Ah, the joys and puzzles of caring for a tiny human! Among the many dilemmas parents face, the question of whether to wake a peacefully sleeping baby often stirs curiosity.
Well I'm here to tell you that YES! You absolutely should wake your sleeping baby and here are 4 reasons why.
Time for a feed: This particular recommendation is targeted to younger babies. If it has been more that 4 hours since their last feed, then it's time to wake them up! This helps keep their day-night balance in check.
Naptime: Two hours into nap wonderland and your baby’s still in dreamland? It's time to think about capping that nap. Keeping daytime naps around the two-hour mark maintains a semblance of structure. Why? Because while we adore those midday snoozes, preserving a bit of wakefulness sets the stage for a smoother bedtime and night time sleep.
To stop day/night confusion: If you've noticed your little one is sleeping long stints during the day but is up partying at night, then there is a chance that their body clocked is a little jumbled up.
To maintain a reasonable bedtime: As much as we love spending every minute with our babies whilst they're awake, it's equally important to have some down time in the evening and time to spend with your partner too! I often encourage you to wake your babies during the day to keep their bedtime at a consistent and regular time. This will help regulate their body clocks and allow you to have that much needed adult time in the evening.
Remember, all babies are unique, so feel free to sprinkle your own magic and adapt these tips to suit your little one.
Claire De Simone is the founder of Hush Baby Sleep. She is a certified baby sleep consultant, a paediatric nurse with 12 years experience, a wife and a Mum of 2 precious little human beings.
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