Ashwin Lewis
Getting a newborn to sleep can be a challenge for new parents. Understanding their sleep cycles is key to helping your newborn sleep more peacefully. Newborns have two distinct sleep cycles: REM and Non-REM. Non-REM sleep is a deeper and calmer state of sleep, which newborns enter about 15-20 minutes after falling asleep. You can tell that your newborn is in a deep sleep when their mouth is shut, their breathing is slow and steady, and their arm flops when you lift it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep cycle stage | Deep sleep occurs during the Non-REM sleep cycle stage. |
| Time | Deep sleep occurs 15-25 minutes after falling asleep. |
| Mouth | The mouth is shut during deep sleep. |
| Eyes | The eyes are still during deep sleep. |
| Breathing | Breathing is slow and steady during deep sleep. |
| Arm movement | The arm flops when lifted during deep sleep. |
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep about 8-9 hours in the daytime and 8 hours at night. |
| Feeding | Feed the baby before the crying phase. |
| Environment | The environment should be quiet and warm. |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns have two sleep cycles, one being deep and the other being active
- A newborn enters deep sleep about 15-20 minutes after falling asleep
- Signs of deep sleep include slow and steady breathing, and a shut mouth
- Swaddling can help signal that it is sleep time
- Make sure your baby is topped off on milk and has a fresh diaper before sleep
Newborns have two sleep cycles, one being deep and the other being active
Newborns have two distinct sleep cycles, REM and Non-REM. During the early months, newborns enter sleep through an initial period of light sleep (REM). After 15-20 minutes, they gradually enter deep sleep (Non-REM), from which they are not so easily aroused. In Non-REM sleep, newborns will be more peaceful and easier to transfer to a crib if they were being held.
In the active cycle, their eyes will be fluttering, and their mouths will be open and moving. You can tell that a newborn is in a deep sleep when their mouth is shut and their breathing is slow and steady. This usually takes 20-25 minutes. You can also test if a newborn is in a deep sleep by seeing if their arm flops when you lift it.
Newborns may awaken as they pass from deep to light sleep and may have difficulty falling back asleep. They may also have differences in how alert they are during the time they are awake. When a newborn awakens at the end of the sleep cycles, there is typically a quiet alert phase. During this time, newborns are very still but awake and taking in their environment. They may look or stare at objects and respond to sounds and motion. This phase usually progresses to the active alert phase, in which the newborn is attentive to sounds and sights and moves actively. After this phase is the crying phase, in which the newborn's body moves erratically, and they may cry loudly.
It is usually best to feed babies before they reach the crying phase. During the crying phase, they can be so upset that they may refuse to breastfeed or take a bottle. In newborns, crying is a late sign of hunger.
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A newborn enters deep sleep about 15-20 minutes after falling asleep
Understanding your newborn's sleep patterns is key to helping them establish a healthy sleep rhythm. Newborns sleep much of the day and night, waking only for feedings every few hours. They sleep about 8 to 9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night.
Newborns have two distinct sleep cycles: REM and Non-REM. REM stands for "Rapid Eye Movement". During the REM sleep cycle, babies under 4 months old can be easily startled and awakened. After 15-20 minutes of falling asleep, newborns enter the Non-REM sleep cycle, which is associated with cognitive development, knowledge retention, and learning. During this deeper and calmer state of sleep, newborns will be more peaceful and easier to transfer to a crib.
There are several signs that indicate your newborn is in a deep sleep. One way is to check the baby's eyes and mouth; in the active cycle, their eyes will be fluttering, and their mouth will be open and moving. You can also listen to their breathing to ensure it is slow and steady. Another test is to gently lift their arm and let go; if they are in a deep sleep, their arm will flop.
To help your newborn fall into a deep sleep, you can swaddle them before they fall asleep, warm their bassinet with a warm water bottle, and ensure their basic needs are met, such as feeding and burping. Establishing a bedtime routine is also beneficial, but be careful not to let your baby fall asleep in your arms, as they may come to expect this every time.
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Signs of deep sleep include slow and steady breathing, and a shut mouth
Newborns have two distinct sleep cycles: REM and Non-REM. In the early months, infants enter sleep through an initial period of light sleep. After 15 to 25 minutes, they gradually enter deep sleep, from which they are not so easily aroused. Signs of deep sleep include slow and steady breathing, and a shut mouth.
During the light sleep phase, a baby's eyelids flutter, their face muscles grimace, they breathe irregularly, and their muscles tighten. They may also move their arms and legs. During the deep sleep phase, their breathing is slow and steady, and their mouth is shut.
If you try to put your baby down during the light sleep phase, they will usually awaken. Many parents say that their baby has to be fully asleep before they can put them down. In the later months, some babies can enter deep sleep more quickly.
You can help your baby sleep by recognising signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing the right environment for comfortable and safe sleep. Make sure that they are topped off on milk, have a fresh diaper, and have been properly burped since their last feeding. Eliminating their base physical needs can go a long way in getting them to a deep sleep faster and more consistently.
It is also important to establish a bedtime routine. However, be sure that the baby does not fall asleep while eating or in your arms. This may become a pattern and the baby may begin to expect to be in your arms in order to fall asleep.
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Swaddling can help signal that it is sleep time
Swaddling is a technique that involves wrapping a baby tightly in a blanket or a swaddle. This practice can help calm infants and promote sleep by preventing their arms from flailing and startling them awake. It also provides the comforting sensation of being held tightly, similar to the environment they experienced in the womb.
Swaddling can be an effective signal that it is sleep time for newborns. By swaddling your baby before they fall asleep, you can help them associate being wrapped snugly with sleep. This can be especially useful when combined with other sleep cues, such as a warm bassinet or bedding that smells like the mother.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports the use of swaddling as a safe and effective technique to calm infants and promote sleep when done correctly. It is important to note that swaddling is typically recommended for the first few months after birth, as it can become a sleep prop if used for too long.
Additionally, swaddling can help reduce the number of sleep state changes and increase the duration of quiet sleep in infants. This means that your baby is less likely to transition between different sleep stages and will spend more time in a deep sleep state.
However, it is important to be mindful of your baby's needs and preferences. Some infants may prefer the freedom of a sleep sack or blanket instead of being tightly wrapped. It is also crucial to ensure that swaddling is done safely, as improper swaddling can potentially restrict the baby's movement or impact their ability to handle regulatory crises, such as prolonged apnea.
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Make sure your baby is topped off on milk and has a fresh diaper before sleep
Ensuring your baby is topped off on milk and has a fresh diaper before sleep is important for a restful night. Here are some tips to help with this:
Topping off on milk
For newborns, it is common to nurse or bottle-feed them to sleep. This is because newborns are typically only awake for a short time, and feeding them to sleep is a natural response. However, as they grow, they may become dependent on this pre-bedtime feed to fall asleep, even if they are not hungry. This can lead to disrupted sleep for both the infant and the parent.
To avoid this, you can gradually change the bedtime routine. Instead of feeding right before sleep, move the feeding to the beginning of the bedtime routine. This helps to separate eating from sleeping so that your baby can learn to self-soothe and fall back to sleep without needing to be fed. You can also try feeding your baby in a different room instead of where they sleep.
Fresh diaper
It is recommended to change your newborn's diaper every three hours, including overnight. If your newborn has a dirty diaper, it is best to change it as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation and diaper rash. Keep a diaper caddy stocked and nearby with all your diapering supplies for nighttime changes.
To minimize sleep disruptions during diaper changes, keep the lights low and the room quiet, and move slowly and calmly. You can also change your baby in your room on your bed in the dark, or use sleepwear that lends itself to stealthier changes, such as zip-up footie pajamas.
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Frequently asked questions
Your baby will not move very much and will have relaxed, floppy arms and legs. They will also have regular, steady breathing and won't wake up easily.
Newborns fall asleep dreaming in light sleep, so it may take 20-30 minutes for them to enter deep sleep.
Newborns sleep about 8-9 hours in the daytime and 8 hours at night. They wake up every few hours to feed.
A baby enters stage 1 at the beginning of the sleep cycle, then moves into stages 2, 3, 4, back to 3, then 2, and finally REM sleep.
REM sleep is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly back and forth. Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in REM sleep.
