Newborns - Newborn Sleeping Problems and Solutions

Few things can add up to trouble as quickly as a newborn with sleep problems.

Sleep deprivation is at least as serious for infants as it is for adults. The underlying causes remain an area of active investigation, but scientists believe they've identified several key ones, and some possible solutions.

Causes

Sleep deprivation occurs for any cause that prevents adequate quantity of sleep. Infants vary considerably in how much that is, with the amount changing for the first year. A one month old will need as much as 16 hours, sleeping off and on all day and night. From 6-9 months the number decreases to about 14, with the nighttime taking over about 3/4 of the total.

Quality of sleep counts, too. Several different sleep disorders can decrease it.

Nightmares, night terrors and other conditions are foremost examples. Nightmares are familiar to adults. Night terrors differ in that children are generally able to fall back asleep right away. The key neurological difference is that night terrors occur during deep sleep, nightmares during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) portion of the cycle.

Sleep apnea is a different type of sleep disorder, one in which breathing stops. In some cases the underlying neurological reasons are still unclear. In others, it's simply the result of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a sub-category called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In either case, the episodes are invariably short. Still, they interrupt the normal sleep cycle and can lead to lack of restful sleep.

Psychological issues may be at the root of some cases of newborn sleep difficulties, though this is likely more common in older babies of 9 months to about 3 years old. Separation anxiety, in which the child fears being away from the parent, can lead to a form of infant stress that interferes with the ability to sleep.

Treatments

Nightmares or night terrors may be the result of tension in the home, but they're just as often mysterious. Closeness and reassurance can go a long way toward helping the newborn fall back to sleep quickly.

Apnea that results from obstructions can be treated surgically, if the physician counsels that it is warranted. Typical pre-surgery evaluation includes careful monitoring of brain waves using an EEG and eye and chin movements. For this and other types of apnea, monitoring systems are available that will alert the parent when breathing stops for more than a few seconds. Gentle waking, followed by reassurance will let the child resume breathing and fall quickly back to sleep.

Separation anxiety is more difficult to detect, but easier to treat. Simple closeness, perhaps even co-sleeping, may be enough. Attachment bonding is desirable to let the infant know someone is close by to meet their needs at all times, even though they obviously aren't consciously aware of the need.

Avoid creating sleep problems by not feeding solid foods before infants are ready. For the first six months breast milk or formula is all they need. Also, avoid juice or milk near bed time after about 3 months of age, and don't feed in order to induce sleep. A full tummy doesn't necessarily lend itself to restful sleep. Instead, associate sleeping with positives by providing closeness, a pacifier, a stuffed toy or other safe object.

Summary

At bottom, parents need to be realistic. Individual babies vary widely in how long they sleep through the night normally, especially in the first six months. And, in almost all cases, even the most restless child will grow out of any sleep problem with time.