Colin Snow
Newborns spend up to 18 hours sleeping, and it is during this time that their bodies produce and release human growth hormone (HGH) in larger quantities. This hormone is responsible for the growth spurts that newborns experience, and it is released during the third stage of non-REM sleep, which newborns experience for 50% of their sleeping time. Therefore, newborns grow in their sleep, and their sleep patterns are linked to their growth spurts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do newborns grow in their sleep? | Yes |
| How much do newborns sleep? | 16-20 hours a day |
| How does sleep affect growth? | Sleep stimulates the secretion of growth hormones, which may contribute to growth spurts |
| What type of sleep is important for growth? | Non-REM sleep, specifically the third stage of non-REM sleep, is when the body repairs and regrows tissues, builds muscle and bone, and strengthens the immune system |
| Do babies sleep more during growth spurts? | Yes, babies tend to sleep more and take more frequent naps during growth spurts |
| How much more likely is a growth spurt with extra sleep? | An extra nap increases the likelihood of a growth spurt by 43%, and each additional hour of sleep increases the likelihood by 20% |
| Are there differences in sleep patterns between boys and girls? | Boys tend to have longer sleep bouts, while girls have more sleep bouts |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns spend half their sleep in non-REM sleep, producing more human growth hormone
- Longer sleep corresponds with greater growth in body length
- Sleep is a contributing factor to growth spurts at the biological level
- Breastfed babies sleep for shorter periods but more frequently
- Newborns sleep for up to 18 hours a day, dropping to 11-12 hours by age 4
Newborns spend half their sleep in non-REM sleep, producing more human growth hormone
Newborns spend half of their sleep in non-REM sleep, which is crucial for the production and release of human growth hormone. This hormone is responsible for the frequent growth spurts observed in newborns and children, right up until they reach their teenage years. The release of this hormone during sleep can lead to growing pains, particularly due to bone growth and aching limbs, which may cause babies to wake up crying.
Sleep biology experts have found that newborns experience two distinct sleep cycles, with 50% of their sleep being non-REM sleep and the other 50% being REM sleep. This is in contrast to adults, who only spend about 20% of their sleep in the REM stage. As newborns progress towards the age of three months, they begin to experience the same four distinct sleep cycles as adults and gradually reduce the time spent in REM sleep.
The highest concentration of human growth hormone is released during the third stage of non-REM sleep. This stage is vital for tissue repair and regeneration, muscle and bone growth, and strengthening the immune system. Both non-REM and REM sleep play critical roles in a child's development, with REM sleep being particularly important for healthy brain development and stimulating essential learning areas of the brain.
The link between sleep and growth in newborns has been observed in various studies. One study found that longer sleep durations and more frequent naps were associated with significant increases in body length. Another study supported these findings, showing that each additional sleep episode increased the likelihood of a growth spurt by 43%, while each extra hour of sleep increased the probability by 20%. These studies highlight the significant influence of sleep on newborn growth spurts, providing valuable insights for parents to understand their infant's behaviour and patterns.
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Longer sleep corresponds with greater growth in body length
The relationship between sleep and growth in newborns has been a topic of interest for researchers and parents alike. While the exact nature of this relationship is not fully understood, studies have indicated a positive correlation between longer sleep duration and greater growth in body length in infants.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers published a study in May 2024 that provided new insights into this relationship. The study found that increased bursts of sleep among infants were significantly associated with growth spurts in body length. Specifically, for each additional sleep episode, the probability of a growth spurt increased by 43%, and for each additional hour of sleep, the likelihood of a growth spurt increased by 20%.
These findings align with previous research suggesting that sleep plays a crucial role in infant growth. During sleep, newborns experience two distinct sleep cycles, with 50% of their sleep in the non-REM state and the other 50% in REM sleep. Non-REM sleep is particularly important for the release of human growth hormone (HGH), which is essential for tissue repair, muscle and bone growth, and immune system strengthening. As such, longer sleep durations provide more time for these growth and repair processes to occur, contributing to greater growth in body length.
Furthermore, the study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine also observed differences in sleep patterns and growth between infant boys and girls. Boys experienced more frequent, short-duration daily sleep bouts compared to girls. Interestingly, growing boys tended to have longer sleep bouts, while growing girls had more sleep bouts. These findings highlight the complex interplay between sleep and growth biology, which may involve various physiological mechanisms and hormonal signals.
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Sleep is a contributing factor to growth spurts at the biological level
Sleep is essential for the proper functioning and health of our bodies. Newborns spend up to 18 hours sleeping compared to adults, who require at least 7 hours of sleep. Newborns experience two distinct sleep cycles, with 50% of their sleep being non-REM sleep and the other 50% being REM sleep. During the non-REM sleep stage, the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds muscle and bone, and strengthens the immune system.
The secretion of growth hormones, which stimulate bone growth, increases after sleep onset and during slow-wave sleep. This change in hormonal signals during sleep can cause growing pains, which may explain why babies suddenly wake up crying in the middle of the night. The strength of a growth spurt is based on daily sleep patterns, such as how long the baby sleeps and how often they nap. With longer sleep duration and more naps, growth spurts increase, affecting the child's physical comfort.
Studies have shown that infants experience measurable growth spurts in body length within 48 hours of increased sleep duration and number of sleep episodes. Longer sleep corresponds with greater growth in body length. For example, boys tend to experience longer sleep bouts, while girls have more sleep bouts. The probability of a growth spurt increases by 43% for each additional sleep episode and 20% for each additional hour of sleep.
Thus, sleep is a contributing factor to growth spurts at the biological level. While the exact nature of the relationship between sleep and bone growth is not fully understood, it is clear that sleep plays a crucial role in the growth and development of newborns.
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Breastfed babies sleep for shorter periods but more frequently
Breastfed babies have distinct feeding and sleeping patterns. They need to feed frequently over a 24-hour period to grow and thrive. Breast milk is quickly digested and metabolised, so breastfed babies will feel hungry again sooner than formula-fed babies. As a result, they tend to sleep for shorter periods but more frequently.
Breast milk is also more easily digestible than formula, so breastfed babies are likely to wake up more frequently as they will get hungrier faster. However, the melatonin in breast milk will help them fall back to sleep easily after feeding. Breastfed newborns' longest sleep periods are generally 2–3 hours, which is about how long their small bellies can go between feedings.
Breastfed babies' sleep patterns can be challenging for mothers who are keen to have a predictable daily routine and expect their baby to fit into a schedule. However, it's important to remember that breastfeeding is not meant to be based on timing but rather on what the baby is communicating.
Additionally, the prolactin levels in breastfeeding women are much higher at night, especially in the early morning hours, leading to more milk. So, while breastfed babies may sleep for shorter periods, breastfeeding mothers may find it easier to fall back to sleep and may even get slightly more sleep overall.
Finally, it's worth noting that sleep is critical for a baby's health and growth. Studies indicate that babies undergo measurable growth when they are asleep. This is because their bodies produce human growth hormone (HGH) in larger quantities during sleep, supporting their frequent growth spurts.
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Newborns sleep for up to 18 hours a day, dropping to 11-12 hours by age 4
Newborns experience two distinct sleep cycles, with 50% of their sleep being REM sleep and the other 50% being non-REM sleep. During the non-REM sleep cycle, the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds muscle and bone, and strengthens the immune system. The release of the human growth hormone (HGH) also occurs during this cycle, which supports the baby's frequent growth spurts.
As babies grow older, they start to experience the same four distinct sleep cycles as adults, spending less time in REM sleep and more time in non-REM sleep. Adults only spend about 20% of their time in REM sleep. The maturation of the sleep/wake cycle continues to develop over the first six months, with significant variation between individuals.
The link between sleep and growth in infants has been studied extensively. One study found that longer sleep corresponds with greater growth in body length. Another study found that infants had irregular bursts of sleep, with 24-hour sleep duration increasing by an average of 4.5 hours per day for two days, resulting in measurable growth spurts in body length within 48 hours. The probability of a growth spurt increased by 43% for each additional sleep episode and 20% for each additional hour of sleep.
Breastfeeding and infant sex also seem to play a role in sleep patterns and growth. Boys tend to have longer sleep bouts, while girls have more sleep bouts. Breastfeeding was associated with more frequent, short-duration sleep bouts.
The exact nature of the relationship between sleep and growth is still not fully understood, but the available research and studies indicate a strong connection between the two.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, studies indicate that newborns undergo measurable growth when they are asleep.
Newborns spend from 16 to 20 hours asleep each day.
When babies sleep, their bodies start producing human growth hormone (HGH) in larger quantities. The highest concentration of HGH is released during the third stage of non-REM sleep, which is critical for tissue repair, muscle and
