Herbie Murray
It's common for newborns to have erratic sleep patterns, and unpredictable sleep and feeding schedules can be very hard for parents to cope with. However, there are ways to help your baby develop a more regular sleep pattern. Newborns sleep a lot, but only in short periods of 2-4 hours, and they don't yet have an internal clock that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. This means they're more likely to sleep during the day and be awake at night. To help your baby develop a more regular sleep pattern, you can try to teach them that daytime is for fun and active play, while night-time is for sleep. You can do this by keeping things busy and active during the day, and keeping interactions calm and quiet at night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep a lot, but only in short periods of 2-4 hours. |
| Sleep duration | Newborns can sleep for up to 18 hours a day. |
| Sleep cycles | Newborns don't have a predictable sleep cycle and their sleep patterns are erratic. |
| Sleep environment | Keep the sleep environment calm and quiet to signal that nighttime is for sleep. |
| Feeding | Avoid overfeeding as it can disrupt the baby's sleep. |
| Daytime activities | Keep babies active and engaged during the day to differentiate daytime from nighttime. |
| Circadian rhythm | Newborns are still developing their internal clock and may confuse day and night. |
| Sleep cues | Look for signs that your baby is getting sleepy, such as yawning or rubbing eyes. |
| Sleep schedule | A predictable sleep schedule may start to develop around 3-5 months. |
| Nap transitions | Nap schedules will evolve as the baby grows, with most babies taking three naps a day at 6 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Recognising sleep cues
- They are sleeping more during the day than at night and missing their daytime feeds.
- They have gone more than 4 hours without eating during the day (3 hours for breastfed babies).
- They are exhibiting signs of tiredness, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy and irritable.
- They are seeking comfort and wanting to be held or cuddled.
- They are showing decreased interest in their surroundings and becoming less active or responsive.
- They are pulling on their ears or putting their hands on their head, which may indicate that they are feeling sleepy.
It's important to pay attention to these sleep cues and try to put your newborn down for a nap before they become overtired. An exhausted baby may have more trouble falling and staying asleep. Additionally, try to keep them awake after they feed during the day to help them sleep more at night.
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Daytime habits
It is normal for newborns to have erratic sleep patterns, and they may sleep more during the day than at night. This is known as day-night confusion, and it happens because newborns are still developing their internal clock, which will tell them it is time to sleep.
To help your newborn adjust their sleep schedule, you can start teaching them that nighttime is for sleep and daytime is for fun from as early as two weeks old. During the day, keep your baby awake, active, and entertained. You can carry them in a sling or baby carrier, or use a baby swing, to help reinforce the idea that daytime is for activity. Exposure to early afternoon sunlight can also help babies identify when they should sleep and when they should be awake.
It is important to watch for signs that your baby is getting tired, such as sleep cues, and put them to bed before they become overtired, as this can make it harder for them to fall asleep. However, don't worry if they do fall asleep during the day, as this is normal for newborns. After the first month, try to avoid letting your baby fall asleep while feeding, as you want them to learn how to fall asleep without your help.
Remember, every baby is different, and their sleep patterns will evolve as they grow. Be prepared to change routines and stay flexible, especially in the newborn phase.
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Night-time interactions
It is normal for newborns to have unpredictable sleep patterns, with day/night confusion being common. This is because newborns are still developing their internal body clock, which regulates sleep.
- Keep night-time interactions calm and quiet. This will signal to your baby that night-time is for sleep. Keep the lights low and your voice soft if you have to feed or change their diaper.
- Avoid overstimulating activities at night. Instead, opt for quiet and soothing activities such as reading or singing lullabies.
- If your baby is sleeping for long stretches during the day, consider waking them gently after a few hours to ensure they get enough nutrition during the day and don't confuse night and day.
- Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. This could include a bath, reading a book, or singing a lullaby. A consistent routine will help signal to your baby that night-time is for sleep.
- Be mindful of your baby's sleep cues and try to put them to bed before they become overtired. Signs of sleepiness in newborns include yawning, rubbing their eyes, and pulling at their ears.
- If your baby is older than one month, avoid letting them fall asleep while feeding or rocking them. This will help them learn to fall asleep independently.
- Encourage your baby to be active during the day. Spend time outdoors in the early afternoon sunshine, which can help regulate their body clock.
- Mimic the sleep cues your baby experienced in the womb. Use tight swaddling, white noise, and motion at night to signal that it's time for sleep.
- If you are breastfeeding, avoid consuming too much caffeine as it may disrupt your baby's sleep. Caffeine can remain in your system for over 12 hours and may prevent your baby from sleeping soundly.
- Keep your baby's room cool and comfortable. Being too hot or too cold can disturb their sleep.
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Sleep environment
Newborns sleep a lot, but their sleep patterns are erratic and unpredictable. They are still developing an internal clock that tells them when to sleep and when to stay awake. Their sleep environment can play a crucial role in helping them establish this internal clock.
Firstly, it is important to keep the sleep environment calm and quiet during the night. When you have to feed or change your baby's diaper, keep the lights low and your voice soft. This will help them understand that night-time is for sleeping. On the other hand, during the day, especially in the early afternoon, try to expose your baby to sunlight. Research has shown that babies who slept well at night spent twice as much time in the sunshine. This helps their brains identify when it is time to sleep and when to wake up. You can also reinforce this by keeping them active during the day. Carry them in a sling or baby carrier, or use a baby swing, to help them understand that daytime is for being awake and playing.
Additionally, it is important to keep the sleep environment calm and quiet overnight, but you should not aim to eliminate night wakings. It is developmentally appropriate for newborns to eat and seek comfort multiple times overnight. Instead, keep these interactions quick and calm, and during the day, try to keep your baby awake after they feed. However, don't worry if they do fall asleep, as it is normal for newborns to sleep a lot. Just try to avoid letting them fall asleep while feeding or rocking them after the first month, as you want them to learn how to fall asleep independently.
Finally, you can mimic the sleep cues they experienced in the womb to help them understand that it is time to sleep. Use tight swaddling, white noise, and motion to signal to your baby that it is time to sleep.
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Circadian rhythm
The circadian rhythm is an internal clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycles, telling us when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up. Newborn babies do not have this rhythm yet, which is why they often sleep and wake unpredictably and can confuse day and night.
To help your newborn develop a healthy circadian rhythm, you can provide them with behavioural cues that will teach them the difference between night and day. During the day, keep your baby active and engaged, and try to keep them awake after they feed. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight, as this will help them distinguish between day and night. You can carry your baby in a sling or baby carrier, or use a baby swing, to reinforce the idea that daytime is for being awake and playing. In the early months, it is normal for your baby to sleep a lot during the day and to wake up frequently at night to feed.
At night, keep interactions calm and low-key. Keep the lights low and your voice soft when feeding or changing nappies, to signal that nighttime is for sleeping. After the first month, try to avoid letting your baby fall asleep while feeding, as you want them to learn how to fall asleep on their own. You can also use tight swaddling and white noise at night to signal that it is time for sleep.
By around three to five months, your baby will likely have a more predictable 24-hour cycle of eating and sleeping, although short naps are still common at this age. By six months, most babies are taking three semi-predictable naps per day. However, it is important to remember that every baby is different, and you should follow your baby's lead when it comes to sleep. If you are breastfeeding, try to avoid consuming too much caffeine, as this may disrupt your baby's sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns typically don't have a regular sleep schedule and sleep patterns vary. However, there are some things you can do to help your newborn develop a sleep schedule:
- Keep them awake after they feed during the day.
- Keep the lights low and your voice soft when you feed them at night.
- Avoid letting your baby fall asleep while feeding or rocking them after the first month.
- Expose your baby to early afternoon sunlight to help them identify when they should sleep and when they should wake.
- Avoid caffeine if you're breastfeeding, as it may disrupt your baby's sleep.
Newborns typically sleep around 15 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours.
Babies typically start sleeping through the night when they're around 6 months old.
Your baby will let you know when they need sleep. Some common signs that they feel tired include yawning, rubbing their eyes, and pulling on their ears.
Start your bedtime routine in the morning and keep things calm and quiet at night. You can also use tight swaddling, white noise, and motion at night to signal that it's time for sleep.
