According to statistics, the incidence of sleep problems in children aged 0-5 in mainland China is as high as 20%1, and the infant period (0-3 years old) is a critical period for babies to form sleep circadian rhythms and behavioral habits.
Sleep has 6 major implications for infants and young children:
Promotes the development and development of brain function
Promotes the storage of brain energy
Promotes growth and developmental function
Enhances immune function
Promotes cognitive development
Promotes physical recovery
For premature babies, good and adequate sleep is an important way to help the baby's physique and neurodevelopment, longer sleep time helps the premature baby secrete more growth hormone, promote physical growth2, therefore, to create a good sleep environment for the baby, help the baby to cultivate a good sleep rhythm is imperative.
How can I help my premature baby sleep more and form circadian rhythms?
1
Suitable touch massage3
Scientific and appropriate touch massage can help your baby calm down, reduce crying, and increase sleep time.
Common strokes:
Head and face: The thumbs of both hands are gently pushed from the center of the forehead to the sides; the thumbs of both hands are slid from the center of the lower forehead outward upwards; the palms of the hands are caressed from the hairline of the forehead to the pillow, and the fingers of both hands stop at the breast process behind the ear and gently press.
Chest: Slide both hands from the lateral lower side of the chest to the contralateral side of the outer upper side.
Abdomen: Slide from the baby's right lower abdomen through the middle upper abdomen to the left upper abdomen with both hands in turn; the right finger abdomen slides from the left upper abdomen to the left lower abdomen; the right finger abdomen slides from the right upper abdomen through the left upper abdomen to the left lower abdomen; the right finger abdomen slides from the right lower abdomen through the right upper abdomen to the left lower abdomen.
Limbs: Grasp the proximal edge of the limb with both hands and squeeze it to the distal end, and rub the large muscle groups and joints, first doing the upper limb and then the lower limb.
Hands and feet: Use both thumbs to slide from the baby's wrist to the direction of the finger, and gently pinch each hand joint; the foot is the same as the hand.
Dorsal: Place your baby in a prone position and slide your hands from the sides of the spine from the center to the sides.
Pay attention to the baby's expression when touching, keep the voice soft, talk to the baby appropriately, and help the baby relax physically and mentally.
It should be noted that premature babies within one week of birth are usually difficult to withstand heavy force compressions, during which time parents only need to gently touch the baby's head or back when stroking.
*The above touch methods are for reference only, and the specific methods of touching premature babies should be studied and carried out under the guidance of medical staff.
02
Play soothing music 4
Melodious, soothing music is available, with lullabies, children's songs and orchestral, guitar or piano music to help premature babies relax. It is recommended that the continuous playback time is not more than 1.5 hours per day, no more than 30 minutes each time, and the playback volume is less than 60 decibels.
3
Optimize feeding and care
Help your baby's biorhythms synchronize with the circadian rhythms of the outside world by adjusting feeding and care styles.
Promote breastfeeding: Breastfed babies sleep longer and are less likely to have sleep disturbances. As your baby ages, breastfeeding should be separated from sleep, at least 1 hour before bedtime, to avoid disturbing sleep due to urination/bowel movements.
Regular work and rest: from 3-5 months of age, fix the baby's bedtime, you can try to cultivate the habit of letting the baby fall asleep around 9 pm, forming a regular work and rest.
Create a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby: It is recommended that the temperature in the bedroom of the premature baby be maintained at 20-25 ° C and the relative humidity is 60-70%. And avoid wearing too much or too tight clothes for the baby to sleep, or put TVs, telephones, computers and other objects in the baby's bedroom that may excite the baby and interfere with sleep.
All in all, parents can try to help premature babies appropriately increase sleep time, form circadian rhythms, and develop good sleep habits by creating good sleeping conditions for premature babies, optimizing feeding and care methods, formulating reasonable schedules, and creating a comfortable sleeping environment, so as to promote the growth and development of the baby's physique and nerves.
bibliography:
1. Bao Xiulan, et al. Early education and early intervention in infants and young children aged 0-3 years (1st ed.). Beijing:People's Medical Publishing House.] 2018: 261-265.
2. Liao Wei, et al. Chongqing Medicine. 2010; 039(021): 2908-2910.
3. WANG Liyan. International Journal of Nursing. 2011; 30(2): 169-171.
4. Fang Liping, Zhong Lili. Nursing Practice and Research. 2014; 11(10): 58-59.