What does a child need for healthy sleep. Nutrition to improve sleep in children

03.03.2020 -

What could be more important for moms than? For this, they are ready for everything and even more. Pediatricians came to the conclusion that a caring mother should put the child to sleep not in a separate bed, but next to her. Babies are supposed to sleep with their mother until they are 3 years old, otherwise unexpected problems may arise.

Why is it so, why is a child’s sleep in a separate bed harmful and how to make everyone feel comfortable - editorial "So simple!" already knows the answers to these questions.

Healthy baby sleep

Dr Niels Bergman of the University of Cape Town says newborns should sleep on their mother's chest for the first few weeks. And then - next to their mother until they are three or four years old. He came to this conclusion after discovering that babies in separate beds sleep less and more restlessly than those who sleep on their mother's chest.

When a baby sleeps in a separate bed, his heart rate increases and little heart suffers greatly from it. In addition to causing health problems for the child, it can also cause bad behavior in the future and even provoke difficulties in adolescence.

Opinions are divided on this matter. For example, British scientists recently published an article stating that children who sleep with their mother are at risk. They examined cases sudden death babies and found that 2/3 of them occurred while the baby was sleeping in the mother's bed.

Bergman has his own point of view on this matter: “When babies die in bed, it's not necessarily the mother's fault. Choking can come from other things: toxic fumes, cigarettes, alcohol, large pillows, and dangerous toys." And in this one cannot but agree with him, because sudden infantile death also happens in children who sleep in a separate cradle.

The study showed that only 6 out of 16 children slept peacefully in their cradles. Babies who sleep in their own cribs are less likely to move out of phase active sleep in the calm phase. And this is very important for brain development. Research confirms that such sleep disorders in children can lead to problems in adolescence.

In turn, Dr. Komarovsky believes that this cannot be the rule for all parents. He claims: “Each family determines the sleep system itself, and this system should be convenient for a particular family.” He doesn't advocate this claim, but he doesn't say it's a bad thing either.

©DepositPhotos

“First of all, I am for treating all this calmly - without anguish. Is it bad for a baby to sleep with mom? Not harmful. If all conditions are met, Komarovsky says. In his opinion, for the safe and comfortable sleep of the child in the bed of the parents, it is necessary that the bed necessary requirements: flat hard mattress, no pillows, good bedding.

He focuses on the fact that the main thing in all this is the consent of the parents with this alignment of things. And not just one, but both parents. “If you and your “companions” feel good, then it should be so. If it’s bad, either change your partner, or move the child to your own bed, ” says the doctor.

The night comes on a silent path,
To overcome anxiety and fatigue,
To forget all the bad
But the good remains.

L. Derbenev

Sleep is a temporary “disconnection” of a person from the outside world.
The question of the appointment of sleep has not been fully resolved to date. However, most scientists agree on two essential functions of sleep.
The first is the anabolic function of sleep (accumulation), which brings a feeling of physical rest, allowing you to accumulate energy potential and restore the ability to perceive new information.
The second is the function of mental protection, closely related to the unconscious processes that are actively functioning in a dream.

The lack of sleep is expressed in the fact that people show less and less desire to communicate, do not crave the entertainment that pleased them before, they are not as concerned about the quality of food as before. Significantly increase irritability and rudeness in dealing with others.

Losing four hours of sleep in one night slows a person's reaction time by 45%. A loss equal to a full night's sleep can double the time it takes a person to find the right answer. It is known that if a person is deprived of sleep for several days, then he develops mental disorders.

Prolonged sleep deprivation adversely affects health.

A newborn baby spends most of the time sleeping. What tasks does sleep solve for an infant who has just begun to interact with the outside world, without having time to show activity that is tangible and understandable for an adult in mastering the surrounding space?

It is even difficult to imagine what a huge work a baby does, "thrown out" from the stable and calm atmosphere of the mother's womb into a complexly organized outside world. The level of mental stress of a newborn baby can be compared, and even then not fully, only with the state of total mobilization aimed at the struggle for survival in extreme situation, life threatening for an adult. Is it necessary to justify the intensity of work on adaptation and processing of the huge amount of information that the baby makes every minute of wakefulness? That is why the importance of sleep for a child is difficult to overestimate.

Sleep is necessary for the baby, first of all, in order to gradually streamline knowledge and ideas about the world. This complex process involves the functions of attention, memory, systematization, and many others, in the implementation of which sleep takes the most direct and immediate part. Sleep disorders in children significantly reduce the productivity of these functions.

The development of a new, unexpected for a child is inevitably associated with stress, which, with a lack of sleep, can lead to serious disorders emotional state, child behavior.

Unlike an adult, a child's body is actively growing and developing. It is known that the growth process depends on the interaction of several hormones. Chief among them is produced in the pituitary gland. During the day, growth hormone is hidden, but at night, while children are sleeping, it is contained in the blood the largest number hormone. Scientists have found that growth hormone (somatotropic hormone) is secreted in the most significant quantities(80%) in the first two hours of sleep. Lack of sleep in childhood can lead to growth retardation and slowing down of physical development.

Restless night sleep affects not only the health of the child, but also the quality of life of his parents. According to studies conducted in Europe, an incredible number of families suffer from inadequate night's sleep - about 44%. In families with infants, the average duration of uninterrupted sleep for an adult is only 5.45 hours, and then by about 4 months, when the interval between feedings increases. It has been proven that lack of sleep not only negatively affects the health of parents, but also often affects the relationship between them. According to statistics, one out of 4 couples, with the advent of a child, troubles begin in family life.

Good sleep is an indicator of the health of children, their mental well-being, while its violation is a cause for serious concern and the intervention of specialists.

Sleep duration

1-2 months — 19 hours a day
3-4 months — 17 hours a day
5-6 months — 16 hours a day
7-9 months — 15 hours a day
10-12 months — 14 hours a day
1-1.5 years - 13 hours a day
1.5-2.5 years - 12 hours a day
2.5-3.5 years - 11 hours a day
3.5-5 years - 10 hours a day

Most common causes childhood insomnia

1. Overeating or undereating.
2. Overexcitation active games or bedtime stories.
3. Thirst for attention in children whose mothers work.

If you fix at least one of the existing problems, your child's sleep will improve.

Remember, the child will not be able to find and overcome problems on his own. Help him with this so that he can always please you with his smile. After all, sleep is an important link in proper development child's body!

Problem baby sleep one of the most talked about among playground moms. "He doesn't sleep at all!" complains the exhausted mother. In fact, her baby sleeps, like all babies, 16-17, or even 20 hours a day. But he does this so "illogically" from the point of view of an adult, so intermittently and restlessly that the impression is the opposite - the child does not sleep! It's obvious that main question not in how much the child sleeps, but in how and when he does it.

Bed wisdom

A children's mattress should be even, elastic, exactly match the size of the crib and fit snugly against its walls so that the head, arm or leg of the baby does not accidentally end up in this opening. If the crib model allows you to install the mattress at different heights, first fix it at the highest mark - this will make it easier for you to get the crumbs out of the crib. And as soon as he learns to kneel, lower the mattress down. There are no pillows for babies, but you can put a four-fold diaper under your head: it will absorb moisture if the baby sweats or burps.

In the cold season, try replacing the blanket with a sleeping bag. He will not allow the baby to unintentionally open up. In addition, the child will not feel "lost" while lying in a large bed. To put the little one in the “sleeping bag”, open it, place the child inside and only then put on the sleeves and fasten the “zipper”.

The right atmosphere

Place the crib away from windows and radiators. The window is a source of light that can wake up the baby ahead of time, drafts are dangerous for colds. And next to the batteries, the baby can overheat, because a temperature of 18-21 ° C is considered comfortable for sleep. Therefore, do not forget to ventilate the room before going to bed.

In order for the baby to quickly realize the difference between the time of day, it is better to put it at night in the dark, and during the day in semi-darkness. To create it during the day, not only blackout curtains are useful, but also bumpers or bumpers in the crib. They should not be too thick so that air can pass through them. Attach them securely to the crib rails and check frequently to see if the ties are holding well. Soft toys are best removed from the crib for safety reasons.

Be observant

In addition to the biological predisposition of the baby to healthy sleep, there are objective realities Everyday life. In order for the child to sleep better at night, you need to adhere to certain principles of behavior. Learn to recognize the signs of drowsiness and put your baby to bed as soon as you notice them.

Only calmness!

Do not disturb the little one before going to bed with either fervent games, or the appearance of guests, or a noisy discussion of the past day. A good end to the evening will be a walk on fresh air, followed by a bath, evening feeding and a cute ritual that marks the end of the day. Try to follow the rule of "one hand": let the child be under the supervision of one of the adults 1.5-2 hours before bedtime (the mission can be carried out in turn). Mom and dad shouldn't be taking care of the baby at the same time.

Sleeping pills?

Many nursing mothers fall into the trap: "In order for the baby to calm down and fall asleep, he must be offered a breast." And because of this, the child, waking up in the middle of the night, out of habit will require the breast in order to fall asleep again. Newborns can wake up several times a night, but at the same time they know how to fall asleep on their own, whimpering a little. Therefore, do not tie feeding to falling asleep. Breastfeed some time before bedtime, while moving away from the crib. After feeding, change your baby's clothes and ask one of the family members to hold him in your arms, of course, provided that such an opportunity exists.

All in your hands

When laying the baby in the crib, support him by the head, back and buttocks. A newborn can be arranged to sleep only on his back, an older baby - on his back or on his side, if there are no other instructions from the doctor. Alternate the left and right sides so that the skull of the little one takes on a rounded shape.

Pediatrician, Candidate of Medical Sciences Natalya Vitalievna Chernysheva

Your baby needs a daytime nap. Experts recommend maintaining healthy sleep for the baby and daytime rest up to 6-7 years, as this improves concentration, has a beneficial effect on health (increases the immune properties of the body). However, all children are different. Some of those who refuse to fall asleep during the day “fill up” theirs at night. But this is not a way out of the situation. Be patient, try to find the reason for the refusal of sleep. If you can't do it yourself, see your pediatrician. Perhaps he will recommend bathing the child in sedative preparations.
You can also transfer water procedures to the earlier daytime. During swimming and massage, the baby loses a lot of strength, gets tired and, as a result, falls asleep pretty quickly. But it happens that you can’t put the child to bed. And all because the energy received during useful procedures must find a way out.

If you are crumbs during sleep trying to eliminate all noise is wrong. There must be a measure in everything. The baby, accustomed from birth to sleep in complete silence, wakes up from any noise. Of course, while the child falls asleep, you need to turn down the volume of the TV, radio or tape recorder. But the natural sound background (creaking of the floor, doors, soft speech) should be present during the crumbs' sleep, especially during the day. And so that the baby sleeps better, put him to bed with his favorite soft toy - a fluffy bear or a hare, to which you can snuggle up in a dream. The main thing is that this toy is made of safe material and does not contain small parts. This is the best "substitute" for mom during sleep. Waking up, the baby hugs his beloved bunny and makes sure that he is not alone in his bed.

Due to prolonged contact with a pacifier, the baby is formed malocclusion, and an unpleasant rash around the mouth may also appear. And most importantly, as soon as the dummy falls out of your mouth in a dream, your treasure immediately wakes up and cries. You have to get up, give the baby a pacifier and rock it again. It is necessary to gradually wean the little one from falling asleep with a pacifier. You can make the first attempt at 6-8 months - at this age, the need for sucking is somewhat weakened in children.
Try shifting your afternoon nap to a later time so your child is really tired during the day. And diversify daytime wakefulness with more intense games, activities, spend more time on the street: this contributes to the preservation healthy sleep for the baby.
In the evening, try to follow the rituals of going to bed: quiet games, bathing, a fairy tale or a lullaby for the night. You may even have to lie down with the baby. It is possible that you will need the advice of a neurologist, who will most likely recommend massage and swimming. It can be invaluable to consult a homeopath who will suggest the right remedies.

Analyze how do you put the baby to sleep, what is the microclimate in the room. Perhaps the air in the bedroom is too dry, so the baby's mucous membranes dry out and it is difficult for him to breathe. It is better to dress the little one in a bodysuit or "little men": they do not cause discomfort to the little one, since they do not twist or crumple on the back.
And, of course, one of the most important points is the choice of a diaper. More than half (55%) of European mothers interviewed in a recent study agreed that keeping a healthy sleep for a baby is simple - wearing comfortable diapers.

All mothers have faced situations when a child cannot fall asleep for a long time either during the day or in the evening, or sleeps very restlessly, constantly waking up.

Healthy sleep is very important for the development of the baby, therefore, every mother wants her child to sleep well and rest for as many hours as he needs.

How do you make sure your baby is healthy and deep sleep? What does it take for a child to sleep well? Let's find out what are the 10 rules for healthy sleep crumbs.

Rule #1 - correct mode days

By the age of one year, it is desirable to accustom the baby to a certain daily routine. Rise, sleep, walk, meals, wakefulness, bathing, night sleep should occur every day at about the same time, then the baby will be mentally and physically ready for daytime and nighttime sleep, he will sleep soundly and calmly.

A baby from one to three years old should sleep 12-13 hours a day , it turns out that it should last about 8-10 hours, and daytime sleep - 2-3 hours. Some children at this age sleep 2 times a day - 1-1.5 hours.

It is important that the child's day regimen is coordinated with the regimen of the whole family, so that not only the baby, but also adults live well and calmly.

Rule number 2 - convenient sleeping place

When the child is two years old, you can buy him a special baby pillow, until that time it is more useful for the baby to sleep without a pillow.

The child must have own bed in which he was accustomed to sleep from birth. It is necessary that it be strong and safe, it must contain a hard mattress, clean.

You should not hang anything superfluous on the sides of the crib (towels, bedspreads), as they can accidentally fall on the child and scare him. If you want to somehow ennoble a child's bed, it is better to purchase a special baby crib protection , which is securely attached to the sides and definitely will not fall on the baby.

When the child is two years old, you can buy him a special one, until that time it is more useful for the baby to sleep without a pillow.

Pillow for baby should be a small height, when the child lies on the pillow, his head and body should be at the same level. It is desirable that the pillow be made of elastic material, so that it passes air, is washable, safe and hypoallergenic.

Rule number 3 - you can sometimes wake the child

If your baby sleeps more than 2-3 hours during the day, this means that his nighttime sleep will last less than 8 hours, which is detrimental to the health of parents. Therefore, it is recommended to wake the baby after 2-3 hours. daytime sleep so that his night's sleep is long.

After you wake the child up several times during the day, his body will get used to living in such a rhythm, and he himself will no longer sleep too much during the day.

Rule #4- optimize feeding time

From the age of one to three, the child does not need night feeding, it is enough to feed him well before bedtime, and he can sleep all night.

If your baby still wakes up at night to eat, try to rethink his diet and feeding frequency. Your baby may be able to sleep through the night without waking up if you feed him more hearty foods at night than during daytime feedings, such as porridge. For a good appetite before going to bed, it is desirable that by the last feeding the baby is very hungry, then he will eat greedily and eat up.

Rule number 5 - spend the day actively

For good night the temperature in the child's room should not be more than 20 degrees, and the humidity should be in the range of 50-70%.

In order for the baby to sleep well day and night, he must get tired, that is, spend his energy. To provide your child with good energy expenditure, spend the day actively: walk a lot (at least 3 hours a day), play outdoor games, sleep in the fresh air, help your baby explore the world.

Rule number 6 - take care of the microclimate in the nursery

For a good sleep the temperature in the child's room should not be more than 20 degrees and humidity should be between 50-70%.

Also, do not forget about regular ventilation and wet cleaning. Of course, it is desirable that there are no extra dust collectors in the child’s room: carpets on the walls, curtains, books.

Rule number 7 - do not forget about bathing

Evening bathing baby in cool water is a great way for the baby to get tired and hungry, and then eat well and fall asleep until the morning. Take advantage of the swimming opportunities!

Mom Camila says: "My son long time I woke up every 2-3 hours at night for feeding, I, of course, wanted him to learn to sleep 7-8 hours at night as soon as possible. I read that children start to sleep well at night after a good evening swim, for this they need to be bathed for 20-30 minutes in cool water, about 34 degrees (of course, the temperature should be lowered to this point gradually). So I started bathing the child, after such a swim he became very hungry, ate well and slept peacefully for 7-8 hours.

Good sleep supports human health and performance. Especially important sleep for children. If the child does not sleep well, he becomes capricious, loses his appetite, and lags behind in physical development. Such a child is more prone to various diseases than other children. That's why it's so important for parents to know How much sleep does a child need (in hours).

Benefits of healthy sleep for children and adults

Brain cells have the opportunity to rest only during sleep. Benefits of healthy sleep for children and adults in that it protects the brain, prevents disturbances in activity nerve cells and ensures normal human life. Rest during sleep and other organs. The skin of the face turns pink, the rhythm of heart activity and breathing slows down, the muscles relax and require less nutrients than usual. During sleep, body tissues accumulate fats, proteins, carbohydrates for subsequent work during wakefulness.

Some parents think that during sleep the child is not affected at all. environment. It turns out that this is not so. For example, in a sleeping child, one can observe an increase in the pulse and respiration under the influence of sharp, odorous substances, cold, heat, and other factors. The great physiologist I. P. Pavlov established that while some parts of the brain rest during sleep, others are on guard duty, protecting the body from harmful influences.

How many hours should a child sleep in hours?

Depending on age, the duration of sleep and wakefulness of children varies. Installed exemplary norms in hours, how much a child should sleep. Depending on the individual features The number of hours needed for healthy sleep may vary:

A newborn baby sleeps almost all the time, his sleep is interrupted only at the time of feeding.
A child up to 3-4 months sleeps for 1.5-2 hours between feedings and about 10 hours at night.
Children from 4 months to 1 year old should sleep during the day, 3 times for 1.5-2 hours, and about 10 hours at night.
It is useful for a child from 1 to 2 years old to sleep 2 times for 1.5-2 hours during the day, and 10 hours at night.
Children's nap time preschool age- 2-2.5 hours, and at night - 9-10 hours.
Finally, schoolchildren usually do not sleep during the day, but at night children over 7 years old need to sleep at least 9 hours.
Children with diseases of the intestines, lungs, infectious diseases should sleep 2-3 hours more than is necessary for healthy children of the same age.

Table: how much sleep the child should (in hours)