Understanding Newborn Sleep: Do They Experience Rem Sleep?

Newborns sleep a lot—up to 18 hours a day—but they don't know the difference between day and night. Their sleep is divided into two types: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is a light sleep when dreams occur, and the eyes move rapidly. Newborns spend about half their sleep time—up to nine hours a day—in this state. Non-REM sleep is deeper and divided into four stages, from drowsiness to very deep sleep. As babies grow, they spend less time in REM sleep and more time in the deeper stages of non-REM sleep.

Newborns sleep up to 18 hours a day

Newborns sleep in cycles that consist of two types of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move around, with jerking, twitching, or sucking motions. They may also groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. In quiet sleep, newborns lie relatively still and breathe evenly.

Newborns spend close to equal amounts of time in active sleep and quiet sleep, which are also known as REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep, respectively. In REM sleep, a newborn's eyes move rapidly, and they may experience dreams. In non-REM sleep, newborns progress through four stages of sleep, from drowsiness to very deep sleep.

As newborns grow, their sleep patterns and cycles change. By three months of age, they start to develop night and day sleep patterns, sleeping more during the night. By six months, babies sleep an average of about 13 hours each day, with longer blocks of sleep.

REM and non-REM sleep

Newborns have two types of sleep: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, also known as "active sleep", newborns enter a state of light sleep where dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly. They may also make small movements, such as twitching or sucking, and their breathing may become faster. In contrast, during non-REM sleep, or "quiet sleep", newborns lie relatively still and breathe evenly.

The sleep cycles of newborns consist of alternating periods of REM and non-REM sleep. These cycles typically last around 20 to 50 minutes, and newborns may wake up between cycles. During the first few months of life, newborns spend about equal amounts of time in REM and non-REM sleep, with their sleep being divided into short periods throughout the day and night. As newborns grow older, their sleep patterns start to change. They begin to sleep for longer periods at night and experience a decrease in REM sleep, gradually transitioning towards the adult sleep pattern of four distinct stages.

Non-REM sleep in newborns is further divided into four stages. The first stage is characterised by drowsiness, with eyes drooping and occasionally opening and closing. In the second stage, newborns enter a light sleep and may startle or jump in response to sounds. The third and fourth stages are deep sleep periods where the baby remains quiet and still. During the first few months, newborns typically progress through these stages in order, from stage one to REM sleep, and then cycle back through stage two, three, and finally, a brief period of stage four sleep.

Understanding the sleep patterns of newborns can help parents maximise their child's sleep and make the most of their waking hours. It is important to note that newborns do not have established sleep-wake rhythms and may need help getting back to sleep after waking up between cycles. Additionally, newborns have different alert phases when they are awake, ranging from quiet alertness to active alertness, and eventually progressing to a crying phase if they are not calmed or fed.

Sleep cycles

Sleep plays a crucial role in a baby's cognitive development, and understanding their sleep cycles can help parents promote healthy sleep habits. Newborns sleep for up to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, with their sleep consisting of two main stages: REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep.

REM Sleep

REM sleep, often called "active sleep," is characterised by the baby's eyes moving rapidly underneath closed eyelids. During this stage, babies may make small movements, such as twitching or sucking, and their breathing may speed up. They may also move their mouths. Dreams occur during REM sleep, and babies spend about half of their total sleep time in this stage.

Non-REM Sleep

Non-REM sleep, or "quiet sleep," is when the baby is still and does not make the movements associated with REM sleep. Non-REM sleep has four stages:

• Drowsiness: The baby's eyes droop, and they may open and close them.
• Light Sleep: The baby moves and may startle or jump at sounds.
• Deep Sleep: The baby is quiet and does not move.
• Very Deep Sleep: The baby remains quiet and motionless.

Newborns cycle between REM and non-REM sleep approximately evenly, with sleep cycles lasting around 20 to 50 minutes. It is normal for newborns to wake up between sleep cycles, and they may need help getting back to sleep. As babies grow older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back asleep.

By three months of age, babies start experiencing the same four sleep stages as adults, but it is not until around five years old that their sleep architecture, or the time spent in each sleep stage, resembles that of adults.

Understanding these sleep cycles can help parents better understand their baby's sleep patterns and make adjustments to promote healthy sleep habits.

Alert phases

Newborns have different alert phases during their sleep cycles. When a newborn awakens at the end of a sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase. During this time, the baby is very still but awake and taking in their environment. They may look at objects and respond to sounds and motion.

This phase usually moves into an active alert phase, where the baby is more attentive to sounds and sights and moves more actively. After this period of active alertness, the baby enters a crying phase. Their body moves erratically, and they may cry loudly. It is easy to overstimulate a baby during the crying phase, so it is usually best to find a way to calm them down. Holding them close or swaddling them in a blanket may help. They are unlikely to respond to the same stimuli as when they are actively alert.

It is usually best to feed babies before they reach the crying phase. When in the crying period, they can be so upset that they refuse food. In newborns, crying is a late sign of hunger.

Sleep training

Understanding Baby Sleep

Before beginning sleep training, it is important to understand the sleep patterns and needs of newborns. Newborns typically sleep for up to 18 hours a day in short bursts, with no established sleep-wake rhythms. They move through active and quiet sleep in cycles that last about 20 to 50 minutes. Active sleep, or REM sleep, involves small movements, twitching, and rapid eye movement, while quiet sleep, or non-REM sleep, is characterised by stillness and even breathing.

Creating a Sleep Schedule

Although newborns don't initially follow a set schedule, you can start to establish a sleep routine. Expose your baby to light and gentle play during the day and provide a dim and quiet environment at night. This will help them learn the difference between day and night. Most babies start to develop these patterns by around three months of age.

Recognising Sleep Readiness

It is important to put your baby to bed when they are sleepy but still awake. This helps them learn how to fall asleep on their own. Signs of sleep readiness include yawning, rubbing eyes, and fussiness. Establishing a bedtime routine with activities like reading or playing soft music can also help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.

Self-Soothing Techniques

Encourage your baby to self-soothe by responding to their tired signs and using positive and consistent routines. Avoid creating negative sleep associations, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, as this can make them dependent on you to fall asleep. Instead, use techniques like swaddling or playing soft music to help them settle.

Safe Sleep Practices

Always follow safe sleep practices for newborns. Place your baby on their back on a firm mattress in a crib that meets safety standards. Remove any soft objects, loose bedding, or blankets that could pose a risk of suffocation. Keep the room temperature comfortable, and avoid overbundling to prevent overheating.

Remember, sleep training takes time and consistency. Each baby is unique, so be patient and adjust your techniques as needed to find what works best for your little one.

Frequently asked questions