How to wake a baby?

Why You Might Need to Wake a Sleeping Baby

I’m usually part of the #neverwakeababyquidort group, but sometimes we have to wake our little ones. That’s life! I do NOT like being woken up, and neither do most kids! Luckily, there are little things we can do to make waking our little ones a little easier, read below!

When should I wake my baby?

• When he sleeps too much during the day: This can interfere with his nighttime sleep. Typically, this means a nap of more than 4 hours for a newborn, 2.5 to 3 hours for an infant, and 2 hours for an older child. Some children have a high need for sleep and can take long naps without it affecting their nighttime sleep, so don't cut out naps unless you notice that they're not getting enough sleep at night.
• When Naptime Is Too Close to Bedtime: If little ones don't get enough awake time before bedtime, they may not fall asleep easily. Check a sleep chart to see how much awake time is recommended based on your child's age.
• When life demands it: Sometimes it is necessary to wake your child for an appointment, to pick up another child, or for other obligations such as work.

How to wake your baby

Waking a baby can be tricky, especially if they are sleeping soundly. Here are some tips to make this moment easier:

• Monitor sleep cycles: One of the best tips is to check when sleep cycles end. Infant sleep cycles last about 30 to 45 minutes. At the end of one cycle, they will wake up briefly before moving on to the next. If you wake them during this transition, it will be much easier than interrupting a deep sleep.
• Wake them up slowly: Start by gently opening the curtains to let in natural light, gradually reduce white noise, and let their body adjust (you can also use a dawn simulator alarm clock ). If that doesn't help, gently rub their face or move their arms slightly to help them wake up.
• Pack a snack: Sometimes kids wake up cranky and hungry. Offer them a small snack like applesauce or cheese as soon as they wake up. This can help ease the transition and help them start their day smoothly.

Waking a child up can seem difficult, but by respecting their sleep cycles and taking a gentle approach, it can become a more enjoyable time for everyone.