Why is sleep important?
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A lot of things are required in the growth and development of children. Play and sleep form an important role in this process.
The environment in which a baby grows is important in facilitating the growth, development, and movement of the babies so that they develop the essential skills in life.
Babies sleep about 12-16 hours per day. During sleep, when the body is at rest, the blood supply is increased to the muscles, the growth and repair of tissues occur, energy is restored and hormones for growth and development are released.
Essentially, sleep is important for the growth and development of the baby.
A baby who has slept adequately is growing well because their muscles are well-rested, repaired and strengthened for other activities that contribute to their growth and development.
It is therefore important for the baby to sleep in a safe environment.
A safe sleeping environment ensures that the baby can have enough sleep.
This is important because it helps in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which can also be called Cot Deaths.
A safe place considers the surface on which the baby sleeps, the position they take in sleep, a quiet and peaceful place among other factors.
So how do you choose or create a safe place for the baby to sleep in?
This can be a confusing issue, especially for new parents.
Babies can be very demanding in their requirements for safety and comfort.
Some babies have a difficult time falling asleep and sometimes, depending on how tired they are, they may sleep while playing in their playpen.
How do you choose a playpen?
A playpen is an important area since it is a place that is safe for the babies to play in.
Play is an essential aspect of brain development.
During play, babies get to be creative while developing in their physical, emotional and cognitive strength.
It is also through play that children interact and engage in the environment around them.
A playpen is a space that is safe in which the baby gets to play.
Over time, the designs of playpens have evolved in their design and sizes.
The design one chooses is dependent on the needs and budget of a parent among other factors.
A regular playpen has features like mesh sides which allows you to keep an eye on the baby while at the same time provide the baby with enough ventilation as well as wheels for easy movement.
A pouch for storage of toys, clothes, and blankets can be included in the design.
This can also double as an organizer for the parent for things like tissue, wipes, and diapers for ease of access.
A toy bar is also included in the basic design as it is what holds the soft toys that amuse and excite the baby.
As babies grow through play, they may continually fall during play.
The playpen, therefore, needs to be padded so that your baby has a soft landing place and no injuries are incurred during these falls.
The padding of at least ¾ inches is recommended to keep the baby safe in the play area.
The top rails also need to be padded using durable material.
This is especially for teething babies.
Playpens also come with a changing area as well as a bassinet.
A changing area is a detachable changing table that helps you to easily change the baby during playtime without having to shuttle in between rooms.
The bassinet creates a sleeping area for the baby and the baby can easily sleep here in case they fall asleep during play or during nap time.
For comfort, since most playpens do not come with fitted sheets, you might need to buy some extra sheets to have a safe and hygienic place for your baby to play as they grow and develop.
Other very important features to look for when choosing a playpen are that it needs to be built strongly, steady and in a way it cannot be easily tipped or lifted.
A gate is essential so that you won’t have to lift the baby over the sides but it should be too hard for the baby to open.
It also needs to be at least 50 cm high so that the baby does not climb or fall out of it.
Avoid playpens that have small and movable parts that can be swallowed or inhaled.
They also need not have sharp corners and points that can harm your baby or rotating parts that can injure the baby.
A safe playpen should not have gaps and openings that can trap the baby’s head, limbs, or even the head.
It should not have footholds that can help the baby to climb out of the playpen.
Can a baby sleep in the playpen at night?
Your baby may fall asleep during playtime.
The bassinet serves as a good place to lay the baby to rest in their sleep and since you have your eye in the playpen during this time, then it becomes a place that is safe for the baby to sleep during the day.
This then raises a question on whether the playpen can be a place that is safe for the baby to sleep on at night.
The general rule for safe sleeping space for a baby is that the sleeping surface should be firm and should not sink or dent as the baby is lying on it.
The mattress should be fitting snugly, firm with a fitted bedsheet designed particularly for it.
It should also have enough room for the baby to move in their sleep and raised sides to keep the baby in.
It should be clear of all clutter so that you only have the baby sleeping in there.
The presence of a detachable bassinet coming with the playpen creates this safe space for the baby to sleep in.
However, should you want the baby to sleep in the play area during the night, you should make it safe for the baby by ensuring that a firm mattress and fitted sheets are placed in it and the space de-cluttered of toys.