Herbie Murray
Sleep is a common concern for new parents. Newborns generally sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, but this can vary, and they will wake frequently for feeding. It's important to remember that each baby has a different sleep pattern, and there is a wide range of normal sleep behaviours. In the first few months, newborns will invariably wake up repeatedly at night, and it's unlikely they will sleep through the night until around one year of age. However, there are ways to help your baby develop good sleep habits. For example, it's important to establish a safe sleep environment, and you can also try swaddling your baby or putting them to sleep in a small crib to help them feel secure.
How to Not Worry About Newborn Sleeping
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep Duration | Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. |
| Sleep Patterns | Newborns follow their own schedule and will adjust to a routine over a few weeks or months. |
| Sleep Environment | The sleep environment should be quiet and calm, with low lights. The baby should sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface and a snugly fitting sheet. Keep soft items, blankets, and loose items away from the baby's sleep area. |
| Sleep Position | Always place the baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. |
| Room-Sharing | Room-sharing is safe, but bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related risks. |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up every few hours to feed. Breastfed babies feed more frequently (every 2-3 hours) compared to bottle-fed babies (every 3-4 hours). |
| Swaddling | Swaddling can help soothe the baby and prevent them from moving and waking themselves up. |
| Daytime Activities | Keep the curtains open during the day, play games, and don't worry about everyday noises. This will help the baby learn the difference between day and night. |
| Sleep Cues | Babies usually need a cue to tell them it's time to sleep, such as swaddling, a bath, massage, or dim lighting. A bedtime routine can be calming and predictable for the baby. |
| Temporary Sleep Issues | Temporary issues like illness, teething, growth spurts, or changes in routine are common causes of sleep disturbances. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day are common reasons for newborns not sleeping
- Swaddling and creating a bedtime routine can help newborns sleep
- Newborns should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months
- Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths
- Newborns generally sleep 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period, but this varies
Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day are common reasons for newborns not sleeping
Hunger, illness, and not understanding the difference between day and night are common reasons for newborns not sleeping.
Newborns need to eat frequently, waking up every couple of hours for a feed. Breastfed babies may feed more often than bottle-fed babies, but both will need regular feeds throughout the day and night. Hunger is a common reason for babies to wake during the night. Even if you've fed your baby recently, it's worth offering them another feed if they're struggling to sleep. Thirst may also be a factor, so try offering breast milk or formula to see if that's what your baby needs.
Illness or discomfort can also cause newborns to wake frequently or struggle to sleep. If you suspect that pain or illness is the reason your baby isn't sleeping, check with your pediatrician. Natural remedies may help with issues like gas, such as massaging your baby to relieve discomfort.
Not understanding the difference between day and night is another common reason for newborn sleep issues. This is known as day-night confusion or day/night reversal, and it occurs because newborns' internal circadian rhythms are still developing. They may sleep well during the day but are more alert and active at night. To help your baby understand that day is for play and night is for sleep, establish clear routines and environments for day and night. During the day, ensure your home is bright and lively, and engage in stimulating activities with your baby. Keep them awake a little longer during each waking period to increase their need for sleep later. At night, create a calm, dark, and quiet environment, minimizing interaction during feedings and changes.
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Swaddling and creating a bedtime routine can help newborns sleep
Establishing a bedtime routine and swaddling your newborn can be effective ways to help them sleep.
Bedtime Routine
Newborns follow their own sleep schedule, and it may take a few weeks for their brain to start differentiating between night and day. During this time, you can help your baby settle into a routine by keeping things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and avoiding playing or talking with your baby during this time can also help reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
Once you and your baby have settled into a routine, be prepared to change it as your baby grows and enters different developmental stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep, so it's important to remain flexible and follow your baby's lead.
Swaddling
Swaddling, or wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket, can be an effective way to soothe a crying baby and help them fall and stay asleep. It can keep their arms and legs still, preventing them from moving around and waking themselves up. Swaddling can also help babies who startle themselves awake when sleeping on their backs, which is the recommended sleep position to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
However, it's important to note that swaddling can have some downsides. Keeping the legs together and straight can increase the risk of hip problems, and loose fabric can lead to a suffocation hazard. If your baby starts trying to roll over while swaddled, it's a sign to stop swaddling. Instead of a traditional swaddle, you can use infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket or sleep sack, which allows for safer hip movement.
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Newborns should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months
Newborns have their own sleep schedule and tend to sleep more during the day and be awake at night. They also wake up repeatedly at night to feed. While this can be a challenging time for parents, there are some strategies to help you worry less about your newborn's sleep.
Firstly, it is important to understand that newborns need a lot of sleep, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. They will also need to be fed every few hours, so it is important to wake them up to feed them if they are sleeping for longer stretches. Breastfed babies may feed more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
Secondly, creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for your newborn is crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This arrangement is known as "room-sharing" and is different from "bed-sharing," which the AAP advises against due to the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related dangers. To create a safe sleep environment, always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface, and avoid using pillows, blankets, or loose bedding, as these can increase the risk of SIDS.
While room-sharing, you can use a bassinet or crib next to your bed, ensuring your baby is within arm's reach. This arrangement can provide peace of mind and facilitate nighttime breastfeeding. Additionally, keeping your baby in a well-ventilated room and dressing them appropriately for the temperature can help prevent overheating.
It is also important to establish healthy sleep habits for your newborn. Swaddling, or wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket, can help soothe them and prevent their arms and legs from flailing about, which might wake them up. Singing, rocking, and cuddling your baby can also help them settle down. During the day, exposing your newborn to natural light, playing games, and allowing everyday noises can help them distinguish between day and night.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to newborn sleep. Some babies may start sleeping through the night (5-6 hours) by 2-3 months, while others may take longer. If you have concerns about your baby's sleep or their sleep environment, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and support.
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Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths
Newborns should get 14–19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, but this sleep tends to happen in stretches of a few hours at a time, and newborns will wake up to eat. In the first few months, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night, and this can be very hard to cope with. Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day are common reasons why newborns don't sleep at night.
While room-sharing with your newborn is safe, and even recommended for the first 6 months, bed-sharing with your infant is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. An 8-year study found that the risk associated with bed-sharing was three times greater for infants with low birth weight for gestation and increased fourfold if the combined tog value of clothing and bedding was ≥10. The unadjusted odds ratio for bed-sharing was 13.87 for infants whose mothers smoked and 2.09 for non-smokers.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, the AAP recommends always placing your baby on their back to sleep, using a firm, flat sleep surface, and covering the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Keep soft objects like plush toys, pillows, blankets, and quilts out of your baby's sleep area. Dress your baby for the room temperature and don't cover their head while they're sleeping to avoid overheating.
If your newborn is fussy, it's OK to rock, cuddle, and sing to them as they settle down. Swaddling can also help soothe a crying baby and keep them from moving around too much in their sleep. During the day, it's a good idea to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime by opening the curtains, playing games, and not worrying too much about everyday noises while they sleep.
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Newborns generally sleep 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period, but this varies
Newborns generally sleep 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, but this varies. In fact, some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. During the first few months, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night. They need to be fed often, about every 2 to 4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. They may also wake up due to hunger, thirst, illness, teething discomfort, or not understanding the time of day.
It is important to remember that each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some babies start to sleep through the night (for 5 to 6 hours at a time) by 2 to 3 months of age, but others may take longer. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to learn the difference between night and day. To help your baby understand this distinction, you can keep their room dark during naps and avoid turning on the TV or playing with them during nighttime feedings. You can also try to keep the lights low and refrain from stimulating activities during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
To help your newborn sleep, you can swaddle them or wrap them in a light blanket. Swaddling can keep their arms and legs still, preventing them from moving around too much and waking themselves up. Additionally, make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use are approved by the relevant safety organizations and meet federal safety standards. For example, always place your baby on their back to sleep, and use a firm, flat sleep surface with a snugly fitting sheet. It is also important to dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating or being too cold, which can disturb their sleep.
While it can be challenging, remember that this phase will likely pass as your newborn adjusts to life outside the womb. If you are concerned about your baby's sleep or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, maternal and child health nurse, or a healthcare professional for advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day are the top reasons why newborns don't sleep at night.
Swaddling can help keep their arms and legs still so they don't move and wake themselves up. You can also try putting them to sleep in a small crib, which may help them feel snug and secure.
Here are some safety tips for newborn sleep:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
- Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet.
- Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- To avoid overheating, dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle.
- Don't cover your baby's head while they're sleeping.
- Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
You can help your newborn differentiate between day and night by keeping their room dark when they nap during the day and avoiding turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
