Gina Johnson
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed. This can be a challenging time for new parents, who may struggle to get enough sleep themselves. While it's a good idea to sleep when the baby sleeps, this is not always possible. Parents may want to spend their downtime catching up on reading or
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much sleep do newborns need? | Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. |
| How often do newborns wake up? | Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed every 3-4 hours. |
| How can parents encourage newborns to sleep? | Parents can establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for the baby, such as bathing, reading, and singing. It is also recommended to place the baby in a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake so they can learn to fall asleep on their own. |
| How can parents monitor newborns while sleeping? | It is recommended for newborns to sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. Angel Care monitors can also be used to track baby movement and alert parents if there is insufficient activity. |
| How can parents get sleep while caring for a newborn? | It is safe and recommended for both parents to sleep at the same time. Parents can take turns feeding and changing the baby, and it is important for them to support each other and prioritize their own rest. |
| How can parents create a safe sleep environment for newborns? | All sleep surfaces and products should be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. Avoid hazards such as cords, ties, or ribbons that can pose a strangulation risk, and keep the baby away from secondhand smoke, which increases the risk of SIDS. |
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What You'll Learn
It is safe for both parents to sleep simultaneously
Sleep is extremely important for new parents, as it helps them be more patient and feel better about parenting. However, it can be challenging for parents to get enough sleep, especially during the first few months of a baby's life. Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed and can disturb their parents' sleep.
To ensure both parents get enough sleep, they can share feedings, diaper changes, and other nighttime baby duties. For instance, if a mother is breastfeeding, she can pump breast milk so that her spouse can give a nighttime bottle to the baby, allowing the mother to get some extra sleep. Friends and family can also help with these tasks, giving parents time to rest.
Additionally, parents can create a bedtime routine for their baby, which can help the baby sleep better. This routine can include bathing, reading, and singing, which can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Being consistent with this routine will help the baby associate these steps with sleeping. It is also important to keep the baby's room quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, so they learn that nighttime is for sleeping.
To create a safe sleep environment for the baby, parents should ensure that all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. They should also avoid bundling the baby too much, as it can lead to overheating. Secondhand smoke should be avoided, as it increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Newborns sleep around 14-19 hours a day
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 12 to 16 hours or even up to 18–19 hours a day in their first few months. They don't know the difference between day and night and have yet to develop sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes, and they wake frequently, often because they need to be fed or changed.
It's important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. For instance, some settling techniques, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, may be challenging to maintain in the long term. This is because they can create a negative sleep association, resulting in the baby needing to be held to fall asleep.
To help your newborn learn to sleep more at night, expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night. It may take a few weeks for your newborn's brain to distinguish between night and day. Keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and nappy changes can help. Letting your baby fall asleep in their crib at night will help them learn that it's the place for sleep.
It's not uncommon for new parents to wonder what to do when their baby is finally asleep. While you should stay in the same room to monitor them, you can watch TV, but screen time can be detrimental to babies. If your baby is sensitive to sounds or colours, they may wake up if the television is on. You can use headphones or watch on a phone, tablet, or laptop with the screen turned away from your newborn and the volume low or muted.
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Safe sleep practices can reduce the risk of SIDS
While it is important for new parents to rest when their baby sleeps, it is also crucial to prioritize safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Here are some essential guidelines to follow:
Create a Safe Sleep Environment:
- Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products, such as cribs, bassinets, or play yards, meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Keep soft bedding, blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of the baby's sleep area.
- Avoid overbundling your baby. Dress them according to the room temperature, and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Keep the baby away from smokers and secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid hazards such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can pose a strangulation risk, and remove objects with sharp edges or corners from the baby's reach.
Sleep Position and Room-Sharing:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, both at night and during naps. This significantly lowers the risk of SIDS compared to sleeping on the stomach or side.
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended. Keep the baby's sleep area in the same room as the caregiver, ideally until the baby is at least 6 months old. This facilitates easy monitoring, feeding, and comforting.
- Avoid bed-sharing, as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Instead, consider using a separate sleep space, such as a crib or bassinet, near the caregiver's bed.
Feeding and Soothing:
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If you are breastfeeding, wait until it is well-established before introducing a pacifier.
- Newborns should be fed frequently, about every 2-4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed.
- If you bring the baby into your bed for feeding or comforting, remove all soft items and bedding from your side of the bed to prevent suffocation. Put the baby back in their separate sleep space as soon as you wake up.
Routine and Monitoring:
- Newborns follow their own schedule and may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day in the initial weeks. It may take a few weeks for them to differentiate between night and day.
- Keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Avoid playing or talking with the baby, and keep the lights low to reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Regular prenatal care and well-child visits to a healthcare provider can also contribute to reducing the risk of SIDS.
By following these safe sleep practices, caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and create a safe and comfortable environment for their newborns.
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Room-sharing is recommended, but not bed-sharing
Newborns follow their own schedule. They sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to eat. They should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18–19 hours a day.
During the first weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share. Room-sharing is when you place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate nursery. This keeps the baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. While room-sharing is safe, putting your infant to sleep in bed with you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths.
To create a safe sleep environment for your baby:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle.
- Don't cover your baby's head while they're sleeping.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don’t force it.
- Be mindful of hazards, such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners.
If you choose to room-share, be prepared for the possibility of decreased sleep quality for both you and your baby. Additionally, consider the potential impact on your relationship and intimacy. It's important to weigh the risks and benefits of room-sharing and make the decision that makes the most sense for your family's safety, well-being, and sanity.
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Keep the room quiet and calm during night-time feeds
It is perfectly natural for newborns to wake up at night to feed. They do not have a sense of day and night and sleep around the clock, waking up every couple of hours to eat.
- Keep the lights low.
- Avoid playing with or talking to your baby during the feed. This will send the message that night-time is for sleeping.
- If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it is the place for sleep.
- Keep the baby in the same room as you. This will make it easier to sense when they wake up and identify their hunger cues. They will also feel comforted and it will prevent them from waking up too much.
- Prepare what you need for night feeds in advance so that you are not fumbling around in the dark.
- If you want to watch TV during night feeds, make sure the volume is low or use headphones.
- Avoid overbundling your baby and keep them away from smokers to prevent overheating.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is recommended to sleep when your newborn sleeps. New parents are often sleep-deprived, and it can be challenging to get enough rest when your newborn is taking frequent naps throughout the day. However, it's important to prioritize your sleep to be better equipped to take care of your baby.
Newborns sleep around the clock and need a total of 14-18 hours of sleep per day. They wake up frequently to feed, approximately every 2-4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed.
It's important to create a safe and comfortable sleep environment for your newborn. Ensure that all sleep products have been approved by the relevant safety standards. Keep the room temperature comfortable, avoid overbundling, and watch for signs of overheating. Establish a bedtime routine with calming activities like bathing, reading, or singing to soothe your baby and signal bedtime.
While it may be tempting to catch up on your favourite TV show or scroll through your phone during your newborn's nap time, screen time can be detrimental to your baby's sleep. The light and sounds from electronic devices can distract and disturb your baby's sleep. If you want to watch TV, consider using headphones or watching on a device with the screen turned away from your baby.
Here are some strategies for new parents to optimize their sleep:
- Share feedings, diaper changes, and other baby duties with your partner or support system.
- Pump breast milk so your partner can give a bottle during the night while you rest.
- Ask friends and family for help with household chores or holding the baby while you nap.
- Prioritize good sleep hygiene by avoiding caffeine, limiting electronic usage before bed, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.
