Miya Pearson
Newborns sleep a lot—up to 18 or 19 hours a day—but they wake up every few hours to eat. This can be stressful for parents, who may be sleep-deprived and wondering how to get their baby to sleep better. While there are no tricks to speed up a newborn's understanding of the difference between night and day, there are some things you can do to encourage healthy sleep habits. For example, it's recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months, but in their own crib or bassinet. It's also important to place babies on their back to sleep, as this reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hours of sleep over a 24-hour period | 14-17 hours (National Sleep Foundation) |
| Number of hours of sleep for some newborns | 18-19 hours |
| Feeding frequency | Every 2-3 hours (breastfed babies), every 3-4 hours (bottle-fed babies) |
| Safe sleeping position | On their back (supine position) |
| Safe sleeping surface | Firm, flat, and level |
| Safe sleeping environment | No bed-sharing, room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep surfaces for newborns
Newborns require 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18 to 19 hours a day. Ensuring a safe sleep surface for newborns is crucial to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation. Here are some guidelines for creating a safe sleep environment for newborns:
Room-Sharing without Bed-Sharing:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. While room-sharing is safe, putting your infant to sleep in the same bed as you is not advised. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. It is recommended to place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery. This arrangement facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night.
Sleep Position:
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, rather than on their stomach or side. Sleeping on the back, also known as the supine position, significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. It is important to make this a routine, as babies who are usually placed on their backs but are occasionally placed on their fronts or sides have a higher risk of SIDS. Once your baby can independently move from their back to their front and vice versa, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.
Sleep Surface:
The sleep surface for your baby should be firm, flat, and level. Sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other are unsafe, as the baby's body can slide down, causing their head to slump forward and obstructing their breathing. This position can lead to positional asphyxia. Similarly, sleep surfaces that elevate both the baby's head and feet, like a hammock, also increase the risk of positional asphyxia. The crib should be free of any items such as toys or soft bedding that could cover the baby's face and hinder their breathing.
Approved Products:
Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products you use for your baby's sleep have been approved by the relevant consumer product safety organizations, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Avoid using products like weighted blankets, sleepers, swaddles, crib bumpers, and inclined sleepers, as these can be dangerous for infants.
In summary, to create a safe sleep environment for newborns, it is recommended to practice room-sharing without bed-sharing, always place your baby on their back to sleep, and provide a firm, flat, and level sleep surface free of any potential hazards. By following these guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related dangers.
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Crib safety
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has outlined several guidelines to ensure the safety of your baby's crib. Here are some key considerations:
Crib Selection
- Opt for a new crib that meets the latest safety standards. If you're considering a secondhand crib, ensure it's not more than 10 years old and complies with current standards.
- Choose a crib with fixed, non-drop-side rails. The CPSC banned drop-side rails due to safety concerns.
- Ensure the crib bars or slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches (about 6 centimetres) apart to prevent your baby from falling out or getting trapped.
- Check the crib for any missing, loose, or broken hardware, such as screws, brackets, or slats. These can pose serious safety hazards and should be addressed immediately.
- Select a firm, tight-fitting, and durable mattress. Avoid soft mattresses, as they may increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The mattress should quickly return to its original shape when pressed.
- Ensure the mattress fits snugly in the crib to prevent your baby from slipping between the mattress and the crib sides.
Sleep Environment
- Place your baby on their back to sleep in the crib. This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Keep the crib clear of any items that could pose a suffocation hazard, such as pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, or stuffed toys.
- Use a fitted bottom sheet specifically designed for crib use, and consider using a sleeper instead of a blanket. If using a blanket, tuck it around the crib mattress, covering your baby only up to their chest.
- Do not place the crib near windows, drapes, or blind cords to prevent entanglement or falling hazards.
- Ensure your baby's sleepwear and sheets are made from flame-retardant materials.
- Avoid bed-sharing with your infant. Instead, opt for room-sharing, where your baby sleeps in a crib or bassinet in your bedroom. This arrangement reduces the risk of SIDS and makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring easier.
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Room-sharing vs bed-sharing
Newborns should always be placed to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress or other firm sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet. Research shows that room-sharing without bed-sharing is the safest option for newborns.
Room-sharing is when your baby has their own separate sleeping space, such as a bassinet, crib, or play yard, in the same room as their parent(s). Bed-sharing, on the other hand, is when a baby shares a sleeping space with another person or a pet. Bed-sharing can increase the risk of sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and is not recommended.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep in their parents' room, but not in the same bed, for the first 6 months, and ideally for the first year. This arrangement can help reduce the risk of SIDS. However, it's important to note that room-sharing may result in less nighttime sleep and more night wakings for both infants and parents.
Some studies suggest that room-sharing beyond 4 months of age can increase the likelihood of bed-sharing during the night, as well as the presence of pillows, blankets, and other unsafe sleeping materials. It can also contribute to sleep deprivation for the whole family, which can lead to issues such as poor bonding, marital struggles, and postpartum depression.
The decision to transition your baby to their own room should be based on what works best for your family. Some babies may benefit from a gradual transition, starting with partial nights in their own room. It's important to prioritize safe sleep practices, such as placing your baby on their back, removing soft and loose items from the sleeping area, and ensuring that all sleep products meet federal safety standards.
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Safe sleeping positions
When it comes to safe sleeping positions for newborns, there are several guidelines and recommendations to follow. Here are some key points to ensure a safe sleeping environment for your baby:
Room-Sharing Without Bed-Sharing
It is recommended to practice room-sharing without bed-sharing. This means keeping your newborn in the same room as you, but not in the same bed. Room-sharing can be done by placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom. This arrangement facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night, while also reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related dangers like suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.
Sleep on a Firm, Flat, and Level Surface
Always ensure that your baby sleeps on a firm, flat, and level surface, such as a crib with a fitted sheet and a firm, waterproof mattress. Surfaces with one end higher than the other or those that elevate both the head and feet, like a hammock, are not safe. These inclined surfaces can cause positional asphyxia, where the baby's body position obstructs their breathing. A flat and firm surface helps to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.
Back Sleeping Position
The recommended sleeping position for newborns is on their back, known as the supine position. This position is advised for every sleep, day and night, from the very first day. Sleeping a baby on their front or side increases the risk of SIDS. Once your baby can independently move from their back to their front and vice versa, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.
Keep the Sleep Area Clear
Maintain a clear sleep area by removing items such as toys, pillows, blankets, and crib bumpers that could cover your baby's face or impede their breathing. The sleep area should be free of any potential hazards that could lead to suffocation or strangulation.
Avoid Soft Surfaces
Avoid letting your baby sleep on soft surfaces, such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, adult mattresses, quilts, or sheepskins. Research indicates that babies sleeping on top of soft surfaces or with soft items are at a higher risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Always prioritize a firm and flat surface for your baby's sleep.
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How much sleep does a newborn need
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may even sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. They do not have a sense of day and night and hence, do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less frequently, about every 3-4 hours.
Newborns should be placed on their backs to sleep, on a firm, flat, and level surface, free of soft toys, blankets, pillows, and bumpers. This is because newborns who sleep on soft surfaces are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths. Sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other are not safe for babies to sleep on because the baby's body can slide down and their head can slump forward, causing positional asphyxia.
During the first few weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share, which is when a baby's crib or bassinet is placed in the parents' bedroom instead of in a separate nursery. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as it reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. It also makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring the baby easier.
It is important to note that the amount of sleep a baby needs is unique to them and is based on their age and other factors. While it is common for newborns to sleep a lot during the day, the range of what is normal is quite wide.
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Frequently asked questions
No, newborns should sleep on a flat surface. Sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other are not safe for babies to sleep on as their body can slide down and their head can slump forward, causing positional asphyxia.
The safest way for a newborn to sleep is on their back on a flat, firm, and waterproof mattress. This sleeping position is known as the supine position and is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Keep the cot clear of items such as toys that could cover their face and keep their airways clear. For the first six months, they should sleep in the same room as you but not in the same bed to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.
There are no products that can guarantee better sleep for your newborn. In fact, some popular baby products like baby nests, inclined sleepers, and crib bumpers can be dangerous for infants. Always check that any sleep products you use have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
