Newborn Sleep: Understanding Their Sleep Patterns And Needs

Newborns typically sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, and it's normal for them to sleep almost constantly in the early weeks, only waking to feed. This is because they haven't yet developed a sense of day and night, and their tiny stomachs can't hold enough food to keep them satisfied for long. However, it's important to ensure that newborns are feeding regularly, and they should be woken to feed every 2-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.

Newborns sleep a lot because they're learning and growing

Newborns are undergoing rapid growth and development, both physically and mentally. By the time they turn one year old, they will have tripled their birth weight. They also learn to roll over, sit up, crawl, stand, eat solid food, develop social skills, and perhaps even walk and talk. All of this requires a lot of energy, and sleep helps fuel their bodies for these changes.

Sleep also plays a crucial role in a newborn's learning process. Their brains are constantly absorbing new information about their surroundings, and sleep aids in memory consolidation and sensory processing. It prepares them to explore and interact with their environment in new ways.

Additionally, newborns don't have a well-developed circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night. They also don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep, which is why they tend to sleep in short bursts throughout the day and night.

While it's normal for newborns to sleep a lot, it's important to ensure they're getting enough food. Breastfed newborns should feed every 2 to 4 hours, while formula-fed newborns should feed every 3 to 4 hours. If your newborn is sleeping through feedings, you may need to gently wake them to ensure they're getting adequate nutrition.

As your newborn approaches the 3-month mark, you may notice them starting to sleep for longer stretches at night. This is because they're gradually developing a sense of the difference between day and night.

Remember, if you're ever concerned about your newborn's sleep patterns or overall well-being, don't hesitate to reach out to your paediatrician or healthcare provider for advice and guidance.

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night

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. This sleep is usually broken up into short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are typically 20-50 minutes long.

Helping Your Newborn Sleep

Newborns follow their own schedule, but there are some things you can do to help them settle. It's important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.

It's also a good idea to let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep. You can also expose them to light and gently play with them during the day to help them learn the difference between day and night.

When to Wake Your Baby to Feed

In the first few weeks, you should wake your baby to feed every 2-4 hours, even if they are sleeping. This is important to ensure they are getting enough nourishment. Once your baby has regained their birth weight and is gaining weight normally, you may be able to stop waking them to feed at night.

When to Worry About a Sleepy Baby

If your newborn is sleeping well above their recommended amount, is sleepier than normal, or is difficult to wake, you should contact your pediatrician. You should also seek advice if your baby is not waking up to feed as expected or is falling asleep during feeds.

Newborn sleep cycles are short and erratic

Newborns sleep a lot—between 12 and 18 hours a day—but they don't stay asleep for long. In the first few months, newborns don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time, day or night. Newborn sleep cycles are short and erratic, with sleep periods lasting only an hour or two at a time. This is because they have tiny stomachs that can't hold enough food to keep them full for long, so they wake up frequently to eat.

Newborns also don't have a sense of day and night yet. They don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep, and they haven't developed a circadian rhythm. As a result, they sleep around the clock and may sleep more during the day than at night.

Helping Newborns Sleep

Newborns follow their own schedule, but there are some things you can do to help them sleep and establish a routine:

• Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
• Try to keep the lights low at night and use brighter lights during the day.
• Resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby at night.
• Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they associate it with sleep.
• Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping.
• Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can help soothe a crying baby.

When to Wake a Newborn to Feed

It's important to wake your newborn to feed every two to four hours, even if they are sleeping, to ensure they are getting enough nourishment. Breastfed newborns should feed every two to three hours, while formula-fed babies tend to feed every three to four hours. Once your baby has regained their birth weight and is gaining weight normally, usually within the first few weeks, you can let them sleep for longer periods at night without waking them to feed.

Newborns need to be woken up to feed

Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 or even 19 hours a day. Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2 to 3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours.

Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3 to 4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.

The first months of a baby's life can be hard for parents, who might get up many times at night to tend to the baby. Each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some start to sleep "through the night" (for 5 to 6 hours at a time) by 2 to 3 months of age, but some don't.

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock and wake often to eat because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long.

Newborns typically sleep only for a short stretch at a time—one to three hours—but their need for REM sleep means they need to sleep for a longer amount of time within a 24-hour period.

Babies also aren't born with a developed circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night. They also don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.

Newborns sleep for longer stretches during the day

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 12 to 18 hours a day. They don't know the difference between day and night, so they sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to feed. In the first few months, newborns don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time, day or night.

Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every three to four hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.

The main reason is the drastic physical and mental development they experience in the first few months. Their brain is working hard while they sleep. They are also born without a developed circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night.

Newborns generally sleep between 15 and 17 hours a day. This range may vary depending on their personal growth, activity level, and sleep needs.

While it's not common, some babies may sleep more than they need to, interfering with the awake time and stimulation they require for growth. If your newborn sleeps all day, try to stimulate them enough to rouse them and keep them awake.

Potential Causes of Newborn Sleeping More Than Usual

There are a few reasons why a newborn may sleep more than usual:

• Illness: This could be something minor like a cough or cold, or something more serious.
• Change in routine: This could include coming home after a vacation or sleeping in a new place.
• Growth spurts: Hitting milestones and growth spurts can cause a sudden increase in sleep.

When to Wake a Newborn for Feedings

Newborns should feed every two to three hours. If it's been longer than that, it's usually best to wake your baby. Once your baby is past the four- to six-week mark and gaining weight normally, you may not need to wake them to feed at night.

How to Wake a Newborn for Feedings

• Place the baby on a firmer surface.
• Unswaddle the baby and undress them a bit.
• Change the baby's diaper.
• Stroke the baby's back.
• Increase the light in the room.
• Bring the nipple to their mouth to see if they start to suck.

Frequently asked questions