Babies, toddlers, toddlers, children, to teenagers need longer sleep time than adults. It is necessary to support their mental and physical development.
In the world of infants and children, sleep is as important an activity as eating, drinking, feeling safe, or playing. Your little one needs sleep so that his body is rested, refreshed and gets new energy. According to researchers in America, during sleep, our brain filters and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems.
Sleep Time Required
Babies or children need not only good and quality sleep, but also how long they sleep. The quantity or amount of time a baby or child sleeps also varies, depending on how old they are, namely:
- Baby (Newborn) 0-3 months of age are advised to sleep as much as 14-17 hours per day.
- Baby (Infant) ages 4-11 months are advised to sleep as much as 12-15 hours per day.
- Toddlers aged 1-2 years are advised to sleep as much as 11-14 hours per day.
- Toddlers 3-5 years are advised to sleep as much as 10-13 hours per day.
If the Baby or Child is Lack of Sleep
If the baby lacks sleep, the impact is not only crying. Studies in Israel show that sleep deprived 1-year-olds are expected to have shorter concentration spans, forgetfulness, and behavioral problems once they are 3 and 4 years old. Sleeping with a little time is also believed to affect the growth and immune system, thus making the little one susceptible to illness.
The results of a study in the field of child psychiatry in America of 9,000 preschool-aged children believe that getting less than 9 hours of sleep per night makes them more likely to exhibit impulsiveness, anger, and tantrums (emotional outbursts or frustration accompanied by fear or anxiety), than those who get enough sleep at night.
Adequate sleep also plays an important role in children's cognitive development, namely the ability to think and understand, process information, learn language, and so on. In school-age children, lack of sleep can make them less concentrated in learning, be naughty, get bad grades, depression, to hyperactivity.
Quality and Quantity Sleep
So that your little one can sleep soundly, soundly, and in accordance with the recommended time, Mother can practice several surefire ways as follows:
- Many doctors believe that 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. are the right times to start putting babies under 1 year of age to sleep.
- Bathing with warm water coupled with gentle caressing affection can make the baby calm, relaxed, and relaxed.
- Choose clothes made of natural fibers, such as cotton, to avoid irritating your little one's skin and making your little one wake up often.
- Put your little one to sleep in a room with dim lighting.
- Massage your little one for 15 minutes so that he falls asleep faster.
- When in the womb, the baby is wrapped in amniotic fluid. Swaddling provides the same sensation and helps him sleep better.
- Give breast milk before your little one wakes up from sleep. If your little one sleeps before you, don't forget to give him breast milk when you go to sleep. This method is believed to make your little one sleep longer.
- Lavender essential oil is known to relax and relax anyone who inhales it. However, for children under 6 months of age or have sensitive skin and nose, the soothing fragrance is enough to get from detergent when washing their bedding.
- Put your hands on your little one's stomach, arms, and head to calm him down when he wants to put him in bed.
- When babies are born, they can recognize people's voices. Talking in soothing tones such as telling stories or singing lullabies can help your little one to dreamland more quickly.
A good night's sleep is not only good for the development of the baby, but also for the well-being of parents. Babies or children who sleep soundly can also make parents feel happier, more peaceful, and sleep without anxiety.