Baby Won’t Nap? 10 Common Reasons a Baby Won’t Sleep
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When a newborn refuses to nap, new mothers who are desperate for a postpartum break can become extremely frustrated. While most adults consider naps to be a "luxury," babies do not always appreciate that luxury. Even the most devoted sleepers will have days when naps appear to be too much to ask. Resting alone is too much to ask for some babies on any given day.
Consider some of the possible causes of your baby's inability to nap. Once you understand what is causing your child's refusal to sleep, you may be able to come up with your own creative solutions to get your child on a more consistent sleep schedule.
A sufficient amount of sleep is required for growth and development. Even toddlers and children require regular naps to allow their bodies to work toward growth milestones. Babies are easily overtired, which causes fussiness and crying. The more overtired a baby becomes during the day, the more difficult it is for them to sleep at night.
Overtired babies may send hunger signals in order to seek the comfort of their mother's breasts. Overfeeding can cause gas and other digestive problems, which can lead to even more fussiness and crying. Mamas and caregivers who are exhausted need time to rest, complete household tasks, or simply spend time alone. Naptime may be your only chance to take a shower, soak in the tub, or make a phone call. That time is critical for your mental health. Now that you have a better understanding of what may be causing your baby to resist napping, you can start thinking about solutions.
10 Reasons Your Baby Won’t Nap
1. Your Baby Is Overtired
Because the baby doesn't get enough sleep at night, the baby may struggle to nap during the day. Sleep deprivation essentially leads to more sleep deprivation. That may appear to be a problem without a solution, but there are several steps you can take to improve your baby's sleep patterns both during the day and at night.
You can go through the rest of this list to figure out why your baby isn't napping. Begin by ensuring that your baby has enough opportunities to sleep without interruptions during the day. She requires dim lighting and a quiet environment, as well as possibly soothing music in the background. If that doesn't work, you might find something on this list that does.
2. When Your Baby Suffers From a Medical Condition
GERD, short for gastroesophageal reflux disease, is one of the most common health conditions that can disrupt sleep. Lying flat causes heartburn, spitting up, and gas pain, making it difficult, if not unthinkable, for a baby to sleep peacefully and safely. Other medical conditions that may interfere with napping include ear infections, which may disturb a baby who normally naps well.
If your baby ordinarily sleeps well but suddenly refuses to nap, she should see a pediatrician or family doctor. You may also notice other signs of distress, such as too much spitting up, projectile vomiting, or tugging on infected ears.
3. Your Baby Is More Hungry Than Tired
Babies have a greater need for vital nutrients. It's possible that your feeding schedule is out of sync with when you want your baby to nap. That hunger causes fussiness, which is easily mistaken for nap resistance. Plan a naptime for your baby soon after he or she has eaten. That full stomach may aid in her falling and staying asleep for a longer period of time.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, you could try dream feeding. That is the practice of waking the baby just enough to start a short feeding while they are still sleeping. This can result in longer sleep periods, allowing caregivers to get the rest they require. Remember that getting more sleep at night can keep your baby from becoming overtired, which can lead to difficulty sleeping during the day.
4. Your Baby Is Overstimulated In The Hour Leading Up To Naptime
Some parents try to increase activity and stimulation just before naptime in order to tire the child out so that they are ready to sleep when the scheduled nap time arrives. That may work for some babies, but it has the potential to backfire. The stimulation can result in an overly alert baby who has difficulty winding down and falling asleep.
Try silencing your baby's environment and reducing the stimulation in the days leading up to nap time. Turn down the lights. Speak to your baby in a soothing, calm tone of voice. Play gentle, calming music. Read a story without using an overly animated voice. Allow older children to play outside to reduce the amount of activity indoors. Don't expect your baby to fall asleep right away. You're laying the groundwork for her to unwind and hopefully fall asleep easily.
5. Ambient Lighting Will Have Thrown Your Baby's Internal Clock Off Touch With Reality
Technology is a natural part of modern life, but it emits artificial light that can signal to the human mind that it is daytime. Adults, according to studies, do not sleep as well with this ambient light in their surroundings, and babies are no exception.
Try turning off all screens as naptime approaches to see if it makes a significant difference for your baby. You can also ensure that your baby receives natural sunlight during the day, followed by dimmable environments in the evening or near naptime. Opening windows, taking walks, or sitting on the porch can all help your baby learn when to stay awake and when to sleep.
6. Your Baby Doesn’t Understand That You Want Her To Nap
It is not the same as telling your baby that it is time to sleep and getting your baby to understand that it is time to sleep. Young babies are still learning to understand language and rely on environmental cues to determine what is expected of them at any given time.
Creating a pre-naptime routine is one way to communicate that it is nap time. Yes, you may already have an evening bedtime routine, but you may require anything similar to lead up to daytime sleep periods. Changes in lighting, position, location, and clothing can all be reflexes to your baby that it's time to rest. This, like bedtime routines, requires consistency over time. Your baby must understand that when certain events occur, it is time to sleep.
7. Your Baby Doesn’t feel comfortable In The Position Placed In At Naptime
When it comes to feeling secure and comfortable when it's time to sleep, babies are no different than adults. Adjust where and how your baby sleeps to see if a different position, less clothing, or a different environment is required.
8. Your Baby’s Sleep Needs Are Changing Due To Natural Growth
Babies require less sleep during the day as they grow older. You might notice that your baby suddenly refuses to nap at a certain time of day, or that he or she will only tolerate one nap instead of two. It's possible that her stage of development necessitates less sleep or a different daytime sleep schedule.
In this case, try working with your baby. If she is resisting naps at a certain time of day, make it optional or move it to a different time of day. Allowing your baby some control over her schedule can make life easier for both of you.
9. Your Baby Needs More Structure And A Consistent Daytime Schedule
While there's nothing wrong with letting the day unfold naturally, some babies require structure in order to sleep well. If you don't have a consistent schedule in your household, try making one for your baby. She may have an easier time napping when naptime and bedtime are more predictable.
10. You’re Waking Your Baby Up When Transitioning Between Upright And Flat Positions
You've been rocking or pacing your baby to sleep, only to have those little eyes flutter open as you're gently laying her down in the crib or bassinet. It's as if your baby has an internal alarm that screams. What is actually happening is a change in the fluid in the inner ear. As your baby is eased into a flat position, the fluid rolls, and this is enough to wake many babies up, especially in the early stages of sleep. If you suspect that this is one of the reasons your baby isn't napping, the following suggestions may help you avoid early waking during that transition.
Allow your baby to nap in a swing or bouncy seat. When you bounce the seat or rock the swing while your baby is already in a comfortable sleeping position, you avoid having to lay her down after she falls asleep. It reduces your cuddle time, but you might enjoy sitting nearby with a book, folding laundry, or simply getting fresh air through a window. In your bed, take a nap next to your baby. If your baby wakes up while you are changing positions, you can soothe her back to sleep by lying next to her. This way, you can both get some rest.
Anticipate sleep training, which will teach your baby to sleep on their own. This eliminates the need to move to a flat position. You may believe that this entails allowing your baby to "cry it out," but there are softer methods that do not require emotional stress for either your baby or you. Check to see if your baby is old enough for the sleep training strategy you want to try.
I hope these tips help you get your baby into the right wake window.
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