When concerned about your baby’s sleeping habits, some may call you paranoid, overly worried, may advice you to relax and let the baby grow, and all those standard lines you’ve heard before. The truth is good sleep is vital for children. The effects of sleep deprivation are not laughable. As such, you should ensure that your child sleeps deeply every day. Why, you may ask? Check on the following points to find out.
1. Key to Growth
Firstly, your baby should sleep at least 50% of their time. According to research, the production of growth hormones happens as we sleep. As you can see, sleep boosts the rate of growth of your child.
Lack of quality sleep affects the expected growth of a child. Apart from growth in height, the development of the lungs and heart is also affected.
2. Effects on Weight
Did you know that a tired baby burns fewer calories because they are inactive? More also, an exhausted baby craves for more calorie-laden food. Therefore, to control your child’s weight, you should ensure that they sleep well.
Moreover, lack of quality sleep results in overeating. Whenever a child is deprived of sleep, the hunger-hormone levels reduce. In turn, the brain sends hunger signals to the body. As a result, the child ends up eating unnecessarily.
3. Stronger Immune System
Thirdly, adequate sleep helps your baby to live healthier. The cytokines proteins are essential when the body is fighting infection. During sleep, the body produces these good proteins. See why you feel drowsy whenever you’re having a cold?
4. Lesser Injuries
As children play, the chances of falling and injuring themselves are relatively high. Normal development calls for the screaming and running around and toys and all the laughter and tears associated. However, as they take a nap in between their daily activities, the chances of injuries are reduced. See, another importance of quality sleep to your baby?
Tips to help your baby sleep
Sometimes, you might find it challenging to make a child sleep. They could be playing, watching the television, or just other distractions coming up at night. Therefore, to help your baby sleep, the following can come in handy:
- Bed-time stories: Children enjoy bed-time stories. Have them in plenty to lull them to sleep. You can source incredible bed-time stories online. Also, you can make hard copy purchases.
- Sleep Routine-It would be best if you establish a specific routine for your child. Help them take a nap during specific hours. Read more here about establishing routines.
- Sleep Challenges: As a parent, you should be on the lookout for any child’s sleep issues. However, it’s important to note that sleep patterns change as a child grows.
Parenting is exciting. However, it can be exhausting and challenging too. One of the challenges is ensuring your little one is healthy. As you can see, quality sleep in children is one of the proven ways to happier, healthier children!
As they deeply sleep into dreamland, you will also find some minutes to relax and unwind! Therefore, sleep-train the little one. Start from as early as two months to a healthier and happier you and baby.
