Miya Pearson
Newborns typically sleep for 14 to 17 hours a day, with some sleeping up to 18 to 19 hours. Their sleep patterns are irregular, with short bursts of sleep lasting from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Newborns should be fed every 2 to 4 hours, depending on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and should be awakened to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first few weeks. It is important to establish a calm and quiet environment during nighttime feedings and avoid playing or talking with the baby to help them distinguish between night and day. As they approach the age of 4 months, their sleep patterns start to change, and they may sleep for longer stretches of 5 to 6 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 11-17 hours a day in the first year |
| Sleep pattern | Unpredictable, varying sleep times and durations |
| Awake time | 30-90 minutes at a time, varying throughout the day and from day to day |
| Feeding | Feed every 2.5-3.5 hours; breastfed babies feed more often (every 2-3 hours) than bottle-fed babies (every 3-4 hours) |
| Self-soothing | Babies younger than 3 months rely on caregivers to soothe them back to sleep; after 3 months, they can begin to learn to self-soothe |
| Sleep environment | Keep the sleep environment safe and free of hazards; follow recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS |
| Bedtime routine | Establish a simple, soothing bedtime routine to help your baby settle; avoid too much excitement or stimulation before bedtime |
| Sleep regression | Sleep patterns can change due to sleep regression, resulting in crying and disrupted sleep |
| Wake windows | Aim for the shorter end of the wake window range if your baby is cranky and struggling; aim for the longer end if they are alert and active |
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What You'll Learn
Babies' sleep schedules and patterns
Sleep is crucial for a baby's health, growth, and cognitive development. However, baby sleep patterns can be unpredictable and vary significantly from adult sleep patterns. Newborns sleep on and off throughout the day and night, with their sleep cycles starting in 'active' sleep. As they grow, they transition into deeper sleep patterns.
In the first few months, newborns sleep for about 11 to 19 hours a day, in bursts ranging from 30 minutes to three hours, with awake periods in between. During this early stage, they are easily tired and have irregular sleep schedules. An "eat, play, sleep" routine can be helpful, but it's important not to keep them awake for too long, as this can backfire and make it harder for them to fall asleep. Instead, look for sleepy cues and aim for shorter wake windows if they seem cranky and longer ones if they are alert and active.
From 3 to 6 months of age, babies start to have more 'deep' sleep and less 'active' sleep. They might sleep for a total of 10 to 18 hours, with naps during the day lasting up to 2 hours each. At night, some babies will sleep up to 8 hours, while others will still wake up frequently. Their sleep patterns become more influenced by light and dark during this stage.
By 6 months, most babies start sleeping through the night, sleeping for five to six hours at a stretch without feeding. Some babies may even start sleeping longer sooner, around 4 months. By 12 months, babies tend to sleep for around 9 to 15 hours a day, with less sleep during the day and longer stretches at night. However, it's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns can change a lot in the first year.
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Sleepy cues and wake windows
Sleepy cues are the behaviours and signals that indicate a baby's sleepiness. For babies aged 0 to 4 months, sleepy cues are essential in determining the right wake window. As babies get older, these cues can become more subtle and challenging to spot, so age-specific wake window ranges can be used as a guide.
The ideal wake window aims to strike a balance between sufficient awake time and preventing overtiredness. If a baby is cranky and struggling, a shorter wake window is preferable. In contrast, a longer wake window is suitable if they are alert and active.
The length and quality of naps, as well as a baby's behaviour, can provide insights into their sleep needs. For instance, if a baby consistently takes short naps, they may be becoming overtired, and a shorter wake window before bedtime is advisable. Additionally, factors like teething, travel, illness, or milestone mastery can disrupt sleep patterns.
It is important to note that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. The recommendations are guidelines, and individual babies may have lower or higher sleep needs. Consulting a pediatrician is essential to navigate the early months and determine what is right for your baby.
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Self-soothing and comforting
Self-soothing is when a baby can fall asleep or return to sleep on their own with little or no crying. Babies typically start demonstrating self-soothing behaviours by 3 to 4 months, and by 6 months, most infants can go 8 or more hours without needing a feed. It is ideal to encourage self-soothing behaviours before separation anxiety kicks in, around 8 to 9 months.
There are many techniques to help your baby self-soothe. One method is to establish a consistent sleep routine. Body rhythms can be trained to align with falling asleep at specific times, which can help your baby feel sleepy when you want them to fall asleep. However, if your baby is falling asleep while feeding, they are not self-soothing. By moving the bedtime feeding session to an earlier part of the bedtime routine, your baby can learn to self-soothe while still getting enough food. This may cause some upset crying as your baby finds other ways to soothe themselves to sleep. You may need to stand next to the crib and offer verbal reassurance or an occasional back rub as your baby learns to self-soothe.
Another method is the controversial CIO (Cry-It-Out) or extinction method, which involves putting the baby in their crib while awake and letting them cry for a certain amount of time until they are soothed, or avoiding soothing them entirely until they fall asleep unassisted. Studies on the effectiveness of this method are mixed, and it is a subject of ongoing debate among families and child development researchers.
It is important to remember that every baby is different, and no one solution will work for everyone. Observe your baby's sleep patterns and adjust accordingly.
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Sleep surfaces and products
When it comes to sleep surfaces and products for a five-day-old baby, safety is paramount. Here are some guidelines to ensure your baby's sleep environment is safe:
Sleep Surfaces
- Choose a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard. Avoid soft mattresses, waterbeds, memory foam, or pillow-top mattresses.
- Ensure the sleep surface is level and not inclined. Surfaces with one end higher than the other, or those that elevate both the head and feet, can cause positional asphyxia, blocking the baby's airway and leading to suffocation.
- Keep the crib or bassinet clear of any loose items, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads. These items can increase the risk of suffocation and strangulation.
- Use a fitted sheet that covers the mattress snugly. Avoid using mattress cushions, pillow tops, or loose bedding.
- Avoid co-sleeping with your baby on an adult bed, couch, or armchair.
Sleep Products
- Ensure that any sleep products, such as cribs, bassinets, or sleep accessories, have been approved by a reputable safety organization, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or similar entities in your country.
- Avoid using positional devices or sleep positioners, as they may not be safe for your baby.
- Swaddling your baby with a light blanket is generally considered safe until they start to roll over (typically around 3 to 4 months old). However, never swaddle your baby in a car seat, as it can pose a safety risk.
- If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing, or carrier, transfer them to a flat and firm sleep surface as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Keep them away from secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS.
Remember, creating a safe sleep environment is crucial for your baby's well-being. Always follow the recommendations of reputable safety organizations and consult your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
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Room-sharing and co-sleeping
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep in their parents' room for at least six months, and ideally for a year. This is because studies have shown that having babies close by can help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Room-sharing can also support breastfeeding. However, babies who sleep in their parents' room tend to get less sleep at night and sleep for shorter stretches. They are also four times more likely to end up in their parents' bed, which can lead to unsafe sleep practices, such as leaving pillows and blankets within reach of the baby.
If you choose to have your baby share your room, it is important to establish a safe sleeping space that meets all the requirements for infants. This includes having them sleep in their own crib or bassinet, with no pillows or blankets nearby, and ensuring that the room is dark and cool.
When deciding whether to transition your baby to their own room, consider the following:
- Is their room set up with a safe sleeping space?
- Have they outgrown their bassinet?
- Is room-sharing causing major sleep interruptions?
If you decide to transition your baby to their own room, you can make the process smoother by:
- Practicing with at least one nap a day in the nursery.
- Going into the nursery multiple times a day for diaper changes, getting your baby dressed, and playing on the floor to make the room a familiar environment.
- Doing the bedtime routine in the nursery for 3-4 nights before bringing your baby back into your room to sleep.
- Moving your baby's bassinet into the nursery for a few nights before transitioning them to a crib.
Remember, there is no exact age for when your baby should sleep in their own room, and the decision is unique to every baby and family. The most important considerations are your baby's safety and getting enough sleep to support their health and growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day.
Newborns should feed every 2-4 hours to gain weight. Wake your baby every 3-4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
Keep your baby alert during daytime feedings by rubbing their back, playing with their toes, and undressing them so they don't get too cosy.
Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and nappy changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
Make a 20-30 minute bedtime routine. This can help your baby calm down and know it's time for sleep. Give your baby a bath, sing a lullaby or read them a book. Feed your baby at the start of their bedtime routine so they don't rely on feeding to fall asleep.
