Sleep Blog

Babies cry on planes for the same reasons they cry on the ground — hunger, fatigue, discomfort, or overstimulation. However, air travel introduces an additional challenge: changes in ear pressure. During takeoff and landing, cabin pressure shifts rapidly. Since infants have underdeveloped Eustachian tubes, which are responsible for balancing pressure in the ears, they’re more susceptible to ear discomfort or pain. Here are some effective strategies to help alleviate ear pressure for …

During ultrasound, a fetus can be seen exploring the uterine wall, touching the umbilical cords, touching its own hands and fingers together at the midline, touching its feet, abdomen, chest, nose, lips, ears, rubbing its eyelids, scratching its temples with its fingers, and sucking on its hands, fingers, or thumb.⁣ ⁣Just as adults learn from experience – these spontaneous movements are precursors for development of more important goal oriented behaviours and aids infant's neurological and motor …

Swaddling and the Moro ReflexSwaddling has a long history, but in short, it is an age-old practice of snugly wrapping babies in blankets or sheets to restrict their movement.It’s common for most babies (who are not swaddled to sleep) to wake up frequently during sleep from being disturbed by their own Moro reflex.The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, is an involuntary motor response that babies develop in the womb between 28-32 weeks of gestation and usually disappears when the baby is around 3-6 …

One of the most overwhelming aspects of parenting is sleep deprivation. Lack of proper sleep can take a toll on your well-being and put you at increased risk of illness and depression. As you struggle to cope with your baby's sleep patterns, don't forget to look after yourself. Here is how a little nap of your own can go a long way helping you cope and stay sane.You might think a 30 minute nap won't make much of a difference to your health, if you're only getting a couple of hours sleep each nig …

Unlike adults, babies sleep and wake in short bouts, at seemingly random times throughout day and night. They are also light sleepers, and are easily aroused from sleep.This is in part because babies have yet to develop strong circadian rhythms, which means they've yet to learn the difference between day and night. They also have tiny tummies and therefore need to wake frequently to feed.But there is another fundamental reason - a baby's sleep cycle is much shorter compared to that of an adult' …

Getting up in the middle of the night to feed or tend to your baby's need is a reality of parenting. And once you are done settling your baby, it can be often difficult to return back to sleep. Instead you may find yourself lying awake, worrying about getting back to sleep. Of course the ultimate goal is to get your child to eventually sleep through the night. And things will eventually get better. But in the meantime, here are some tips to help you get back to sleep from your middle of the nigh …

Ever wondered why we're most alert when the sun is shining and sleepy when it's dark outside? It's all thanks to our Circadian Rhythms (also known as our internal body clock) - an internal system that regulates our physical, mental, and behavioural changes over a 24-hour period. Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Circadian comes from "circa diem", Latin for "approximately a day". These approximately 24-hour cycles are found in most organisms, from humans to fruit flies, plants and even t …

Babies need a lot of sleep, as it promotes their physical and mental development. The pituitary gland releases growth hormones (key hormones that stimulate growth) throughout the day, but secretes at a much faster rate while babies sleep. That's why newborns need up to 16-18 hours of sleep every day, and wake every two or three hours only for feeding and changing. Hence, newborns tend to grow rapidly in their first five months, and most even double their weight by this time. As babies get older, …