Paediatricians Warn Parents Against Waking Sleeping Babies Unnecessarily

Paediatricians have warned parents against waking sleeping babies without a medical reason, saying frequent disruptions to a child’s natural sleep pattern may affect brain development and overall growth.

The specialists explained that while babies may not follow the same sleep schedule as their parents, forcing them to stay awake to fit family routines can be harmful.

They stressed that sleep is essential for healthy physical and mental development, especially during infancy.

Many parents wake their babies from evening naps to prevent them from staying awake late into the night.

However, experts say this practice can interfere with healthy sleep habits and reduce the quality of a child’s rest.

Consultant Paediatrician at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Aminu Mohammad, said infants generally need between 12 and 16 hours of sleep daily, with newborns requiring the most sleep.

He noted that sleep plays a vital role in brain development and helps support overall growth.
According to him, babies rely on their natural sleep-wake cycle, known as the circadian rhythm.

Disrupting this rhythm may affect their behaviour, alertness and development. He advised parents to ensure children get the recommended amount of sleep within a 24-hour period rather than focusing on specific sleeping times.

Mohammad warned that children who do not get enough sleep may become irritable, less active and less playful. Long-term sleep deprivation, he added, could affect feeding patterns, growth and developmental milestones.

Consultant Paediatrician Dr Ayodele Renner also advised parents to avoid unnecessary interruptions to a baby’s sleep.

He said research suggests that repeated sleep disruptions may affect brain development and increase the risk of sleep-related problems later in life.

Renner encouraged parents to let babies sleep naturally during the day while exposing them to daylight and normal household sounds.

According to him, this helps children gradually develop a healthy sleep routine and distinguish between day and night.

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