Newborn Day-Night confusion
You may be surprised to find that your newborn seems to have their days and nights mixed up. During the day, they might sleep through feedings and seem lethargic, only to wake up and become more alert and active at night. This phenomenon is known as day-night confusion, and it's a common occurrence in newborns.
There are a few reasons why your baby may be experiencing day-night confusion. Firstly, it's important to keep in mind that your newborn's circadian rhythm - the internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles - is not fully developed yet. Additionally, during pregnancy, babies are often lulled to sleep by the constant movement and noise of their mother's body, which means that they may be more active at night once they are born and there is less movement and noise.
Fortunately, there are strategies that you can use to help your newborn adjust to a more regular sleep-wake schedule.
# 1. Establish a consistent routine with bright light exposure during the day
One of the most effective ways to help regulate your newborn's sleep-wake cycle is to establish a consistent routine. This could include waking them up at the same time each day, and exposing them to bright light during their waking hours and dim light or darkness during sleep times. This can help to reinforce the difference between day and night and encourage more restful sleep at night.
# 2. Keep night time feedings and changes calm and quiet
When your newborn wakes up for their nighttime feeds, try to keep the environment as calm and quiet as possible. Avoid bright lights or stimulating activities, and instead focus on keeping the feeding session as low-key as possible. This can help your baby to stay relaxed and minimize any confusion around what time of day it is.
# 3. Introduce a bedtime routine
As your baby gets older and starts to develop more predictable sleep patterns, you may want to introduce a bedtime routine to help signal to your baby that it's time to start winding down for the night. This could include a bath, a story, or a lullaby, for example. A consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it's time for sleep and encourage them to rest more deeply through the night.
In conclusion, newborn day-night confusion is a common experience, but there are effective strategies that you can use to help regulate your baby's sleep-wake cycle and encourage more.
