One of the remarkable aspects of infant sleep is the "active sleep" phase, which is equivalent to the rapid eye movement (REM) phase in adults. During this phase, you may observe your baby twitching, smiling, or making noises. It may look like they’re awake when they’re actually sleeping! Pause and observe before interfering.
Active sleep is a lighter sleep phase where much of the brain's development occurs. It’s essential for newborns, who spend about half of their sleep time in this phase, to process the new world around them.
It’s a natural instinct to rush to your baby at the first sign of stirring or fussing, but pausing before intervening is crucial. Here’s why:
Self-Soothing:
Giving your baby a chance to self-soothe can foster better sleep habits. They might fuss a bit and then go back to sleep on their own.
Complete Sleep Cycles:
Rushing to your baby during active sleep might interrupt their sleep cycles, which could potentially hinder their sleep quality.
Learning and Recognition:
Observing your baby during these active sleep phases can also provide insight into their sleep patterns, aiding in recognizing when they genuinely need your intervention.
Observe:
Before swooping in, take a moment to observe your baby’s behaviors. Are they simply fussing, or are they in distress?
Wait:
Allow some time (a couple of minutes) to see if your baby will settle back to sleep on their own. It may surprise you how often they do.
Respond:
If your baby continues to cry or seems uncomfortable, that’s your cue to step in and comfort them.
Consistent Routine:
Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help signal to your baby when it's time to sleep, making it easier for them to settle.
Every baby is different, and what works for one baby may not work for another. Hence, finding what works best for your newborn and you might require some experimentation and adjustment along the way.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime at hello@mellow.ie - we're here to help! 💕