The sleep of the baby is probably one of the biggest points of conflict for new parents. Quickly, the nerves are bare when the baby refuses to sleep. If the baby does not sleep, the parents do not sleep and this quickly goes to the substance. But how can you deal with it better from the outset? Is it possible to prepare for this situation? Should you just let the baby scream, so you learn to calm himself down?
Why does a baby actually scream?
Screaming is the language of the baby. That’s how it communicates with you. It cannot be expressed in any other way. In order for it to feel safe and secure, it constantly needs love and attention. If you as new parents actively deal with the crying of the baby, you learn over time to interpret crying. Since the baby can not yet tell why he is crying, the parents must fulfill this role. You can learn if your baby is crying with hunger or pain. Soon you will have a feeling for whether it is just “complaining” and you can take a little time to check on it or if it needs you right now.
How quickly should I respond to the baby’s crying?
It is extremely important that you always react immediately to the crying after the baby is born. This is how your baby learns that he can trust you and becomes more patient over time. For your baby, everything is new in this world. It no longer lives safely in the womb. Suddenly, sounds and smells pounce on it. Strangers take it up. It can feel warmth, cold and hunger. All of this is new to your baby and can be quite overwhelming at times.
The Consequences of Screaming
Making a baby scream can cause big problems. It can happen that your baby develops sleep and anxiety disorders if you don’t react immediately to his crying. After all, it can’t yet assess that you’re still around. Of course, there are also babies who do not develop a disorder of this, but these are the exception. It is always better that you react quickly to your baby to avoid a sleep or anxiety disorder.
My baby has trouble falling asleep – what can I do?
If your baby already has trouble falling asleep, it doesn’t necessarily mean they already have a sleep disorder. Many babies have a hard time falling asleep. This is quite normal and no need to worry. The baby must first learn that he can fall asleep safely and securely and that you are still there when he wakes up again. It’s best to get your baby used to a few rituals right from the start. If possible, always put it to bed at the same time. It is best not to breastfeed it to sleep, but to put it awake in bed after breastfeeding. If a baby wakes up at night, he would like to wake up exactly as he fell asleep. If the chest is not there, it will scream all the more. Reading a sleep book aloud or playing sleep music are also rituals that are perfect for babies. Through the rituals, your baby gains in security and can go to sleep with confidence.
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Baby sleep
Most babies only learn to sleep through completely in the late course of the first year of life. It is quite normal for your baby to wake up up to eight times a night in the first year of life. For many families, an extra bed is worthwhile. So the baby is also around you at night and you don’t have to get up when he cries. This not only makes the baby sleep more restful, because he feels more secure. You too can sleep better and breastfeeding is made easier.
Don’t be afraid of pampering the baby
Many parents are afraid that they will spoil their baby if they react too much or too quickly to crying. The interesting thing, however, is that scientists have found that you can not pamper your baby in the first six months of life. Your baby needs your attention. Over time, it learns all by itself that you are sometimes busy. For example, in the crawling age, it sees that you can not take it on your lap when you are sitting on the toilet. But for your newborn baby, it is vital that you reliably come to him when he asks you to do so through his crying. First aid tips if the baby is crying:
- Go to him, show him that you are there.
- Talk to him, your voice calms it down. Or sing our sleep music to him and then just let it run.
- If it’s still screaming, then take it up and weigh it back and forth.
- Check to see if their basic needs are met. Is the diaper full? Is it hungry? Does it need a cuddle unit? Is he too warm or too cold?
- Find out what your baby is missing and what is good for him. This can be the sling, music or your voice.
- If you don’t know what to do, contact your midwife, pediatrician, or an ambulance. You must never shake your baby. If you are overwhelmed, always seek help.