Baby lag refers to the disruption in a baby's sleep patterns that can occur when traveling to a different time zone. Just like adults can experience jet lag when traveling long distances, babies can also have difficulty adjusting to a new schedule.

The arrival of a baby in the family unit causes all kinds of changes; from physical changes in the pregnant woman, to changes in habits and routines in the couple, and, above all, parents may experience changes in their mood.

In the first months of life, the baby spends most of the time sleeping, waking up every two or three hours to eat. This dependency on adults can be an exhausting routine for parents, especially at night, when the baby keeps waking up every now and then to eat, preventing the parents from getting a good night's sleep.

This lack of sleep that parents experience while caring for their baby is known as "baby lag," a term adapted from the English term used to describe the imbalance between the internal clock and time zones caused by airplane travel, "jet lag."

We can establish that lack of sleep occurs when one does not sleep more than six and a half hours per night for a long period of time, at least several consecutive weeks.

Effects of Baby Lag

According to scientist Banerjee, when parents wake up several times during the night, they rarely enter the final phase of deep sleep, which denies their bodies the opportunity to recharge and prepare for the next day.

Not getting enough rest affects reflexes, significantly reducing reaction time. Another major impact of lack of sleep is on problem-solving ability, concentration, and memory, which is why many mothers experience some memory loss after childbirth and during the first few months of the baby's life.

The extreme fatigue experienced by new parents leads to a high level of nervousness and irritability, but it is important to note that all these issues will improve as the baby requires less attention from the parents and they achieve optimal and restorative rest.

How to Combat Baby Lag

To avoid or combat baby lag, it is recommended to follow some guidelines:

• Practicing co-sleeping with the newborn facilitates the baby's feeding and promotes the mother's rest
• Take turns with your partner to attend to the baby; have one member of the couple take care of the baby each night, or if the baby wakes up several times, take turns attending to the baby each time to achieve longer sleep cycles
• Try to sleep when the baby sleeps, not only at night but also during the day
• Start establishing sleep routines early so the baby gets used to them as soon as possible; bath, dinner, and bedtime!
• Create a relaxed and noise-free environment that can disturb sleep
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals before bedtime
• Try to go to bed at the same time as the baby

Do you experience Baby Lag? What do you do to combat it?