middle of his sleep, it could be because he needs a nappy change, is hungry, or is restless. If he shows signs of sleepiness again after his needs are met, try sleeping by patting him, singing, cuddling, or swaddling in a light, airy blanket. It is important to understand that baby nap time is just as important as play time and should not be left incomplete.

Babies should not sleep during the day as well as at night. Try to establish a routine to keep them active as well as rest, and you may find that they sleep better. Happy nap!