Tips for Growing Your Baby's Brain
Developed by Kevin Karpowicz, M.D., Schenectady, New York
Tip #8: Balance Your Patterns
Being upset will not help your baby become organized.
- Your new baby's first task in life is to become organized – to develop regular patterns. Then, they can begin to notice and respond to the world around them. Most important is for parents to be available and responsive when their baby is in the quiet alert state, because this is when babies will make many of the brain connections they will need in the future.
- But when parents are tired and out of step with a baby's sleep and wake patterns, they may not be available or feel like spending quiet comfortable time when their baby is ready. Also, if parents try to change a baby's patterns to match their own, the result is that baby will become more disorganized and fussy.
- Especially during the first 2 months, it's best for parents to change their own patterns as much as possible to match the baby.
- But there are a few things to try to get the baby more in step with the rest of the family. Some suggestions are:
- If you can, sleep when your baby sleeps.
- If your baby has been sleeping for more than 1 1/2 hours during the day and is lightly stirring, gentle waking can shorten the sleep cycle.
- Feeding can be delayed a little by giving the baby a change of scenery or a different activity, such as rocking or being in a stroller.
- Don't upset your baby by delaying a feeding if he is really crying.
- A calm baby who is developing internal rhythms, who can look out at the world with a loving adult each day is a baby who is making millions of brain connections that can form the beginnings of good self-esteem and confidence.
