Sleep and Crying

Question 1

Rapid-eye movement sleep

Answer 1

• Brain activity similar to those of waking state
• Uneven heart rate, blood pressure and breathing + slight body movements

Question 2

Non-rapid-eye movement sleepq

Answer 2

• Deep sleep
• Almost motionless body
• Even and slow brain activity, heartrate and breathing

Question 3

Does infants alternate between REM and NREM sleep?

Answer 3

• Yes they do
• Newborns 50% of sleep in REM, brain development
• At age 3-5 20% REM sleep

Question 4

Why is it important for infants to stay in REM sleep?

Answer 4

• Babies probably dont dream, REM associated with growth of central nervous system
• Disrupted REM-NREM cycles associated with:
  Behaviorally disorganized, difficulty in interacting with others
  Delayed cognitive, language and motor development - Learning Difficulties
  Risk of sudden infant death syndrom

Question 5

Why does babies cry?

Answer 5

• To mainly express needs and communicate
  Hungry, comfort and stimulation
• First way of communicating
• Increases till 6 weeks, then gets better
• Offers clues to CNS distress
• Cries in babies with brain damages and those with birth complications are sharp, piercing and shorter in duration

Question 6

Parent child Interaction - Crying

Answer 6

• Stimulate discomfort in parents
• Ensure care and protection, important for survival
• With experience parents can differentiate cries and their needs
• Influence attitudes and interactions
  Alot of crying - stress - frustration with child
• “Colicy” children

Question 7

Different ways of soothing cries

Answer 7

• Check basic needs first
• Different cultures have different ways of soothing children
• Talk softly
• Swaddle
• Pacifier
• Hold them
• Ride in something for awhile
• Let them cry for short time