Infant Sleep: Is Your Baby Sleeping Too Much?

It's common for newborns to sleep a lot—anywhere from 12 to 19 hours a day. They wake up every few hours to feed and tend to sleep in short bursts, in cycles of 20 to 50 minutes. Newborns don't know the difference between day and night, so they may sleep more during the day and be awake more at night. While it's normal for newborns to sleep a lot, they should be awakened to feed every 2 to 4 hours. If your newborn is sleeping all day and you're concerned, consult a doctor.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually 20 to 50 minutes long

Newborns sleep for around 14 to 17 hours within a 24-hour period, though this can be up to 19 hours. They wake every few hours to feed, as their tiny stomachs cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long. They also do not have established sleep-wake rhythms and cannot differentiate between day and night.

Newborns' sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep. You can help your newborn settle by putting them in their cot when they are tired but still awake, responding to tired signs, and using a gentle, positive, and consistent routine.

Newborns' sleep cycles are short because they need to feed frequently. Breastfed babies should feed about every 2 to 4 hours, while formula-fed babies should feed about every 3 to 4 hours. It's important to ensure newborns are getting enough to eat, especially in the first month, as they can be too sleepy and might not wake up to feed.

As newborns grow into infants, they begin to develop a schedule and start sleeping longer at night. By the age of 6 months, 90% of babies sleep through the night, though there is significant variation from baby to baby.

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and can confuse the two

Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period and do not know the difference between day and night. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.

Newborns follow their own schedule. Over the next few weeks to months, you and your baby will begin to settle into a routine. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day. There are no tricks to speed this up, but it helps to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.

You can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night.

Newborns don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. In other words, newborns don't yet know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake. This is normal and will resolve in time.

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 to 19 hours a day.

When to wake a newborn for feedings

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.

Breastfed babies should feed often, about every two to four hours. Formula-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every three to four hours.

When to worry about a sleepy baby

If you have a sleepy baby, you may wonder when to worry. Normally, a sleepy newborn is nothing to worry about. However, there are a few indicators that something else could be at play, and it's time to reach out to your pediatrician:

• Baby sleeping well above their recommended amount
• Baby sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
• Baby not waking up to feed as you would normally expect
• Baby falling asleep during a feed and not completing a usual feeding
• Baby not becoming more alert as they get older
• Baby is sick and has a fever of 100.4 or above rectally

Newborns need to be woken up to feed every few hours

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and sleep around the clock. They wake up every few hours to feed, regardless of the time of day or night.

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 to 19 hours a day.

Newborns need to be fed every two to four hours. Breastfed babies should feed about every two to three hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed about every three to four hours.

Newborns have tiny stomachs that don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long. They need to be fed frequently to get the nourishment they need. If they sleep for longer stretches, they should be awakened to feed.

Once a newborn's weight gain pattern is established, usually within the first couple of weeks, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night. However, if you ever feel that your newborn should be woken up to feed, you should do so.

How to Wake a Newborn for Feeding

If you need to wake your newborn for feeding, you can try placing them on a firmer surface, such as a floor play mat, or taking off their swaddle blanket and undressing them a bit. You can also change their diaper or give them a gentle sponge bath with a warm, wet washcloth.

When to Worry About a Sleepy Newborn

If your newborn is sleeping well above their recommended amount, is sleepier than normal or difficult to wake, is not waking up to feed, is falling asleep during a feed, or is not becoming more alert as they get older, you should consult your pediatrician.

Newborns sleep for longer stretches when they're sick

Newborns sleep a lot—up to 19 hours a day—but usually in short bursts, and their sleep patterns can be erratic. They don't know the difference between day and night and haven't yet developed a circadian rhythm. They also have tiny tummies, so they need to feed frequently, which can interrupt their sleep.

As a newborn gets older, their sleep patterns become more regular, and they start sleeping for longer stretches at night. By the time they're four months old, they should be sleeping for stretches of six or seven hours.

If your newborn is sleeping for longer stretches than usual, it could be a sign that they're sick. Sleep helps little ones fight off illness and recover, so it's perfectly normal for them to spend more time snoozing when they're unwell. However, if your baby is sleeping for six to eight hours at a time when they're just a month or two old, it's a good idea to get them checked out by a doctor.

Other reasons for a newborn sleeping for longer stretches include a growth spurt or developmental leap, or a more serious infection. If you're concerned about your newborn's sleep habits, try keeping a sleep log, and consult a pediatrician if you have any worries.

Newborns sleep a lot because they're growing and developing rapidly

Newborns also need a lot of sleep because their sleep architecture is different from that of adults. They spend around 50% of their sleep in REM sleep, while adults spend less time in REM sleep and more in non-REM sleep. As babies grow, they start to spend more time in non-REM sleep, similar to adults. However, newborns need more total sleep within a 24-hour period because their need for REM sleep requires them to sleep longer.

Additionally, newborns don't have a developed circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night. They also don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. As a result, newborns don't know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake up. This will resolve in time as they grow and develop.

On average, newborns sleep between 15 and 17 hours a day. This may vary depending on the baby's personal growth, activity level, and individual sleep needs. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. They usually sleep in short bursts, with sleep cycles lasting around 20 to 50 minutes.

While it's not common, some babies may sleep more than they need to, which can interfere with the awake time and stimulation necessary for their growth. However, in general, babies won't sleep more than they need within a 24-hour period.

It's important to ensure that newborns are getting enough food, even if they seem to be sleeping a lot. Breastfed newborns should feed eight to twelve times a day, while bottle-fed newborns or older infants should feed five to eight times a day. If a newborn is sleeping too much and missing feedings, they may not be getting enough calories and nutrition.

In summary, newborns sleep a lot because they are growing and developing rapidly, and their sleep patterns and needs are different from those of adults. They are also still developing their circadian rhythm and melatonin production, which will help them regulate their sleep-wake cycles as they get older.

Frequently asked questions