Herbie Murray
Newborns need a lot of sleep. They sleep for around 14 to 17 hours within a 24-hour period, with sleep occurring in short bursts of one to three hours at a time. However, some newborns may sleep for longer stretches, and it is important to ensure they are not missing feedings. If your newborn is gaining weight steadily but still sleeping a lot, you should not worry. However, if you are having trouble getting in two full feedings in a row, consult a pediatrician.
Is it ok if my newborn sleeps a lot?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Normal sleep hours for newborns | 14-17 hours within a 24-hour period, up to 18-19 hours a day |
| Sleep hours for preemies | Up to 22 hours |
| Sleep hours for infants (4-12 months) | 12-16 hours daily |
| Sleep patterns | Short and erratic |
| Sleep duration | A few hours at a time |
| Sleep position | On their back |
| Sleep surface | Firm, flat, and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) |
| Clothing | Minimal clothing to prevent overheating |
| Feeding | Breastfed newborns: every 2-4 hours; Bottle-fed newborns: every 3-4 hours |
| Weight gain | Consult a pediatrician |
| Stimulation | Brighter lights, noise, and talking during the day |
| Medical conditions | Jaundice, infections, or medical procedures |
| Consult a doctor | Baby is gasping for air, wheezing, or has a fever |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn sleep patterns
Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are tiny, and they get hungry not long after feeding. They may also fall asleep before they are full, and as a result, they might wake up often to eat. Breastfed newborns should feed every two to four hours, while formula-fed babies can go a bit longer, typically three to four hours. 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 of time at night. If your baby is gaining weight steadily but still sleeping a lot, you probably have a good sleeper on your hands.
If your newborn sleeps all day, it's usually nothing to worry about. However, it's a good idea to stimulate them enough to rouse them and keep them awake. You can do this with brighter lights, more noise, and talking during the day. If your baby is sleeping through feedings, it's important to make sure they are getting enough nourishment. If you're having trouble getting in two full feedings in a row, let your pediatrician know.
If your newborn is sleeping too much, it could be a sign of a medical issue. Jaundice, infections, and any medical procedures, such as circumcision, can make your baby sleepier than usual. Call a doctor or go to the emergency room if your baby is gasping for air or wheezing, their breathing is very loud, their nostrils flare when they breathe, the skin around their ribs sinks in when they breathe, or they have a fever.
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When to wake a newborn for feeding
Newborns have small stomachs, so they get full quickly and may fall asleep before they are full. They might wake up often to eat, but if your baby sleeps for long stretches without feeding, you may need to wake them up to feed.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day. Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours.
Babies younger than four weeks old should not go longer than four to five hours without food. If your baby is younger than one month old, they may not wake up when they feel hungry, and you may need to wake them to feed. You can try brushing the side of their cheek to trigger the rooting reflex. If that doesn't work, try gently wiggling their toes or stroking the bottoms of their feet.
If your baby is not gaining weight steadily, you might need to wake them up to eat every three hours or more, depending on your doctor's recommendations. Consult your paediatrician or a nursing expert, who can offer individual advice based on your baby's needs and development.
If you are concerned that your baby is sleeping too much, you should talk to a paediatrician. In rare cases, a baby may have a medical condition that causes them to sleep too much. For example, premature babies often have different sleep patterns from full-term infants, and jaundice can also cause babies to sleep too much.
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Safe sleep environments
A newborn baby's sleep pattern can be a cause of concern for parents and caregivers. While it is common for newborns to sleep a lot, it is important to ensure that they are sleeping in a safe environment. Here are some guidelines for creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn:
Safe Sleep Surfaces:
- Use a firm, flat, and level surface for your baby to sleep on. This could be a mattress in a cot, portacot, bassinet, baby box, or co-sleeper that meets safety standards.
- Ensure the mattress is covered with a tight-fitting sheet. The sheet should fit snugly over the mattress to prevent any accidents.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep soft items like loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other similar objects away from the sleep space. These can pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation.
- Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing patterns. There are no known products that can guarantee this.
- If co-sleeping, ensure that the sleep space is large enough for everyone and that there is a clear space around the baby.
Safe Sleep Positions:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep. This position helps keep their airways open and reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.
- Avoid putting your baby to sleep on their stomach or side.
- Room-sharing is safe, but bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Other Considerations:
- Keep the baby's environment smoke and vapour-free. Smoking and vaping increase the risk of SUDI, even when done away from the baby.
- Breastfeeding is recommended as it reduces the risk of SUDI, including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.
- Avoid hanging items like mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and blind cords within the baby's reach.
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Do not cover their head while sleeping, and watch for signs of overheating such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Ensure that all sleep products have been approved by relevant safety commissions and meet federal safety standards.
Remember, it is important to consult with a pediatrician or a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your newborn's sleep patterns or safe sleep environments. They can provide guidance and recommendations tailored to your baby's specific needs.
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Sleep training methods
Newborns have a lot of sleep, and this is completely normal. They have small stomachs, so they get full quickly and fall asleep before they are full, which is why they wake up often to eat. They also do not have a well-established day-night sleep cycle.
Sleep training is not recommended for newborns. However, you can start to build the right sleep foundations by creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for your newborn to optimise sleep. Here are some sleep training methods that you can consider when your baby is older:
Cry-it-out (CIO) or Extinction
This is a well-known method where parents take their baby through a bedtime routine, cuddle with them, and give them a kiss goodnight before leaving the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. The baby will eventually tire themselves out or self-soothe back to sleep. This method works and quickly, according to proponents. However, many parents feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without comforting them, worrying that it will increase the baby's stress levels.
Pick-up/put-down
This method works by placing your baby in the crib while drowsy but still awake. If they start to fuss, wait a small amount of time, then pick them up to console them. After a few minutes, place your baby back into their crib. Repeat this process until they are asleep. Over time, gradually increase the pause time and reduce the pick-up console time.
Gradual method
This method involves reducing the amount of assistance your baby needs to fall asleep. For example, if you usually rock your baby to sleep, you might start by reducing the amount of time you spend rocking them. Eventually, you will be able to put your baby down while they are still awake and let them fall asleep on their own.
Chair approach
This method is similar to the gradual method, but instead of putting your baby down in their crib, you will sit next to them in a chair while they fall asleep. Over time, you will gradually move the chair further away from the crib until you are eventually out of the room.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training, and it is essential to consider your baby's unique needs and preferences. Always consult your paediatrician or a healthcare professional before starting any sleep training program.
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Signs to see a doctor
Newborns tend to sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 17 hours within a 24-hour period, and even up to 18–19 hours a day. In the first two months of a baby's life, sleep typically comes in short bursts of 30 minutes to three hours at a time.
However, if you're concerned that your newborn is sleeping too much, there are some signs that indicate you should consult a doctor or paediatrician:
- Feeding issues: Newborns need to eat frequently, and if they sleep too long, they may miss feedings. Breastfed newborns should not go more than two to four hours without eating, and formula-fed babies should not go longer than three to four hours. If your baby is not feeding enough, you may need to wake them up to feed every three to four hours, or more frequently depending on your doctor's recommendations.
- Weight gain: If your baby is not gaining weight steadily, this could be a sign that they are not getting enough nourishment. Your paediatrician will monitor your baby's weight at check-ups and advise if you need to wake your baby up to feed more frequently.
- Irregular sleep patterns: While newborn sleep patterns vary, if your baby is sleeping all day and staying up all night, it may be a cause for concern. Try to stimulate your baby with brighter lights, noise, and talking during the day to promote healthy sleep patterns.
- Respiratory issues: Newborns have noisy breathing due to their small nasal passages. However, if your baby is gasping for air, wheezing, or their nostrils are flaring when they breathe, this could indicate a respiratory issue.
- Other health issues: In rare cases, excessive sleep in newborns can indicate an underlying medical condition. Jaundice, for example, can cause increased sleepiness and is characterised by yellow skin and eyes, lethargy, difficulty eating, and fussiness. Other potential issues include breathing and heart disorders, dehydration, and premature birth.
It is important to trust your instincts and seek medical advice if you are concerned about your newborn's sleep patterns or overall health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 17 hours a day, and sometimes up to 18 or even 19 hours a day. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and their sleep patterns tend to be short and erratic.
If your newborn is sleeping too much, you should first make sure they are feeding well. For breastfed babies, that means feeding eight to 12 times a day, and for bottle-fed newborns, that's five to eight times a day. If your newborn is younger than one month old, you may need to wake them up to feed every three hours or more, depending on your doctor's recommendations. If your newborn is gaining weight steadily but still sleeping a lot, you can relax and enjoy the extra sleep while it lasts!
It is recommended that you always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat sleep surface covered by a snug-fitting sheet. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the baby's sleep area and dress your baby for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Do not share a bed with your infant, as this increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
It can be helpful to establish a routine for your newborn, but keep in mind that every baby is different and sleep in the first year doesn't have to follow strict rules. You can try different strategies for sleep training, such as teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own. Holding your baby often, especially in the first few months, can help them feel calm and safe, which can translate to better sleep.
If your newborn is sleeping too much and missing feedings, you should consult your pediatrician. Other signs that something may be wrong include gasping for air or wheezing, very loud breathing, flared nostrils, or skin around the ribs sinking in when they breathe.
