Baby sleep - what makes him so special ?

Babies and toddlers sleep a lot - because sleep is extremely important for early childhood development and health. Here you can find out what makes baby sleep so special and how you can help newborns find a stable sleep rhythm as quickly as possible.

Table of contents

1. Baby Sleep – The Special Features
2. How long do babies sleep?
3. The right sleeping environment for babies
4. 5 tips for a peaceful baby sleep
5. Not recommended...
6. Conclusion

1. Baby sleep – The special features

Good sleep is especially essential for babies, because during sleep the immune system is strengthened, the brain processes the impressions of the day and important hormones for growth and child development are released.

How much a baby sleeps varies greatly from child to child. In principle, babies' sleep differs in many ways from the sleep of older children and adolescents. Not only the Total sleep time is significantly longer at 16-18 hours, the distribution of sleep stages is also different. A baby spends about half of its sleep in the so-called REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, i.e. almost four times as much as in adolescence and adulthood. This is because REM sleep is a fundamental part of the development of the child's brain and the brain develops very dynamically, especially in the first few months of life.

In addition to the longer total sleep time Sleep in babies is also much more fragmented. This means that babies sleep in several periods that are spread over the day and night. The frequent waking phases are completely normal in the first few months of life and should not be a cause for concern for the parents involved.

2. How long do babies sleep?

While newborns sleep a lot in the first months of life, the need for sleep and the composition of the sleep phases with increasing age and maturity. Below we show you the special features in the individual months of life.

0 – 3 months

In the first three months of life, babies sleep a total of 16 - 18 hours per day. Sleep is fragmented and the baby sleeps throughout the day and night with regular waking phases. During this time, the baby's sleep rhythm is only just developing. The high proportion of REM sleep indicates the dynamic development of the brain in this early phase of life.

3 – 6 months

The babies develop a more stable day-night rhythm. There is an increase in nighttime sleep and a decrease in daytime sleep. Most children of this age fall asleep at about the same time in the evening and wake up at about the same time at night and in the morning. By about 6 months of age, a longer, continuous sleep period develops. Some babies still need one or more meals at night.

6 – 9 months

The sleep rhythm becomes increasingly stable and the sleep cycles become longer. Some babies actually sleep through the night at this age - for a full six to eight hours. However, this means that parents still have to be prepared for their child to wake up during the night. The proportion of REM sleep has already decreased significantly at this age and after 8 months is still around a third of the total sleep time.

1 year

The total sleep time after one year is now around 14 hours. The individual sleep phases and waking phases become longer and the majority of sleep takes place at night, supplemented by 2-3 short naps during the day.

1 – 2 years

The need for sleep continues to decrease and is around 12-13 hours after the second year. Toddlers get most of their sleep during the night. The midday nap becomes more pronounced and there is more often one rather than two sleep periods per day. At 18 months, almost all children only sleep once a day and some can even do without a midday nap altogether at 24 months. Here, too, there are big differences from child to child.

It should be remembered at every age that every baby and toddler is unique and that even within a family the Children's sleep behavior can develop differently. This is no reason to worry and usually everything settles down again after a while.

3. The right sleeping environment for babies

The right sleeping environment is important for a safe and healthy sleep of babies and there are a few things that should be considered when choosing sleeping position and bed environment.

Supine position – The recommended sleeping position

It is recommended that babies should be placed on their back to sleep in the first few months of life. The side position is not recommended because the baby could turn onto its stomach while sleeping. Positioning the baby on its stomach is generally strongly discouraged in the first 1 to 3 months of life. Sleep labs have shown that babies react less well to disturbances when they are lying on their stomachs than when they are lying on their backs. This is also the phase of life when the risk of sudden infant death is greatest. The baby should therefore only sleep on its stomach when it is strong enough to roll back onto its back by itself and can also lift and hold its head up independently.

The bed environment for babies

A baby's bed should be furnished in a rather spartan manner. It should be ensured that the head cannot be covered by a blanket or pillow. Here are a few tips.

• Use sleeping bags instead of duvets
• If a blanket is used, it should be tucked under the mattress at the foot of the bed and secured so that the child is only covered up to the chest
• The mattress in the baby bed should not be too soft
• Babies and toddlers under 3 years of age do not need a pillow
• The bed environment should be safe and there should be no cords or straps within the child's reach

temperature & air quality

• The room temperature should be around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius for babies and toddlers when sleeping
• A bodysuit/undershirt and pajamas are usually sufficient clothing. If it is too hot, you can even leave one item off
• Hats and head coverings should be avoided in bed.
• The baby bed should not be placed directly next to the heater or in direct sunlight. Hot water bottles, heating pads, “nests”, furs and thick blankets should also be avoided in the baby’s bed
• The bedroom should be well ventilated and care should be taken to ensure that no smoking takes place in the bedroom

4. 5 tips for a peaceful baby sleep

#1 A fixed daily routine

As with us adults, a fixed daily routine and a day/evening routine have a positive effect on sleep for babies and toddlers. That is why you should make sure that you always put your child to bed at the same time so that they can get used to a regular sleep can get used to fixed times.

#2 Get some rest early

One hour before bedtime, there should be no more playing or running around. Loud noises and lots of activity can disrupt the baby's preparation for sleep. A short trip in the stroller or car can help encourage sleep.

#3 Introduce rituals

Habits are especially important for babies and toddlers. They learn what to expect in the evening and can prepare for it. The best bedtime routine for little ones depends on the individual child. However, there are some popular rituals that have proven to be very effective:

• Bathe: A bath can have a very calming effect on many children. The warm water also has a positive effect on body temperature and can promote sleep. Gently drying the child and applying cream can also have a relaxing effect on the child and prepare them for a peaceful sleep.
• Put on pajamas: A cozy pajama set can give the child the signal that sleep is approaching and put him or her in the mood to fall asleep.
• Darken the room: Darkening the room is a very effective ritual to prepare babies and toddlers for sleep. A dark and quiet sleeping environment also promotes sleep.
• lullaby: Repetitive and already familiar to the baby melodies can have a calming effect and help you fall asleep. The melody of a music box can sometimes work wonders.

#4 Don't play at night

If a baby wakes up at night, the waking phase should not be used as playtime. There is a risk that the baby will get used to the activity at night. Speaking quietly and using calming gestures will show the child that it is actually bedtime.

#5 Soothing Melodies

Babies are familiar with many monotonous noises from the womb. Soothing sounds can help them fall asleep. The sound of the sea, the hum of an airplane or so-called white noise sounds Babies like to fall asleep.

In our SLEEP-SOUNDS There is definitely something for you and your little ones.

5. Not recommended...

In addition to the many classic bedtime rituals, there are also things that should be avoided early on. Babies are often carried around, in the stroller or on the breastuntil they have fallen asleep and then put into their bed while they are still asleep. However, if you get the baby used to it, it will soon ask for these sleep aids again and again.It is possible to adjust later, but it can be very stressful for parents and children.

Also recommended is the not to delay falling asleepBabies find it harder to fall asleep when they are overtired or overstimulated. It is therefore advisable to pay particular attention to signs of tiredness in babies. A common sign of lack of sleep is crying. Babies and toddlers who cry frequently and for long periods of time (so-called "cry babies") often also have a lack of sleep. They do not get enough sleep during the day, which makes them overtired and overstimulated and makes it difficult to relax.

6. Conclusion

• Sufficient sleep is essential for the development and well-being of babies.

• During the first 24 months of life, babies' sleeping habits and sleep needs change. This is completely normal and should not worry parents.

• The right sleeping environment promotes falling asleep and sleeping through the night.

• Routines and calming rituals can help you fall asleep.

Best regards and see you soon!