How to teach a child to fall asleep by himself. At what age do children fall asleep themselves?

With the advent of the first-born, new parents have not only a huge number of pleasant concerns, but also many questions. Particularly concerned about the problem of childhood sleep. After all, all the hopes that babies fall asleep on their own and sleep for hours, crumble already in the first week of communication with the newborn. One has to rock the child for hours, and the other - lie next to him throughout the night. But the question of child sleep can be solved without any problems. You just need to get a little patience!

Sleep is an important element of harmonious development

Quality sleep plays a big role in the life of any person. Adults spend a third of their lives in the kingdom of Morpheus. A proper sleep is also very important for a baby who is awake only 6-7 hours a day. If a small child does not want to fall asleep during the day, then something is bothering him. A healthy baby of preschool age must have a day's rest.

Sleep is an indispensable component in the mental and physical development of a small person. It is during rest that growth hormone is produced. The phase of deep sleep is especially important. At this time, new cells appear in the body, and the brain rests. Therefore, if the child does not fall asleep in the daytime, then he should definitely help. You need to tell a story or sing a song to a baby.

Hyperactivity in children can often be a consequence of a lack of sleep at night. Lack of sleep leads to the fact that the baby can not control his emotions. As a result, there is excessive tearfulness and capriciousness. Many parents try to correct the situation with the help of medications. But the only thing that needs to be done is to establish the correct sleep of the child.

Features of sleep in infants

In children, as in adults, sleep is divided into phases. Many people think that they sleep continuously from evening till morning, but in fact they have to wake up several times a night. The only difference is that adults can easily fall asleep on their own and often do not even remember their nightly awakenings. But the child does not fall asleep independently until a certain age. If he is already awake, he may need the help of his mother or father.

The sleep of children over one year old becomes more like an adult. Many children can already sleep without the help of their parents all night. Some even - in a separate room. But often it happens that the child does not want to fall asleep without parents. Despite this, after a year the baby can already be accustomed to an independent sleeping place.

Nutrition and sleep in the infant

Newborn babies on breastfeeding eat almost constantly. The maternal breast for them is not only a source of nutrition. The baby sucks quickly and falls asleep with the help of sucking. This is not a problem for mothers who follow the pattern of natural parenting. They offer the baby a breast at the first request.

It has long been proven that breast milk does not load a children's stomach. A child can even eat while sleeping. But parents, children who are on artificial feeding, to the question of the organization of sleep and nutrition should be treated with special attention.

Children, whose weight already exceeds 6 kg, can easily sleep all night without feeding. Parents should from an early age accustom the child to the fact that in the evening the process of digestion ceases. An exception, of course, is breastfeeding. Give the baby a mixture preferably no later than one hour before a night's sleep. If this rule is not observed, do not be surprised that the child does not fall asleep after feeding.

If the baby still wakes up at night, you can offer him a drink of water. Only a few days - and about the night's insomnia can be forgotten.

Benefit and harm of sharing sleep

Psychologists of the world do not get tired of saying that a joint dream with a child plays a huge role in its psycho-emotional development. The kid always feels safe, so he sleeps quietly. In addition, joint sleep allows you to adjust lactation from the very first day. Despite this, many parents, even before the birth, are wondering how to teach a child to fall asleep himself. At the same time, some immediately prefer to place the baby in a separate room.

Up to three months each baby needs close contact with the mother. It is vital for him to feel her smell, to feel the warmth of her body. Therefore, a joint sleep at this age is especially important. If the child falls asleep with hysterics, it is necessary to put it in your bed!

Mothers, who sleep next to the baby all night, manage to sleep well. There is no need to get up for feeding. A kid can independently find the breast of a mother lying next to her. In this case, you can monitor the temperature of the baby's body, as well as respond to any of his needs. Joint sleep also contributes to the rapid physical development of the child.

Sometimes you still have to think about how to teach a child to fall asleep on his own. Too sensitive mothers may be afraid to harm their child. In this case, the dream can not be called qualitative. Not the best option is a joint dream with both parents, if the father does not deny himself the use of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol significantly reduces sensitivity, which means there is a chance of strangling the baby in a dream.

The child falls asleep with a breast

Many children from an early age get used to falling asleep during feeding. Mom does not worry this moment until a certain time. Sucking is one of the most important reflexes of a newborn. Therefore, even if the child is not hungry, he quickly falls asleep, just a few minutes, sucking his chest. This is a very convenient and quick way to put the baby to sleep.

Sometimes it is necessary to wean the child to sleep with the breast. It happens that the baby does not let go of the mother's breast during the whole sleep. Her mother does not sleep at all. In this case, the breast can be offered only when the baby is really hungry. But put the baby to sleep will help a simple dummy.

Today there are practically no pediatricians who would not talk about her harm. The substitute for the mother's breast, of course, does not benefit the baby. But it is not harmful, if you use it wisely. It is worth offering a baby dummy just before bedtime. Give a pacifier to a child older than a year is not desirable.

Benefit and harm of motion sicknesses

From ancient times, an effective way to calm the baby was considered to be motion sickness. Did it manually or with the help of special children's cradles. Our grandmothers and mothers babbled. Modern parents also use this method. But there are those who consider sickness to be harmful. They are partly right.

Many parents who are used to rocking, the child falls asleep only on his hands. Put it in the crib, even after falling asleep it can be quite difficult. Any, at first glance insignificant, stimulus can wake the baby. The process of motion sickness must be repeated again.

Children under one year have a weak vestibular apparatus. Rapid motion sickness can lead to a slowing of the baby's brain. What parents take for a dream can be a loss of consciousness. In this case, to teach a child to fall asleep without motion sickness is very important for his physical health.

Despite this, thanks to gentle swaying, the newborn feels the affection of his parents. And the old people argue that people who are rocked as children, grow up smart and calm.

How to teach a child to fall asleep without motion sickness?

Those who have taught their child to fall asleep while rocking, will have to be patient. After all, getting used to an independent falling asleep baby will not succeed the first time. The process should be gradual. In the warm season, daytime sleep can be combined with a walk on the street. Fresh air promotes quick and easy falling asleep. Kids sleep in a wheelchair for a long time and hard.

If the child falls asleep only on his hands even on the street, the sling will come to the rescue. With this adaptation, the mother will not only be calm for her baby, but will have time to do many things. Sling makes parents more mobile, and children - quiet.

How to teach a child to fall asleep on his own, if it's bad weather outside? Before going to bed, the baby should spend his energy as much as possible. You should actively spend time with the baby. You can do gymnastics with him or play development games. Send the child to sleep only when he is really tired. In this case, the probability of independent falling asleep increases several times.

You should be prepared for the fact that motion sickness will be replaced by another ritual. You can tell a child before going to bed a story or sing a song. In this way, the kid will disaccustom from the parents' hands and begin to sleep much more.

When to transfer the child to a separate room?

When children themselves fall asleep in their room, parents have much more freedom. Spouses can pay attention to each other or solve important issues. But to relocate the baby from the first day to his own room is not for everyone. Yes, and there is no need. After close contact of mother and child in the first years of life is especially important.

Many parents are wondering about when and how to teach a child to fall asleep independently and in a separate room. There is no universal council on this matter. Each child individually responds to events that occur around him. Some children are ready for independent existence in a separate space from the first days of life. But there are also those who are afraid to remain alone with themselves, even at school age.

Parents should work out their own tactics of moving the baby into a separate space. The first time you have to stay with the child until he falls asleep. The time of staying with your son or daughter will have to be reduced daily. Do not worry if the process is too slow. And certainly you can not shout at a child who is afraid to be alone with himself.

Moving to a separate room is stress for the baby. Parents should do their best so that they can quickly overcome their own fears.

Insomnia in the child

Moms and dads, who are wondering how to teach a child to fall asleep, can face the problem of childhood insomnia. A kid who is afraid to remain alone, on a subconscious level, prepares himself for a prolonged wakefulness. It is at this time that you can react as quickly as possible to the danger. The habit can also lead to the refusal of sleep. The baby has already formed a certain vision of life. Sit down - it's time to sleep, give a breast - it's time to eat. Break such habits is difficult.

The causes of insomnia can also be found in other stimuli. The baby will never fall asleep if he is hungry, wants to drink or is in pain. At the same time he will not only be awake, but also will behave restlessly. In this case, the process of resettlement of the child in a separate room will have to be postponed. Any changes in the life of the baby should occur when he is completely healthy and full.

Children's sleep is also affected by the atmosphere in the room. In the evening, it is necessary to ventilate the room. The optimum temperature is 18-20 degrees Celsius. If the room is too hot, the child can not fall asleep. Cold also does not promote a strong and prolonged sleep.

Failure in sleep and wakefulness mode

Parents who do not know how to teach a child to fall asleep on their own often have to deal with the problem of disturbing the regime of children's sleep and wakefulness. Babies sleep for a long time during the day, but wake up at night and "walk" for a long time. The problem is solved quite simply. In the daytime, as long as possible, do not let the baby sleep. This, of course, is not easy. I'll have to invent various fun and distract the kid in the most interesting ways. But only a few days - and the regime will be restored.

Help to establish the right order and help to quickly fall asleep some rituals. It is necessary to perform the same actions every day before going to bed. This can be water procedures, then feeding. Immediately before going to bed playing with the baby in active games is not desirable. But read a book with bright pictures you can.

Nutritional regimen also matters in the matter of sleep adjustment. The penultimate feeding before night rest should be not enough nourishing. Then just before bedtime, the child will eat well and sleep for a long time. In this case, feed the child later than an hour before going to sleep, not worth it. Food should be assimilated and not interfere with the complete rest of the whole organism.

A child who has already switched to a one-time daytime sleep should fall asleep no later than noon. In this case, even before evening, he will have time to gain new impressions and will be able to fall asleep quickly and independently in the evening.

Teaching a baby to sleep is not so simple. Hurry in this matter is not necessary. The time will come - and the child will wish everyone a good night and go straight to their bed without any problems. In the meantime, you should enjoy a close contact with a small and such a dear little man.