It can be confusing to sometimes understand babies’ needs and behaviors, especially concerning their sleep routine. A common problem most new moms face is when their 3 weeks old baby is fighting sleep. They do this even when tired, leading to stress and exhaustion for both them and their mothers. If you have been facing this problem, keep reading, as this blog post will address why your 3 weeks old baby is fighting sleep. It will also provide helpful tips to solve this problem while supporting your baby’s sleep routine.
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Why is my 3-week-old fighting sleep?
Here are some possible reasons why your baby is fighting sleep:
1. Hunger: Your baby will find it difficult to sleep if they are hungry. Rather than sleep, they will stay awake because of the discomfort they are feeling in their stomachs.
2. Distractions: If too many distractions are around, your 3-week-old baby may find sleeping difficult. Distractions may result from loud sounds from the TV and other electronic devices and bright lights.
3. Colic: Your baby will likely fight sleep if they are affected by colic. Colic is a condition that makes babies cry and fuss excessively.
4. Developmental changes: If your baby is experiencing natural developmental changes, their sleep patterns may likely be affected, as they will have trouble falling asleep quickly the way they used to.
5. Discomfort: If your baby is experiencing discomfort from wet diapers, tight clothing, and inappropriate temperatures, they are likely to fight sleep.
How do I get my 3-week-old to stop fighting sleep?
1. Attend to your baby’s needs
Quickly attend to them, especially during bedtime. Feed them if they are hungry. Ensure their diapers are clean and fresh. Also, wear the appropriate clothing on them. Be careful not to over-swaddle them so they don’t get overheated. Make sure the temperature in their rooms is right for them.
2. Develop a consistent bedtime routine
Determine a specific bedtime for your 3 weeks old baby and ensure to lay your baby down to sleep once it is that time. Ensure you bathe your baby before that time to help them relax and sleep off quickly.
3. Be attentive to your baby’s sleep cues
Learn to identify when your baby is showing signs of sleepiness. Once they are tired and start closing or rubbing their eyes, do not delay further. It would help if you immediately lay them down to sleep.
4. Swaddle your baby
Many babies sleep faster when swaddled or held close by their moms. Swaddle your baby more often so they can easily relax and sleep off. At other times, you can cuddle and rock them in your arms until they sleep off, then gently lay them down in their bassinet.
Is it true that babies who fight sleep are smart?
It is totally baseless to think that babies who fight sleep are smart because no scientific proof suggests that. Babies’ temperaments and sleep patterns vary, so some babies are more active than others. Factors that make babies fight sleep have nothing to do with their levels of smartness. Instead, fighting sleep will make your baby cranky and discomforted. Parents can improve their baby’s smartness by supporting their cognitive development. Parents can do this by engaging them in interactive activities, reading and singing regularly, and providing a conducive and stimulating environment.
Conclusion
It can be bothering when your 3 weeks old baby is fighting sleep. Now you know why they will likely do so and all the possible solutions to prevent irregular sleeping behaviors. Ensure your pediatrician examines your baby regularly to rule out the possibility of them fighting sleep due to illness. However, ensure they receive proper medical care if tests confirm they are ill.
