Why your child isn’t sleeping, even when you follow all the rules?
Many parents strictly follow recommendations: rituals, schedules, and comfort. However, the baby may still be fussy, refuse to go to bed on time, or "mix up" day and night. The issue isn't your actions; it’s that average internet sleep charts often don't align with a specific child's biological rhythm.
National Sleep Foundation recommendations offer a broad range, not a fixed number:
- 4–11 months: 12–15 hours per day;
- 1–2 years: 11–14 hours;
- 3–5 years: 10–13 hours.
The spectrum of needs is so individual that the same amount of sleep can be normal for one child and excessive for another. Blindly following charts leads to oversleeping (the child is too active at night) or sleep deprivation (accumulated fatigue prevents falling asleep).
Sensory Profile: The Key to Comfort
Comfort depends on the child’s temperament and perception:
- Sensitive children: Require maximum silence and total darkness.
- Active children: Need intense physical activity during the day. For them, longer periods of wakefulness and shorter daytime naps are often the key to a restful night.
Parent Checklist: Take Action Now
- Keep a sleep diary: Record precise sleep times during the day and night for one week.
- Identify your own norm: Compare your data with the NSF range. Is your child closer to the lower or upper limit?
- Adjust the load: If the child sleeps minimally, reduce daytime stimuli (light, noise). If they sleep at the maximum, check if they are getting too much daytime sleep.
- Adapt the environment: Adjust lighting and activity levels to meet your baby's sensory needs.
Remember: Schedules and rituals are basic tools, but the result depends on your child's individual needs.
