Herbie Murray
Newborns tend to sleep for two to four hours at a time during the early weeks and months, and they need to be fed frequently. However, newborns can sleep for longer stretches, and parents should wake them to feed every three to four hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first few weeks. After that, it is okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night. Establishing a bedtime routine and a soothing sleep environment can help your baby develop healthy sleep habits and longer sleep cycles. By three to six months, many babies can sleep for six to eight hours without a feeding, but this varies depending on their growth and feeding patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long newborns sleep overnight | Newborns sleep for about 8 hours overnight on average, but not all at once. |
| How long newborns can sleep without feeding | Newborns wake up every 2-4 hours to feed during the initial weeks. |
| How to help newborns sleep overnight without feeding | Establish a bedtime routine, put them to bed when they're sleepy but still awake, and wait for a few minutes to respond to their fussing when they wake up at night. |
| How to know if newborns are hungry | Signs of a hungry baby include sucking their hand or fingers, trying to latch, or turning their head from side to side and opening their mouth. |
| How to soothe newborns back to sleep | Try skin-to-skin contact, rocking, swaddling, or a laid-back breastfeeding position. |
| How to establish a safe sleep environment | Avoid using products that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or weighted blankets. Place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. |
| How to differentiate between day and night for newborns | Keep things bright and noisy during the day, and calm, dark, and quiet at night. |
| When can newborns sleep through the night without feeding | Between 3 to 6 months, babies develop longer sleep cycles and can sleep for longer stretches of 6-8 hours without feeding. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep training methods
The goal of sleep training is to help your baby sleep through the night without needing to be soothed or fed. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training, and different methods will work for different families.
Sleep training is not recommended for newborns, as they are unable to self-soothe and will need external help to fall and stay asleep. Instead, the focus should be on creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment to optimise sleep. Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and it's important to wake them to feed every 2-4 hours until they show good weight gain.
Once your baby is over three months old, you can start implementing gentle sleep training methods. The "pick-up/put-down" method involves placing your baby in their crib while they're drowsy but still awake. If they start to fuss, wait a moment before picking them up to console them, then place them back in the crib. Over time, gradually increase the pause time and reduce the amount of consoling.
Another method is "cry-it-out" or CIO, where parents take their baby through a bedtime routine, then leave the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. The baby will eventually tire themselves out or self-soothe back to sleep. However, this method can make parents uncomfortable as it involves not comforting their baby.
Other methods include the fading method, the chair approach, and the gradual method.
It's important to remember that sleep training can be challenging, and there will be rough nights. It's normal for babies to have different sleep patterns, and they may need to be sleep-trained again as their routines change as they grow.
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Sleep environment
The sleep environment is a crucial factor in helping newborns sleep overnight without feeding. Here are some tips to create a conducive sleep environment:
Room-sharing and Crib Placement: During the first few weeks, many parents opt for room-sharing, which involves placing the baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in the same bedroom as the parents. This arrangement facilitates easier feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night. While room-sharing is considered safe by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related hazards. Therefore, it is important to have the baby sleep in their own crib or bassinet placed safely in the parents' bedroom.
Temperature and Clothing: Maintaining a comfortable temperature in the nursery is essential. Keeping the room cool, around 18°C (65°F), is recommended. It is important to ensure the baby is not overdressed, as being too warm can make them sleepier. Adjust the baby's clothing and bedding according to the room temperature to prevent overheating.
Approved Sleep Surfaces and Products: Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products used are specifically designed for sleeping babies and meet the safety standards approved by relevant consumer safety organizations, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect vital signs, as their effectiveness is not proven. Do not use weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles around the baby.
Lighting and Noise Levels: During the night, maintain a calm and quiet environment with low lighting. This helps reinforce the difference between night and day for the baby. On the other hand, keep the daytime environment bright and allow for normal background noise levels. This will help the baby align their internal clock with the external environment.
Bedtime Routine: Establishing a soothing bedtime routine is crucial in signalling to the baby that it is time for sleep. This can include activities such as a warm bath, cuddling, storytime, or a final feeding. A consistent routine will help the baby associate these activities with sleep, making bedtime a more enjoyable experience for both the baby and the caregiver.
Sleep Position: Always place the baby on their back to sleep, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Sleeping on the stomach or side is not advised.
By creating a safe, comfortable, and consistent sleep environment, you can promote better sleep habits in your newborn and help them sleep overnight without feeding.
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Bedtime routine
Establishing a bedtime routine is key to helping your newborn sleep overnight without feeding. Here are some tips to create an effective bedtime routine:
Start early:
It is beneficial to start healthy sleep habits early on. Newborns tend to mix up their days and nights, so it may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to differentiate between day and night. By establishing a bedtime routine right from the start, you can help your baby learn the difference and set the foundation for healthy sleep habits.
Create a soothing environment:
Keep the lights low during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Avoid playing or talking with your baby during these times, as it can reinforce the idea that nighttime is for being awake. Instead, opt for calm and quiet activities to signal that it's time for sleep. Ensure the room temperature is comfortable, as a too-warm environment can make your baby sleepier.
Implement soothing activities:
Introduce soothing activities that signal bedtime is approaching. This could include a warm bath, cuddling, storytime, or a final feeding. Over time, your baby will associate these activities with sleep, making it easier for them to transition into bedtime.
Set regular feeding times:
Establish a consistent feeding schedule during the day and right before bedtime. This will ensure your baby has a full tummy before falling asleep, reducing the likelihood of them waking up due to hunger.
Encourage self-soothing:
Help your newborn learn to fall asleep on their own by putting them to bed when they are sleepy but still awake. If they wake up at night, wait a few minutes before responding to their fussing. This will allow them to practice self-soothing and gradually reduce their dependence on feeding or cuddling to fall back asleep.
Be consistent:
Consistency is key when it comes to establishing a bedtime routine. Stick to the same activities and timings each night to reinforce the routine. This will help your baby recognize the bedtime cues and settle into a predictable sleep pattern.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns and habits may vary. Always consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider for personalized advice and ensure your baby's overall health and growth are monitored and supported.
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Self-soothing
To begin with, it's important to establish a soothing bedtime routine. This could include singing lullabies, using a wind-up musical mobile, or reading a story. As your baby gets older, you can introduce calmer activities such as reading, ensuring you avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
Another aspect of self-soothing is creating a positive sleep environment. This means putting your baby to bed when they are sleepy but still awake, allowing them to associate their bed with settling and falling asleep independently. You can also try the 'wait-and-respond' method, where you wait a few minutes before responding to your baby's fussing, helping them learn to nod off without relying on your breast, arms, or a bottle.
Additionally, it's beneficial to provide opportunities for your baby to self-soothe before you check on them when they wake up overnight. This empowers them to get back to sleep without requiring your intervention. However, it's important to ensure your baby is fed, changed, and comfortable, addressing any potential reasons for their distress.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their ability to settle depends on their individual temperament. Some babies may find self-soothing more challenging, so be patient and persistent in your efforts to support your little one's developing sleep skills.
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Feeding patterns
Newborns generally sleep for two to four hours at a time before waking up to eat, both during the day and at night. This is because their tummies are tiny and they get hungry not long after feeding. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every two to three hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every three to four hours.
For the first few weeks of life, newborns should be woken up to feed every two to four hours, or until they regain their birth weight. After this period, it is okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night if they are healthy, have passed their birth weight, and are feeding and growing steadily.
Babies will develop an internal 24-hour rhythm over time, which will help them to differentiate between night and day. In the meantime, it is helpful to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and resisting the urge to play or talk to your baby will help to send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
By the time they are four to six months old, babies are developmentally able to sleep through the night without a feeding. However, this will depend on various factors, including the baby's age, weight, feeding method, and your family's nighttime feeding habits. Most babies start sleeping through the night by six months, which means they can sleep for five to eight hours without feeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed. Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3-4 hours.
It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm to be able to differentiate between night and day. Generally, babies younger than 6 months wake up every 3-4 hours because they're hungry. Most babies start sleeping through the night by 6 months, but some babies start sleeping longer even sooner, around 4 months.
Here are some tips to help your newborn sleep through the night:
- Start healthy sleep habits early by following a bedtime routine and putting them to bed when they're sleepy but still awake.
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
- Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby.
- Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
- Don't keep your baby up during the day in the hopes that they'll sleep better at night.
- Swaddle your baby (wrap them in a light blanket) to soothe them and help them sleep.
Look for signs that they're in a light sleep cycle, including flutters under closed eyelids, arm and leg movements, and sucking movements.
If your baby is lethargic and uninterested in feeding, try the following tips to encourage feeding:
- Ensure the room is cool (around 18°C or 65°F) and that your baby isn't overdressed, as being too warm can make them sleepier.
- Try skin-to-skin contact and a laid-back breastfeeding position, which can encourage feeding.
