Miya Pearson
Sleep is important for a baby's growth and development. In the womb, babies spend most of their time sleeping, with studies showing that they sleep for 90-95% of the day. However, there is limited knowledge about sleep during early foetal development, with most studies relying on examining rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is observed around the seventh month of foetal development. During the third trimester, babies are awake for 2-3 hours a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time sleeping in the womb | 90-95% |
| Sleep cycle length | 40 minutes |
| Sleep cycle composition | REM sleep and non-REM sleep |
| REM sleep composition | Rapid eye movement, raised heart rate, raised blood pressure, raised breathing rate |
| Non-REM sleep composition | Deep sleep |
| Sleep patterns | Affected by light and dark from 4-8 weeks old |
| Sleep patterns | Affected by feeding schedule in newborn babies |
| Sleep patterns | Affected by brain growth rate in newborn babies |
| Sleep patterns | Affected by light and dark in babies aged 3-6 months |
| Sleep duration | 11-19 hours a day for newborn babies |
| Sleep duration | 10-18 hours a day for babies aged 3-6 months |
| Sleep duration | 10-16 hours a day for babies aged 6-12 months |
| Sleep duration | 9-15 hours a day for babies over 12 months |
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What You'll Learn
Fetal sleep in the third trimester
The third trimester of pregnancy is a period of rapid growth for the baby and can be the most challenging stage for the mother in terms of sleep. During this time, the baby spends most of its time asleep, and its movements are strong and coordinated.
It is estimated that babies in the third trimester sleep for 90-95% of the day, or 22-23 hours. This is because they are still receiving their nutrients through the umbilical cord and do not need to wake up for feeding.
Sleep Patterns in the Third Trimester
Babies in the third trimester alternate between non-REM and REM sleep. During REM sleep, the rate of breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate increase, and the baby may even dream. This happens approximately every 30 minutes.
Factors Affecting Fetal Sleep
Mother's Movements
The movement of the mother during the day rocks the baby to sleep in the womb. The baby feels cosy and warm, and the gentle rocking motion puts them to sleep.
White Noise
The only noise a baby can hear inside the womb is a mix of the rush of blood, amniotic fluid, and the mother's heartbeat, known as white noise, which is very comforting and soothing for the baby.
Vibrations and Soft Sounds
The white noise, along with the mother's muffled, soft voice, sends vibrations to the womb, calming the baby and sending them to sleep.
Food Consumption
A mother's diet also plays a role in the baby's sleep. The consumption of sugar and caffeine can disrupt the baby's sleep, while a balanced diet helps the baby relax and sleep better.
Maternal Sleep in the Third Trimester
The third trimester is often the most difficult stage of pregnancy for the mother, with various factors contributing to sleep disturbances.
Back Pain and Discomfort
The weight of the growing fetus and the softening of ligaments around the pelvic bones can cause back pain and sore muscles, making it challenging to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Frequent Urination
The pressure of the uterus on the bladder leads to frequent urination, disrupting sleep.
Leg Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome are common during the third trimester, affecting about 15-26% of pregnant women. The discomfort can make it challenging to fall asleep and may awaken them multiple times during the night.
Heartburn
As the digestive system slows down, many pregnant women experience heartburn, which can be aggravated by certain foods and sleeping positions.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is common during pregnancy due to factors such as a stuffy nose and the uterus pressing against the diaphragm. Snoring can lead to sleep apnea, which is associated with health risks for both the mother and the baby.
Tips for Better Maternal Sleep in the Third Trimester
To improve sleep during the third trimester, mothers can try:
- Sleeping on their left side with pillows for support
- Reducing fluid intake in the evening
- Limiting caffeine and spicy, fried, or acidic foods
- Doing light stretching or gentle exercises
- Meditating or practising deep breathing techniques
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REM sleep
During REM sleep, a person's breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate increase, and brain waves are similar to those of someone who is awake. In adults, REM sleep is accompanied by muscle inhibition, which prevents movement. However, it is believed that fetuses do not experience this muscle inhibition and therefore move a lot during their REM sleep.
Fetuses spend most of their time sleeping, with a sleep cycle of about 40 minutes. They tend to alternate between non-REM and REM sleep, with REM sleep occurring about 90 minutes into the cycle.
In the third trimester, fetuses are awake for about 2-3 hours a day. During this time, they may twitch their arms and legs and flutter their eyes under their eyelids. They can be easily woken from REM sleep, and as they grow, they will have less active sleep and more deep sleep.
Studies have shown that babies who slept more in the womb had better sleep patterns after birth. Additionally, REM sleep helps babies process their environment and stimulates brain activity and development.
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Non-REM sleep
- Drowsiness: The first stage of the sleep cycle, where the person starts to feel drowsy and may open and close their eyes.
- Light sleep: The person is easily woken and may startle or jump at sounds.
- Deep sleep: The person is quiet and does not move.
- Very deep sleep: The person is still and does not move.
Fetuses spend more time in non-REM sleep as they get older. During the third trimester, they alternate between non-REM and REM sleep, with the former occurring approximately every half an hour.
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Sleep patterns in the first year
The first year of a baby's life involves a lot of changes and developments, and their sleep patterns are no exception. Here's what you can expect during those critical first 12 months:
Newborn to 8 weeks
Newborns tend to sleep on and off throughout the day and night, with their sleep cycles dominated by 'active' sleep. The total amount of sleep varies between babies and can range from 11 to 19 hours a day. At this early stage, their sleep patterns are largely influenced by their need for feeding, and they will usually wake up every 1 to 3 hours.
4 to 8 weeks
Around this time, your baby's sleep will start to be influenced more by light and dark rather than just hunger. Their sleep may also begin to lengthen.
3 to 6 months
At this age, your baby will start to experience more 'deep' sleep and less 'active' sleep. They may sleep for a total of 10 to 18 hours, with a few naps during the day, each lasting up to 2 hours. Some babies will sleep through the night, while others will still wake up frequently.
6 to 12 months
From 6 months onwards, your baby's sleep patterns will start to resemble those of an adult, with a total sleep time of 10 to 16 hours per day. They will sleep more at night, up to 12 hours, and take shorter naps during the day, totalling 2 to 4 hours. Their sleep may be impacted by physical and emotional developments, such as learning to crawl or experiencing separation anxiety.
By the time they reach 12 months, most babies tend to sleep better, with 9 to 15 hours of sleep per day. They will sleep less during the day and for longer stretches at night.
Tips for better sleep
To help your baby develop good sleep habits, it's important to establish a routine and differentiate between day and night. Keep their surroundings bright and active during the day, even during naps. In contrast, maintain a dim and quiet environment at night, speaking softly and keeping interactions minimal during night-time feeds.
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How to help newborns develop good sleep habits
Newborns sleep on and off through the day and night, and their sleep cycles are much shorter than adults, at around 40 minutes. They also have more REM sleep, which is important for their development.
- Expose them to light and play with them during the day.
- Provide a dim and quiet environment at night.
- Keep their surroundings bright and busy during the day, even during naps.
- Keep lights and noise low at bedtime and during the night.
- Don't talk too much during night-time feeds.
- After about four weeks, you may notice your baby becoming more awake and alert during the day.
- By three months, they may sleep for up to five hours at night, and you can introduce a bedtime routine.
It's important to remember that every baby is different, so try not to compare your baby's sleep patterns with those of other babies. Their sleep patterns will also change a lot in their first year.
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Frequently asked questions
A fetus sleeps for 90-95% of the day, which is around 22-23 hours.
A fetus sleeps so much because it is in a warm and cosy environment, rocked by the mother's movements.
A mother's diet can have a huge impact on a fetus's sleep. Consuming sugar and caffeine can disrupt the sleep patterns of the fetus, while a balanced diet can help it sleep better.
During the third trimester, a fetus is awake for 2-3 hours a day. Before that, it is hard to study a fetus's sleep patterns, but rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is first observed during the seventh month.
A newborn baby sleeps for a total of 11-19 hours a day, which is significantly less than a fetus.
