Ashwin Lewis
Newborns tend to sleep a lot, with some babies sleeping for up to 16 to 18 hours a day. They sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and are very active in their sleep, moving around, making noises, and sometimes even opening their eyes. While it can be startling to see your newborn sleeping with their eyes open, it is actually quite common and is known as nocturnal lagophthalmos. In most cases, it is not something to be worried about, and most babies will outgrow it. However, if you are concerned, it is best to consult your pediatrician.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is it? | It is common for newborn babies to sleep with their eyes open. |
| Medical term | Nocturnal lagophthalmos |
| Cause | REM sleep patterns combined with a still-developing nervous system |
| Cause | Genetic factors |
| Cause | Birth abnormalities |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each. |
| Action required | If the baby's eyes seem dry or irritated, talk to a doctor. |
| Action required | It is safe to use sanitized fingertips to gently push the eyelids down once the baby is asleep. |
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What You'll Learn
It is normal for newborns to sleep with their eyes open
Newborns can be very active in their sleep, moving around, making noises, and sometimes even opening their eyes. This is known as active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep in adults. In fact, babies go through longer periods of REM sleep than adults, and eye movement is more common during this time. While it can be startling to see your baby sleeping with their eyes open, this is called nocturnal lagophthalmos and is usually nothing to worry about. In most cases, it has no underlying medical cause and is instead called physiological or psychological lagophthalmos.
However, in rare cases, a baby may not be able to close their eyelids due to a congenital abnormality, and surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. If you are concerned, it is always best to consult your paediatrician. They will be able to rule out any potential issues and provide advice and reassurance.
If your baby sleeping with their eyes open continues to bother you, it is safe to gently close their eyelids once they are fully asleep. You can also use a humidifier in their room to help prevent their eyes from drying out. Most babies will outgrow sleeping with their eyes open well before their first birthday, so this phase will not last forever!
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Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles
Newborns generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period and do not know the difference between day and night. They need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods. The first three months are an important time for both caregivers and newborns to learn how to feed and develop a routine together.
Sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, the newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.
Babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may have difficulty going back to sleep in the first few months. When a newborn awakens at the end of the sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase. This is when the baby is very still, but awake and taking in the environment. During the quiet alert time, babies may look or stare at objects, and respond to sounds and motion. This phase usually progresses to the active alert phase in which the baby is attentive to sounds and sights and moves actively. After this phase is a crying phase. The baby's body moves erratically, and they may cry loudly.
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Newborns go through two sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep
Newborns sleep a lot, with some babies sleeping for 16 to 18 hours each day, waking up only for short breaks to eat and have a diaper change. In the first three months, newborns cry a lot because they need help to feed, change or settle so they can get back to sleep.
Quiet sleep, or NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, is when the baby is still and does not make the same movements as in active sleep. Their breathing will be more even. Once a baby reaches around three months of age, they begin experiencing the same sleep stages that adults experience.
As a baby grows, their sleep cycles progress and they begin to spend less time in REM sleep. They also begin experiencing the three stages of NREM, instead of one. As a baby grows, their sleep cycle looks more and more like an adult's sleep cycle.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques may be hard to keep doing long-term, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep. These can create a negative sleep association for your newborn, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep. Using a sleep routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs, rather than trying to establish a strict sleeping routine, is important.
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Newborns need lots of REM sleep
It can be startling to see a newborn sleeping with their eyes open, but it's actually quite common and usually nothing to be worried about. This phenomenon is known as nocturnal lagophthalmos, and in babies, it typically occurs without any underlying medical cause and is referred to as physiological or psychological lagophthalmos.
Now, let's talk about why newborns need lots of REM sleep:
Newborns have different sleep patterns and behaviours compared to adults. They generally sleep for longer durations, ranging from 12 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, and their sleep cycles are shorter, typically lasting around 20 to 50 minutes. During the first few months, newborns may only experience two of the four sleep cycles, with about 50% of their sleep time spent in REM sleep. This means they could be getting up to 9 hours of REM sleep daily.
REM sleep is vital for a newborn's development. During this stage, neural connections go into overdrive, supporting the maturation of the central nervous system and playing a critical role in learning and memory consolidation. It helps with the development of long and short-term memory, as well as overall learning. The active nature of REM sleep can cause newborns to make noises, experience body movements, and even have irregular breathing patterns.
To ensure your newborn gets adequate sleep for proper development, it's important to create positive sleep associations and a routine that prioritises their feeding needs. While it may be unnerving to see your newborn sleeping with their eyes open, it's usually not something to worry about. However, if you notice any signs of dry or irritated eyes, it's best to consult a paediatrician.
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Newborns sleep for 12-16 hours a day
Newborns tend to sleep a lot, with some sleeping for up to 16 to 18 hours a day. They sleep in short bursts, with sleep cycles ranging from 20 to 50 minutes. During these short sleep cycles, newborns can be very active, moving around, making noises like grunts and cries, and even opening their eyes. This active sleep can be startling for new parents, especially when the baby appears to be staring back at them. However, it is important to know that this is normal and usually nothing to worry about.
The technical term for sleeping with eyes open is nocturnal lagophthalmos, and it is estimated that less than 2% of adults have this condition. In babies, nocturnal lagophthalmos is typically physiological lagophthalmos, meaning there is no underlying medical cause. It is often related to the combination of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep patterns and the still-developing nervous system. Babies go through longer periods of REM sleep than adults, and eye movement is more common during REM sleep for both adults and babies.
While nocturnal lagophthalmos in babies is usually harmless, it can lead to dry, puffy, or irritated eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is recommended to use a humidifier in the room to add moisture to the air. Additionally, if the condition bothers you, it is safe to gently close your baby's eyelids with sanitized fingertips once they are fully asleep.
It is important to note that in extremely rare cases, a baby may not be able to close their eyelids due to a congenital abnormality. If you suspect any issues or notice that your baby's eyes seem dry or irritated, consult a pediatrician. They can help rule out any potential medical conditions and provide guidance on promoting healthy sleep habits in your newborn.
Newborns do not have established sleep-wake rhythms and may not know the difference between day and night. Therefore, creating positive sleep associations and a consistent sleep routine is crucial. Prioritize your newborn's feeding needs and focus on developing a routine together during the first three months. Avoid creating negative sleep associations, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, as it may lead to them needing the same conditions to fall asleep in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is common for newborns to sleep with their eyes open or at least partially open. This phenomenon is called nocturnal lagophthalmos. In most cases, it is harmless and caused by a combination of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep patterns and a still-developing nervous system.
If your newborn is sleeping with their eyes open, you can use a humidifier to keep their eyes from drying out. You can also gently stroke their eyelids closed once they are fully asleep. If you are concerned, contact your pediatrician.
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 18 hours in a 24-hour period. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually 20 to 50 minutes long.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Avoid creating negative sleep associations, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, as this can lead to them needing you to fall asleep. Instead, establish a sleep routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs.
