The idea of a tiny newborn baby sleeping alone in a bed sounds a bit strange. On the other hand, sleeping with adults also sounds very dangerous. So, where should the newborn baby sleep? Where is the best place for babies to sleep ?
First of all, newborn babies spend more than 3 out of 4 hours a day sleeping. Therefore, a dark or dimly lit room is needed. On the other hand, he or she will eventually realize that this is a sleeping area. In fact, this is what sleep experts want. In other words, they think that understanding bedtime will help the baby to fall asleep more easily. From this point of view, it seems best for the baby to sleep in its own room from day one. However, things get a little complicated if we consider that the mother has to feed him/her and be with him/her all the time…So, where should the newborn baby sleep?
Where should we put the newborn baby to sleep?
Considering the newborn’s need for mother, it may be advisable to sleep in a separate crib in the parents’ bedroom in the first period. The baby should not sleep in the same bed with mom and dad. This is very dangerous for the baby’s tiny body. However, he can sleep close to mom’s bed in a suitable crib. In the following period, maybe after the 2nd and 3rd month, he should definitely get used to sleeping in his own bed in his room. He should adopt his own room as his sleeping area .
Newborn Bed Selection
The tiny size of a newborn baby’s body, its not yet fully developed respiratory system and even its nervous system make a special bed necessary. The question of how the baby bed should be is one of the questions on the minds of new parents. Here are some of the things you should pay attention to about the newborn baby bed:
- Must be pillowless
- The sheet should not contain parts such as extra padding that can block the baby’s nose and mouth.
- Synthetic fabric should not be used. A completely cotton fabric that does not sweat should be used.
- No toys should be placed in the baby’s bed during the newborn period, even during the first three months.
- There is still time to start turning over in bed, but you should take precautions and use a mattress with barriers in case of turning over.
Also, the baby should not be breastfed directly in the crib. A breastfeedingpillow should be usedfor breastfeeding .
Sleep Problems in Babies
From the newborn period onwards, the biggest concern about the baby is sleep. Parents with complaints such as not sleeping / not sleeping on their own / not falling asleep / waking up immediately , seek solutions to their baby’s sleep problems. In fact ,teaching the baby about sleep from the newborn period , teaching the sleep area, sleep time and helping the baby develop the right sleep ritual can make the following periods more comfortable. For this reason, we recommend that you pay attention to the sleeping place and environment of the newborn baby.
Wrong Sleep Directions for Babies
Sometimes elders around us or more experienced mothers can give you advice on how to get your baby to sleep. It is important to listen to this advice, but sometimes, even if it is easier to put the baby to sleep with the advice given, there may be more difficulties in the future. Some of these are as follows:
- Rocking to sleep standing up
- Putting to sleep by feeding
- Putting the baby to sleep with a stroller
- Putting her to sleep by swinging her on a swing.
Developing sleep habits similar to the above is most harmful to the mother. Later on, these and similar sleeping habits can cause quite different difficulties. Therefore, insist on always putting the baby to sleep in the same way, by laying him/her down, stroking him/her, standing next to him/her and perhaps placing a sleep toy next to him/her.