Gina Johnson
Newborns typically sleep a lot during the day, but they wake up multiple times at night to be fed. While newborns generally sleep in short bursts, some may sleep for longer stretches. If your newborn is sleeping through feedings, it could be a cause for concern, as they may be dehydrated or losing too much weight. However, it's also possible that they are just sleeping on an irregular schedule or experiencing a growth spurt. If you're worried about your newborn's sleep patterns, it's important to consult a pediatrician or nursing expert, who can provide advice tailored to your baby's needs and development.
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What You'll Learn
Babies sleeping through the night
It is normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day, but they will also wake up repeatedly at night to feed. In the first few weeks, it is normal for a newborn to wake up to feed and then go right back to sleep. Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are small, and they get hungry soon after feeding. These short bursts of sleep and wakefulness are a normal and important part of their growth.
There is a wide range of what is considered normal sleep for newborns, and each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some start to sleep through the night (for 5–6 hours at a time) by 2–3 months of age, but some don't. Babies younger than 6 months will wake up every 3–4 hours because they are hungry, so you may not need to wake them up to feed. However, newborns younger than 1 month old or so may not wake up when they feel hungry, and babies younger than 4 weeks old should not go longer than 4–5 hours without food. In the first two weeks, some experts recommend waking your baby to feed every 3–4 hours if they need to gain weight.
To help your baby sleep through the night, it is important to teach them that night-time is different from daytime. During the day, open the curtains, play games, and don't worry about everyday noises when they sleep. Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will help reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
If you are concerned that your baby is sleeping too much, talk to your pediatrician. They can help you determine what is normal for your baby and address any potential concerns.
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How to wake a baby to feed
It is normal for newborns to sleep through feedings, and they should be awakened to eat eight or more times every 24 hours, or every 3–4 hours, until they show good weight gain. This usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
- Set an alarm to remind yourself to feed your baby.
- Undress your baby and change their diaper.
- Use a cold wet wipe on their feet or arm pits—the cold will tickle and wake them up.
- Blow on their tummy.
- Sit them up, fully supported in a vertical position.
- Tickle their neck, feet, or the back of their ears.
- Firmly rub their feet.
- Expose them to cool air.
- Try a different brand of bottle nipple that they may find easier to feed from.
- If necessary, use a syringe to feed them expressed colostrum.
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Signs a baby is hungry
It is normal for newborns to sleep through feedings, and it may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to differentiate between night and day. Newborns sleep a lot during the day, and this varies from baby to baby. It is recommended to wake your newborn every 3-4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain, which is usually within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
- Fists moving to mouth: Babies will often move their fists to their mouths when they are hungry. This is an early feeding cue, and you should feed your baby as soon as possible to prevent them from getting upset.
- Head turning: Turning their head towards the breast or bottle is a sign that your baby is hungry.
- Becoming more alert: If your baby becomes more alert and active, it could be a sign that they are hungry.
- Sucking on hands or lip smacking: This is another early feeding cue, and it is important to feed your baby as soon as possible when you notice this sign.
- Opening and closing mouth: This is a clear indication that your baby is hungry and wants to be fed.
It is important to look out for these early feeding cues to ensure a calm and healthy feeding routine. Crying is often a late sign of hunger, and it can be harder to latch a baby once they are crying.
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Baby sleep patterns
Newborns sleep a lot during the day, but this can vary from baby to baby. Most newborns are asleep more than they are awake, and they can sleep for around 18 hours a day. However, newborns don't sleep in one long stretch. They usually sleep for 1-2 hours at a time, but this can be as little as 30 minutes or as long as 3 hours.
Newborns will invariably wake up repeatedly during the night for the first few months. They wake up a lot because their tummies are small, and they get hungry soon after feeding. These short bursts of sleep and wakefulness are normal and an important part of a baby's growth.
It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. During this time, it's helpful to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and refraining from playing with or talking to the baby will help send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
As a baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep for longer. Some babies may sleep for 5 to 8 hours or longer at night, but not all. Most babies start sleeping through the night by 6 months, sleeping for 5-6 hours at a stretch without feeding.
It's important to note that baby sleep patterns aren't an exact science, and every baby is different. If you're concerned about your baby's sleep patterns, it's best to consult a pediatrician or a nursing expert. They can provide advice based on your baby's individual needs and development.
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Baby sleep safety
While it is normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day, it is important to wake your baby every 3–4 hours to feed 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.
Safe sleep environment
Creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation. Make sure your baby sleeps in a safety-approved crib or bassinet that meets the federal safety standards. The sleep surface should be firm, flat, and level, with no items or bedding that could cause suffocation or strangulation. Remove pillows, blankets, and unfitted sheets from the area, and do not use weighted blankets or swaddles around your baby.
Room-sharing without bed-sharing
Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended as it reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50% compared to sharing an adult bed or sleeping in a separate room. It also makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring your baby easier. Keep the baby's crib or bassinet next to your bed, so you can easily check on them and breastfeed without getting out of bed.
Avoid sleep products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS
There are no known products that can lower the risk of SIDS. Do not use sleep positioners, wedges, incliners, or monitors that claim to detect a baby's heart rate and breathing pattern.
Establish a sleep routine
It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, with low lighting. Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night to associate it with sleep, and don't keep them awake during the day in hopes of better nighttime sleep. Instead, aim for adequate daytime sleep to prevent overtiredness, which can lead to more sleep difficulties at night.
Remember, keeping your baby safe is the top priority. Always follow safe sleep guidelines and consult reliable sources, such as the AAP, for more detailed information on creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns usually sleep for 1-2 hours at a time, and it is normal for them to wake up to feed and then go right back to sleep. In the first few weeks, newborns may not wake up when they feel hungry, so it is recommended to wake them up every 3-4 hours for a feeding. If you are concerned about your baby sleeping through feedings, consult a pediatrician.
It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. To help them understand the difference, keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking to your baby. Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they associate it with sleep.
The range of what is "normal" for newborn sleep varies widely. Most newborns sleep for around 18 hours a day in short bursts. As they grow, they will need fewer night feeds and will sleep for longer periods. If you are concerned that your baby is sleeping too much, talk to your pediatrician.
