Answer:
Infant sleep is divided into two forms: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as light sleep, and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. In newborns, REM sleep accounts for a larger proportion. Babies often squirm, startle, and wake during sleep. An infant's sleep cycle is short, sometimes lasting only about 50 minutes.
The phenomenon of startling, known as the Moro reflex, is a primary, normal reflex in one-month-old babies. This reflex is present from the womb, is strongest in the first months of life, and then gradually diminishes, disappearing after 4-6 months of age. Babies startle when there are changes in the external environment, such as noise, light, or sudden shifts in body balance. This is a physiological occurrence, indicating that the baby is learning and adapting to the external environment, and is generally not a pathological condition.
The Moro reflex and restless sleep gradually improve as the baby grows and their nervous system matures. Not sleeping deeply, startling easily, and crying at one month of age will not affect physical or brain development if the baby is feeding well and gaining weight appropriately. However, if the baby shows continuous crying, is difficult to soothe, has slow weight gain, poor feeding, lethargy, or reduced activity, they should be taken to a hospital for a doctor's examination and appropriate consultation.
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A nurse monitors an infant's sleep at the Neonatal Center. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
A nurse monitors an infant's sleep at the Neonatal Center. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
To improve your baby's sleep, you should create a quiet sleeping space and environment, or one with white noise. The bedroom light should be soft, the temperature suitable, and free from strange odors, mold, dust, or cigarette smoke.
Parents should practice placing the baby on the mattress correctly. Swaddling the baby helps limit movements, keeping their arms and legs tucked in like their position in the womb, which makes the baby feel safe, comfortable, and at ease. When the baby is awake, parents can encourage them to move, stretch their limbs, and have tummy time to promote good blood circulation and develop a firm, healthy body.
Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns. You should consume enough nutrients and avoid dieting during this period to ensure the quality of breast milk, contributing to your baby's good sleep.
Doctor, Level I Specialist Nguyen Thi Kim Hoc
Neonatal Center
Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
