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Recognizing Baby Sleep Disorders
We may not realize this but babies also suffer from sleep disorders. They tend to be "light sleepers" who wake up from the slightest sound. Studies indicate that sleep disorders in babies are higher for boys, firstborn children and those who are prone to colic or ear infections. Parents, unintentionally, are the main cause for infant insomnia. Babies, like adults, should have a bedtime routine for them to sleep soundly. However, parents usually fuss over their little ones, (especially if they are their first baby) without realizing that breaking the routine affects their babys sleeping habits. Male infants on the other hand are generally hyperactive, thus making it a struggle at times to let them relax and sleep. They are also prone to experience SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome and other conditions contributing to sleep disorders.
There are some common yet often unrecognized types of baby sleep disorders: Body rocking, Head banging and Sleepwalking. * Body Rocking An infant may resort to body rocking since the back and forth movement lulls them to sleep. This is not easily recognizable as a sleep disorder because infants are usually rocked to sleep and thus considered as normal behavior. Babies cooperate more in stopping this behavior if done in a creative and fun way. Should their constant rocking be forceful, just move the crib away from the wall. * Head Banging Some infants resort to banging their heads against their crib. This behavior of the child gets immediate attention from adults around him since head banging appears to create injury or cause pain to the child. Actually, the baby does not feel any pain. Parents should recognize this as the babies way of trying to ease the pain they feel when they are teething or have an ear infection. Treat the cause, whether teething or ear infection, in order to put a stop this seeming masochistic behavior. Also, try to pacify the baby by playing soft music or soothing sounds near the crib. * Sleepwalking Fifteen percent of infants sleepwalk and doctors are baffled as to why it happens. They theorize that changes in the childs day time sleeping habits and sickness may cause this sleep disorder. Sleeping in an environment new to the child may also cause sleepwalking. This usually occurs a few hours after falling asleep. Babies who sleepwalk appear to be awake but are actually in a deep non-dreaming mode. It is best not to wake them up but just guide them back to bed and ensure safety by locking doors and windows.
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