A Young Child Without a Predictable Daily Rhythm
Do not blame yourselves because your little one has not yet developed a daily rhythm, even though you have tried to follow all the good advice you received (feeding on demand, allowing the child to express dissatisfaction and preventing loud protests in the cot). During the first six months, the child is shaping their way of understanding the world. Their sleep follows completely different rules from that of an older baby. A parent’s role is not to ‘put the baby to sleep’ but to create conditions that support falling asleep. The child will grow and begin to respond to your love and care, while their circadian rhythm will adjust to the boundaries you set now. It is not your fault; sometimes this simply happens. You are not the first to face this situation and will not be the last. Nor does it indicate a lack of competence compared with parents whose children already have a regular rhythm.
The source suggests that, at around three months, some babies may begin to develop a more recognisable rhythm after previously napping and feeding at variable times. It proposes helping to consolidate daytime sleep and lengthen night-time sleep.
To make it easier to introduce a consistent daily routine, try to assess how your child's day has been structured so far:
✓ Whether daytime naps are too long, or perhaps quite the opposite, the little one does not
can they be settled to sleep?
✓ Is the child fed according to a regular routine, or do they eat at different times each day…
at different times?
✓ How does the child respond to attempts to establish feeding and sleep routines?
Attempts to regulate eating and sleeping habits can feel like a fierce contest, as the child will certainly not be pleased about it. It may be easier to introduce fixed nap times than feeding times, because the little one may be hungry at different hours (unless they have become accustomed to feeding continuously, which should no longer be happening at this stage). On the other hand, you can try shifting sleep time by extending the period of wakefulness by 10-15 minutes each day. This will eliminate one nap, move night-time sleep to a later hour or achieve another intended goal.
Something to cuddle
Once the little one is a few months old, offer them their first teddy bear, which will be a playmate and can be taken into the cot. From then on, it will become closely associated with the bedtime routine. The child will always have something familiar within reach, something that can soothe them and that they can take on every journey. Parents can try to incorporate sleepusia also during evening play or storytelling, gradually helping the child become accustomed to its presence. During the day, children explore the world through toys. Different shapes, colours and materials engage their senses. They can enjoy exploring objects independently and making new discoveries, while repetition supports learning.
A baby who seems unwilling to sleep can be a major challenge for exhausted parents, for example by napping only briefly in a parent's arms. The source suggests first helping the child experience naps positively by using whatever settling method works, even rocking or driving the baby around in a car.
You need to work out how long the little one is able to sleep and let them wake when they decide they have slept as much as they need. You will discover that the child really does need to sleep during the day, even though this did not seem at all obvious during the first few months of their life, and that they do not belong to some strange species of babies whose batteries never run out. You will need to use this method until a nap pattern is established and the child becomes accustomed to a certain rhythm, expecting the same cycle of events each day. You will then be able to start putting them to sleep in their cot. To keep the baby warm, all that is needed is a well-fitting sleeping bag. The baby is unable to pull it over their head by themselves, so everyone can sleep peacefully. Remember not to let the room where the baby sleeps become too warm.
A sufficient temperature is 19oC. They should instead be protected from overheating. You can carefully check the child’s temperature by placing your hand between their shoulder blades. If the skin is warm and dry, everything is fine. Avoid rocking your child before bedtime, as they may not learn to fall asleep without help. The quality of sleep undoubtedly affects the most important aspects of our lives.
Emilia Adamczyk