Why You Should Never Wake A Sleeping Baby
As a new parent there are few things more precious than a sleeping baby. Whether you spent hours rocking them to sleep, or they drifted off on their own, that moment when they finally close their eyes is a sigh of relief for parents everywhere.
But babies are even more adorable when they’re awake and cooing, right? So, it’s understandable that you might be tempted to wake them up for a little playtime or to show them off to your friends.
Well, don’t do it! Why? Let’s explore below.
8 reasons why you shouldn’t wake a sleeping baby
1. They need their sleep
Babies need a lot of sleep, and disrupting their sleep patterns can have a negative impact on their development. Sleep is essential for a baby’s physical and mental growth, so waking them up prematurely can be detrimental to their health.
2. They’ll be cranky
Just like adults, babies can get cranky when they don’t get enough sleep. And waking them up from a nap can leave them feeling groggy and irritable. So wake them at your own risk – you’re the one who’ll have to deal with all that crankiness.
3. They might miss out on important sleep stages
Babies go through different sleep stages that are essential for their development. By waking them up, you could be interrupting a critical stage of their sleep, which could have long-term consequences.
4. It’s harder to get them back to sleep
Once you wake a sleeping baby, you’re going to have a hard time getting them back to sleep.
Babies need a lot of soothing and a conducive environment to fall asleep, and if they’re woken up prematurely, it can be challenging to get them to settle down again.
5. You could frighten them
If you startle your baby awake, you could scare them. This can be traumatic for a baby, who is still learning about the world around them.
Think about how you feel when someone wakes you up suddenly – it’s disorienting and quite alarming. For a baby, who doesn’t understand what’s happening, it will be even more frightening.
6. They might not eat well
Any type of disruption to their regular routine can affect a baby’s appetite, and this includes waking them up from a nap. If you wake your baby up before they’re ready, they might not be interested in eating or drinking, which could lead to dehydration or malnourishment.
7. It could disrupt your routine
Waking up a sleeping baby could disrupt your own routine. If your baby is napping, that might be your only opportunity to get some housework done, take a shower, or just relax for a few minutes. If you wake them up, you’re sacrificing your own downtime for no good reason.
8. It’s probably unnecessary
Let’s be real, beyond your own personal desire to see your baby awake and alert, there are very few reasons to wake a baby up. Babies sleep a lot, and they’ll wake up when they’re ready. So, unless there’s an urgent need to wake them (such as a medical emergency), it’s best to let them sleep.
Final word
Treat others the way you’d like to be treated is my motto. This also applies to babies and their sleep. You’re likely familiar with how important sleep is for your own health and well-being, so why not give your baby the same courtesy?
By letting your baby sleep, you’ll be helping them grow and develop, and you’ll be giving yourself a break at the same time. Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of time to play with them as they get a little older and don’t need as much sleep.