For mothers, taking care of their ch.ildr.en at night is probably a "nightmare". Many mothers even stay up all night with dark circles under their eyes because their children often cry at night and cannot sleep well. However, not all babies are like that, there are extremely "lucky" babies, partly because their mothers have trained them to be disciplined or because they are easy-going by nature. Therefore, taking care of such babies makes mothers much healthier and more relaxed.
Recently, a 10-second clip has been circulating on social networks, recording the entire scene of a newborn baby sleeping in bed at midnight, the baby has actions that surprise the online community. The baby's mother is sleeping soundly and does not know anything, until the next day when she looks at the camera and "laughs out loud" at her son's series of gestures.
Specifically, at nearly 2am, while the whole family was in deep sleep, there was a “young bamboo shoot” with eyes closed but still holding the milk bottle tightly, drinking until it was empty and full, then throwing the bottle to the bedside, then continuing to bury himself in the warm blanket to enjoy his sleep. During that time, the newborn baby did not make any disturbances, on the contrary, he was extremely quiet. Thanks to that, the parents of the baby lying next to him also enjoyed a full sleep until morning.
This adorable moment of the little boy makes anyone who sees it want to rewind and watch it a few times. Many moms have been admiring him, praising him, and "wishing" that their own little "angels" could be as easy-going and well-behaved. A baby who sleeps peacefully through the night not only helps them grow quickly, develop well, and form healthy habits, but also makes the parenting process easier by reducing the number of sleepless nights and the exhaustion of trying to get them to sleep.
Through this amusing situation, many parents may realize just how important it is to establish good eating and sleeping habits for their children. Only in this way can parents have a little more peace of mind, especially with more fussy babies or those who wake up during the night.
How Important is Sleep for a Child’s Development?
Newborns, when still in the womb, don’t have a concept of day or night, as it’s always dark. When they are born, they generally sleep for about 20 hours a day. However, as they grow, they sleep more during the night than during the day. Most importantly, sleep is absolutely crucial for a child’s growth and development.
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Good sleep promotes mental development: Studies have shown that babies who sleep well tend to develop better IQ. This is because sleep positively affects memory, creativity, and the mental state of the baby.
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Sleep helps with height growth: Research indicates that about 70% of growth hormone is secreted during deep sleep at night. Therefore, those who stay up late and get poor sleep often experience stunted growth after 3 to 6 months. This is due to the lack of growth hormone caused by sleep disorders in children.
This situation occurred with a family where the parents were tall, but the child was much shorter than peers of the same age. After a medical checkup, doctors confirmed everything was normal. The doctors listed various factors that can affect a child's height. It was later discovered that the child stayed up too late, as one of the parents often played games late into the night. The whole family rarely went to bed before midnight.
The doctors explained that the growth hormone secretion peaks between 10 p.m. to midnight and from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. A baby who sleeps deeply during these times is most beneficial for their growth and development. Therefore, if parents want their child to be smarter and taller, it’s recommended that the child go to bed by 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to ensure they get a full 10 hours of sleep.
Additionally, parents should establish bedtime routines to help their children sleep better and more soundly, such as massaging the child, playing soft music, or telling bedtime stories.
Tips to Help Children Sleep Better:
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Create a quiet sleeping environment: Make sure the bedroom is quiet and comfortable. Use curtains to block light and a white noise machine to minimize surrounding noise.
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Set a consistent sleep routine: Help your child establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This helps regulate their internal clock.
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Avoid stimulation before bedtime: Limit activities that could be stimulating, such as watching TV or running around before sleep. Instead, focus on relaxing activities like reading books or listening to calm music.
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Create a relaxation routine: Establish a bedtime routine that includes activities such as taking a warm bath, reading, or practicing breathing exercises and light massages. These activities help the child relax and ease into sleep.
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Encourage independence: Encourage your child to sleep on their own without needing parents’ presence. If the child wakes up in the middle of the night, let them figure out how to go back to sleep instead of intervening immediately.
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Track sleep patterns: Keep a log of your child’s sleep and wake times to understand their sleep patterns. This can help you identify factors affecting their sleep and make adjustments accordingly.