What to Do If Your Baby Is a Light Sleeper?

Is your baby a light sleeper?

If your baby is a light sleeper, you’re probably not having so much fun. Babies tend to sleep a lot; they simply need sleep. However, things tend to become complicated if your baby wakes up a lot.

First of all, your baby is nervous and grumpy because of the lack of sleep.

Secondly, you’re tired and overwhelmed. You don’t know what to do to make this better.

Your baby is nervous, and that makes you nervous.

Additionally, with the constant waking up, you can’t get anything done. Cooking, cleaning, or showering is a difficult task for you when your baby is a light sleeper.

Also, there are other people in your house. As a mom, you’re always the strongest when it comes to handling a baby. However, others are usually not so calm and patient.

That is understandable. Everybody needs a good night’s sleep. If other family members have work or school, and your baby is a light sleeper, you have to try and solve that problem.

You can’t forbid people to go to the bathroom or to walk around the house. You can’t stop your baby from waking up and crying.

I will try my best to help you with this problem, and after this article, you will feel better and motivated to fix your problem.

Why Is My Baby A Light Sleeper?

There are different sleep stages: REM sleep and Non- REM sleep. REM is a short version of Rapid Eye Movement.

REM sleep phase is shorter. That’s an active stage of sleeping when we’re dreaming. Of course, some people remember their dreams, and some don’t. Our bodies are much more active in this phase than in the Non-REM phase.

Non-REM phase is longer, and its purpose is to restore your body. In this stage of your sleep cycle, your body is resting and relaxing. Your body needs some time to enter a deep sleep stage, so you can be easily woken up while you’re in the light sleep stage.

This information is important because there are some differences between sleep cycles in adults and babies. Adult people spend around 85% of their sleep in Non- REM phase, while babies spend only around 50%.

Another difference is that babies often need something that will help them go from the light to the deep sleep stage. That’s why people often use sleep props like pacifiers, snuggle toys, breastfeeding…

The sleep cycle duration in adults is around 90 minutes, while babies only get around 45-60 minutes. That’s why they’re not such good sleepers.

As you can see, there is a scientific explanation for why your baby is a light sleeper most of the time. Of course, there are still some babies who can sleep through anything.

Some babies have difficulties falling asleep, but they are easily woken up.

Sleep Patterns

When speaking in general, every baby is different. Some babies need more sleep than others. Some or good sleepers, and some aren’t. Sometimes, you’re not sure how much sleep is normal or not.

In the first two months of their life, babies sleep around 14 hours a day. However, since their day-night circadian rhythm is still developing and they’re often hungry, they wake up every two or three hours. Newborn sleep is unpredictable.

After the first two months, their sleep will become more regular, and sometimes they will even sleep through the night. You will see changes depending on how old your baby is. 6 months old babies and 1-month-old babies are very different.

When your baby wakes up, there are usually two phases. A quiet phase and a crying phase. When babies wake up, they need some time to realize they’re awake, and then when they do, they start crying for attention.

How To Help Yourself and Your Light-Sleeper-Baby?

You’re probably reading this article because you feel that your baby is more than just a light sleeper. The first thing you should do is discover what’s waking up your baby. Is it the dryer or the washing machine? Maybe it’s the TV or dishwasher. Sometimes it’s just walking around the house.

If this is the case, I feel your pain. You probably can’t use the bathroom in peace because you know that your baby will wake up. You feel like you can’t even move. On most days, you don’t do anything.

You just sit there and wait for your baby to have a nice nap time.

However, the reality is different. You know that you can’t be still forever. You know that others members of the family will come home, and life has to go on.

Of course, you’re comforting yourself with the fact that your baby won’t be a baby forever. Some day your baby will be a good sleeper and you will have some rest.

So, you’re just going forward through the pain.

I will give you some tips and tricks that will be truly helpful.

Independent Sleep

Independent sleep means you have to teach your baby to fall asleep independently. It sounds impossible, but it can be done with some effort and patience.

I know it’s easier to have your baby beside you, but if your baby is a light sleeper, the best thing to do at the moment is to get a room for your baby.

That way, there will be plenty of peace and quiet. No distraction, no walking around the baby, or anything similar.

Another good thing is getting a baby monitor. A baby monitor will allow you to watch over your baby without walking around the room. This is a great idea, especially if your baby is sensitive to footsteps.

Independent sleep training is hard if your baby is used to sleeping in your arms. If your baby needs rocking, singing, cuddling, car driving, or anything else to fall asleep, this is the time to get rid of that routine.

Of course, you don’t have to do this, but if you want to deal with the problem of your baby being a light sleeper, you should. Also, breastfeeding is a common way to get your baby to sleep.

Try to remove everything that helps your baby to sleep, give your baby a private space for sleeping, and be patient. Prepare yourself for some crying and noises. Everybody has problems with adjusting to something new.

Your patience will pay off.

Eventually, the baby will learn that something simply doesn’t exist anymore. Besides, babies will go to sleep fast because they need much more sleep than adults.

Try to relax and don’t be too nervous. Your baby can feel your anxiety. This is something that will help you in the future. If you don’t change something, it will only get worse.

It’s hard to let your baby be independent, but that will do so much good for you and your baby. So, stay persistent with the plan of independent sleeping and you will see some changes. Your baby could become a good sleeper and a deeper sleep will be attainable.

NOTICE: If your baby is tiny, it’s okay to stick to a certain routine and use sleep props if it helps the baby. Just make sure to stop the tradition when your baby gets older. Pacifiers, swaddling, rocking, and breastfeeding are sometimes inevitable when the baby has cramps or a cold.

White Noise

If your baby is a light sleeper, I’m sure you’ve heard of white noise. White noise has different frequencies that have a calming effect on babies and adults. Of course, you should find something that your baby likes.

In the past, people would turn on the TV, vacuum cleaner, or hair dryer, to get their baby to fall asleep. You can do that, but every single example of white noise is available online. When you find what your baby likes, just play it when it’s time for sleep. You can even get a white noise machine.

Leave your baby in the room, and I’m sure that they will fall asleep. Don’t worry about creating a habit. Many adults have to listen to some white noise to fall asleep. My favorite one is the sound of rain.

Make Sure That The Room Is Dark and Cool

Just like many adults need silence, darkness, and the right temperature to fall asleep, so do babies. If your baby is a light sleeper, try to create the perfect sleeping atmosphere.

Turn off the lights, pull the blinds down, buy some blackout curtains, and lower the temperature. If you’re not cold, the baby won’t be cold either. The quality of sleep is much better when the room is colder.

A dark room is also good for a good night’s sleep because darkness triggers the production of melatonin- the sleep hormone. Your baby will stay asleep for longer and it won’t wake so often in the middle of the night.

Spending Time Outside

It’s not so easy to walk with a baby outside. However, you should do it every day. It’s good for you and your baby. Fresh hair and natural sunlight are great for health.

Another benefit from this is that your baby’s brain will develop a sleep sense and a sense of daytime and nighttime. This way, melatonin production will be much better. Spending time outside will do wonders if your baby is a light sleeper.

Don’t Check Your Baby All The Time

For moms, it’s completely normal to check if your baby is sleeping. Also, moms tend to run to comfort their babies as soon as possible. However, be patient.

As I’ve said before, babies spend more time in the light sleep stage than they do in the deep sleep stage.

Just because they’re moving doesn’t mean they’re awake. Give it some time to see what happens. Sometimes, babies even open their eyes. In most cases, this doesn’t mean they’re awake.

Try staying away sometimes, because they will stop with their movements soon. If you try to pick your baby up or comfort it, you might actually be the cause of waking up.

Let Your Baby To Self-Soothe

There will be times when your baby will truly wake up. It won’t be just a movement or similar. However, if you know that your baby needs more sleep, try to let your baby self-soothe.

Beware, this can be hard. Hearing your baby cry for you is devastating, but in most cases, the baby will fall asleep again. Newborn sleep is not peaceful and steady.

Independent sleeping is essential if you want to improve your baby’s sleep. When a baby is a light sleeper, you have to be strong. Otherwise, some things will never change, and your baby could have problems sleeping even later.

So, be tough and strong. You can do this. It’s okay to approach your baby to see if everything is okay. Be calm and stable, and your baby will feel safe. Self-soothing is worth the effort.

Hire A Sleep Trainer or Sleep Consultant

The good thing about the modern world is the fact that we truly have experts for everything. Hire a professional sleep trainer for babies if you can’t improve anything on your own. It might not work, but it’s worth the shot if you’re desperate.

What If My Baby Is Older?

All of the above tips can be used for older babies too. After all, the baby is considered a child from birth to around age 4. Of course, some things are slightly different when you want to create a good sleeper. It’s not the same routine for a 3-month-old or 2-year-old child.

If your baby is walking, eating solid foods, speaking, and similar, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be a light sleeper. This situation can be harder and easier at the same time. It’s harder because your baby is big enough to understand some things. It’s harder because you can’t use some tricks and tips.

They can walk and talk, so it can be tricky to resolve this issue. However, it will be easier to find what works.

You can read your baby a story.

Your baby can choose a perfect pajama or bed.

Finally, your baby is big enough to understand some things. Tell them that sleeping matters if they don’t like going to bed. Set up a bedtime routine.

If they’re waking up often, comfort them with words if they can’t fall asleep again. Tell them that everything is okay and they can go back to sleep.

A dark room is the best environment for sleep, but if your child is not so small, a dark room might be a problem. If your baby is scared of sleeping in the dark, allow them to have a night light or something like that. Maybe a toy will help too. Sometimes it takes time and effort to turn your child into a good sleeper.

As you can see, this is something that doesn’t apply to smaller babies. That’s why you should experiment if you’re dealing with an older light-sleeper baby.

What If Nothing Is Working?

Some babies are light sleepers, and they are simply different than others. Before giving up, I strongly suggest being more persistent and patient. As a mom, I know how hard it is to practice independent sleeping. Child sleep can be such a complicated thing in your life.

Changes are difficult, but you won’t experience relief without changing something. So, please be more persistent and committed.

One important thing to mention if your baby is a light sleeper is going to the doctor. You should see a doctor if your baby is nervous, anxious, and crying. Maybe there is something that should be examined. This is a rare case, but it’s a logical step if you’ve tried everything.

Of course, there is an option that everything is fine, but your baby is a light sleeper by nature. Your baby may remain like this forever. I know that this is not what you want to hear, but it’s possible.

It will pass in a way that one day your baby will be big enough to stop asking for you or crying. Until then, you have to stay strong.

Maybe you feel like a bad mom for being nervous over this. Maybe you feel ungrateful because your child is healthy and well, and you’re making a big deal about light sleep.

However, sleep is important. If your baby is a light sleeper that means you don’t sleep enough. Even if you don’t get up every time you hear something, you’re still awake.

Sleep deprivation is a serious condition that can cause many problems with your health. Besides, if you’re sleep-deprived, you could cause some serious accidents in your home.

The solution is to get some sleep. Your baby may not be a good sleeper but you could be. You’re probably confused because I’ve just said that there is a possibility that your baby is a light sleeper by nature and now I’m saying get some sleep.

Well, the solution to getting some sleep is to get some help. It’s hard for many moms to ask for help. However, there is no shame in that. It’s better to ask for help than to wait for something bad to happen because you haven’t slept in weeks.

Your partner is also a parent. You’re not the one who has to do all the work, all the time. You need to rest and sleep.

Take turns and make a schedule. You have to go through this together as new parents. Besides, ask your partner to try the tips for helping a light-sleeper baby to sleep better. Who knows, maybe they will be more successful.

If your partner can’t help you all the time because of their job or something, hire a professional or a babysitter. Ask your family for help. You’re just a person with basic needs for sleep and food.

You’re a great mom, and sometimes you can’t change things. Once again, give your best to help your baby with sleep. Don’t give up on this too early because your baby can become a good sleeper.

Conclusion

I believe this article gave you some essential information you were looking for. If your baby is a light sleeper, you’re probably tired, worried, and overwhelmed.

It’s okay to feel that way because lack of sleep is not fun.

As I’ve said, some tips and tricks can help if your baby is a light sleeper, but you have to be ready for them. You must do everything possible to turn your baby into a good sleeper.

Your strength and dedication are crucial. Moms are superstars, but they’re not so strong when it comes to sleep training their children and giving them some hard time.

For this reason, you have to be decisive. Better sleep will help you and your baby. Once again, don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.

These things seem simple and unimportant, but they can truly drain you. Don’t let that happen, and find something that will help you.