Do you know these things about your 4-7 month old baby's sleep? (Infant Sleep & SIDS Awareness)

As your little one grows up, you start to have a lot of questions about his sleep, don't you? Between the ages of four and seven months, babies' sleep patterns start to change a bit. So today, let's talk about some of the most important things you need to know about your baby's sleep during this time.

How long should 4-7 month old babies sleep?

At this age, it is considered healthy for your baby to sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day. This includes both nighttime sleep and naps during the day. This is what the National Sleep Foundation says.

Imagine, most of these 12-16 hours, that is, 9 hours or more, are spent sleeping continuously at night. True, sometimes they wake up a little, but they can be put back to sleep.

Are daytime naps necessary?

Yes, definitely! Naps are very important for babies of this age. They usually take at least two naps a day. The total naps can be about 3-4 hours. These naps are what give their brains the energy to develop, learn, and be happy for the rest of the day. Just like when we adults take a little `power nap`, we feel refreshed.

Is it still necessary to give milk at night at this age?

This is a problem that many mothers have. In fact, by about six months, most babies no longer need a nightly feed . Their stomachs are a bit bigger, so they can go longer without being hungry at one meal.

But there is something else. Breastfed babies may sometimes wake up once or twice a night to feed. That is normal. However, if your baby is gaining weight well and is drinking well during the day, you can gradually reduce the amount of milk you give at night. It is best to talk to your doctor and decide.

The most important thing is that before you immediately give your baby a feed when he wakes up at night, take a moment to see if he's really hungry or if he's in some other discomfort. Maybe a little touch and a gentle talk will help him fall back to sleep.

What's the best way to get your baby to sleep? Safe sleep!

This is the most important part of today's story. The way babies sleep directly affects their safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made specific recommendations on this.

Room-sharing is ``Room-sharing'', not ``Bed-sharing''!

Simply put, room-sharing is when your baby sleeps in the same room as you, but in a separate crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet . The AAP recommends this until your baby's first birthday, or at least for 6 months .

why is that?

• You can be close by: Being close to the baby makes it easier to feed him at night, comfort him, and check on him.
• Reduced risk of SIDS: This is the main reason. Let's look at it in a little more detail.

Bed-sharing means letting your baby sleep in the same bed as you. This is not recommended by the AAP, as it can increase the risk of SIDS and other dangers (e.g., the baby rolling over and suffocating).

Let's save the baby from the dangerous condition called `SIDS` (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)!

`SIDS` stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . It is the death of a healthy baby in their sleep for no apparent reason. It is truly a scary thing to think about. However, if we are aware and follow safety measures, this risk can be greatly reduced.

The risk of SIDS is highest during the first 6 months of a baby's life, which is why it's especially important to take extra care during this time to ensure safe sleep.

To reduce the risk of SIDS, be sure to do these things:

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back (tummy up): This is the most important thing. The risk of SIDS is much higher when your baby sleeps on their stomach or side. Even if your baby is used to rolling over on his own, always put him to sleep on his back.
• Use a firm, flat sleeping surface: The mattress in your baby's crib should be firm. Avoid using soft bedding that will press the baby's face against the mattress.
• Do not place unnecessary items inside the crib: Do not place items like blankets, pillows, soft toys, and bumper pads inside the crib. These can cover the baby's face and cause suffocation. If the baby is cold, put something like a snug `sleep sack` on them.
• Put your baby to sleep in your room, but in a separate place: As we said before, ``Room-sharing'' is best.
• Don't smoke around your baby: Smoking around your baby, both during pregnancy and after birth, greatly increases the risk of SIDS. If anyone in the home smokes, quitting completely is the best gift you can give your baby.
• Don't let your baby get too hot: Don't overdress or overblanket your baby while he's sleeping. Keep the room temperature at a comfortable level for you. Feel the back of your baby's neck to see if he's sweating.
• Use a pacifier: Some studies have shown that giving a pacifier at bedtime reduces the risk of SIDS. However, if you are breastfeeding, it is best to introduce a pacifier after breastfeeding is well established (after 3-4 weeks). If the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth after falling asleep, there is no need to put it back in.

How to get into the habit of good sleep?

At this age, babies are gradually becoming more aware of their daily routines. Therefore, establishing a consistent bedtime routine and small routines before it will help your baby get a good night's sleep.

Imagine, if you bathe your baby every night around 7:30 PM, dress him in clean clothes, sing a soft song for a while, and put him in the crib, after a while the baby will know, "Now is the time to sleep."

A simple ``Bedtime Routine`` can include things like:

• Bathing (with lukewarm water)
• Wearing clean, comfortable sleepwear
• Sing a song softly, or read a short story (even if the baby doesn't understand, your voice is comforting to him)
• A little cuddle
• Then, when the baby is drowsy but not completely asleep, put him down in the crib. Then he will learn to fall asleep on his own.

The most important thing is to do this ``bedtime routine`` the same way and at the same time every day (consistency).

Minor sleep problems that occur during this time

Not all babies are the same. Some babies may still have some sleep challenges at this age.

• Sleep Regressions: Babies' sleep patterns change around 4 months of age, so even a baby who was previously a good sleeper may wake up more at night for a few days. This is usually temporary.
• Teething: Babies can also wake up at night due to discomfort in the gums during teething.
• Separation Anxiety: At this age, some babies start to feel a little scared when they can't see their mother or caregiver. This can also affect sleep.

At times like this, it is important to comfort the baby with patience and love.

When should you tell a doctor?

Usually, babies' sleep patterns improve with small changes. However, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor if you have any of the following:

• If your baby continues to wake up many times at night and is having a hard time getting back to sleep.
• If the baby is not gaining weight properly.
• If you seem to have difficulty breathing during sleep (e.g., snoring loudly, feeling like you are choking).
• If you are very worried about your baby's sleep.

Remember, every baby is different. Your baby doesn't have to sleep the same way your friend's baby does. It's important to find a method that works for your baby and is safe.

Finally, remember this.

Okay, so we've talked about a lot today, haven't we? I hope these facts about your 4-7 month old's sleep will be useful to you.

• Babies need plenty of sleep: 12-16 hours a day, including a nighttime sleep and two daytime naps.
• Safe sleep is the most important thing: always put your baby to sleep on their back, on a firm mattress, without unnecessary things in the crib, in your own room but in a separate place. This can reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Establish a consistent bedtime routine: This will make it easier for your baby to fall asleep.
• Be patient: Every baby is different. Some days will be difficult, but with time everything will be fine.
• You are not alone: ​​If you have a problem, seek advice from a doctor or family health worker.

May your baby sleep well!

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