Evie Summers
Newborns generally sleep between 11 and 17 hours a day, but this is usually spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night. There is no universal answer to whether a 1-month-old should sleep all day, as every baby is unique and their sleep patterns depend on various factors such as when they wake, how long they nap, and individual cues. However, it is important to prioritize daytime calories to help babies get on track with their days and nights, and to establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing. It is also recommended to expose newborns to light and gently play with them during the day to help them develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or circadian rhythm. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and that the baby's sleeping environment is comfortable and safe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much sleep should a 1-month-old get? | 11-17 hours a day, including naps |
| How long should their naps be? | 20 minutes to 2 hours |
| How long should their night sleep be? | 5-8 hours at a time |
| How often should they wake up at night? | Every 2-4 hours |
| What should their bedtime be? | 7-10 pm |
| How can you establish a healthy sleep routine? | Expose them to light and play with them during the day; keep the nights dim and quiet; create a bedtime routine with bathing, reading, soft music, etc.; avoid stimulation or activity close to bedtime; use white noise, swaddling, and motion to soothe them to sleep |
| What are some safety tips for sleep? | Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet; keep the room temperature comfortable (68-72°F); dress the baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle; don't cover their head while sleeping; avoid hazards like cords, ties, ribbons, and sharp objects; don't smoke around the baby; place the baby on their back to sleep |
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What You'll Learn
- A 1-month-old baby should sleep 12-16 hours in a 24-hour period
- Naps can vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours
- Establish a bedtime routine with soothing activities like bathing and reading
- Prioritise daytime calories to help your baby sleep longer at night
- To help your baby develop an internal clock, expose them to light during the day and keep their room dim at night
A 1-month-old baby should sleep 12-16 hours in a 24-hour period
A 1-month-old baby should sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, this sleep is typically spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, and newborns sleep in short bursts known as sleep cycles. Sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and it is common for naps to be anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night and need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, or circadian rhythm. You can help your baby develop this rhythm by exposing them to bright or sunny spaces during the day and removing bright lights at night. When your baby wakes up at night for a feeding, try to avoid talking or playing, and keep the mood calm and quiet so your baby learns that nighttime is for sleep.
It is important to use a sleep routine that prioritises your newborn’s feeding needs, rather than trying to establish a strict sleeping routine. The average newborn cries and fusses for almost three hours a day until around 3 to 6 months of age, and crying is their main way of communicating. From approximately 2 weeks to 3-4 months of age, newborns go through a stage of increased crying, which peaks around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
To help your baby sleep, you can try white noise, swaddling, and motion, as these mimic the soothing sensations babies experience in the womb and trigger what’s known as the calming reflex. You can also try bathing, reading, and singing, which can soothe babies and signal an end to the day. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep have been approved by the relevant safety authorities.
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Naps can vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours
It is important to remember that every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to their sleep schedules. The first few months of a baby's life are a critical period for their development, and their sleep patterns will vary quite a bit each day.
However, if your 1-month-old baby is napping for two hours, it is generally advised to gently wake them and offer a feeding. Prioritizing daytime calories is essential to ensure your baby is getting the proper nutrition and to help regulate their days and nights. Longer naps during the day may result in reduced daytime eating, leading to increased hunger at night. Additionally, keeping your baby up past their ideal bedtime may cause them to become fussy and overtired.
It is also important to establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. This could include bathing, reading, singing, or playing soft music. Consistency is key, as your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping. It is recommended to place your baby in their crib or bassinet while they are drowsy but still awake, as this will help them learn to fall asleep on their own.
Remember, the information provided is meant to serve as a guide, and it is always best to consult with your pediatrician to determine what is normal and necessary for your baby's sleep needs.
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Establish a bedtime routine with soothing activities like bathing and reading
A one-month-old baby should not sleep all day. During the newborn stage, babies sleep very frequently, and it is common for naps to last anywhere from 20 minutes to 120 minutes. However, it is important to wake a one-month-old baby if they nap for two hours, and offer a feeding. Prioritizing daytime calories helps babies get on track with their days and nights and promotes a longer stretch of sleep at night.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that infants up to three months old should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Many infants in this age range will have settled into a daily sleep routine of 2-3 naps during the day, followed by a longer "sleeping through the night" stretch after a late-night feeding. At this stage, “sleeping through the night” typically means sleeping for 5 or 6 hours at a time.
To establish a bedtime routine with soothing activities, it is important to be patient and flexible, as newborn sleep patterns are erratic. The ideal bedtime routine will last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on your baby's temperament and daily activities. Here are some tips for creating a bedtime routine with soothing activities like bathing and reading:
- 45 minutes to one hour before sleep: Give your baby a bath, followed by a clean diaper and lotion.
- Include soothing activities such as reading and singing as part of the bedtime routine. These activities can signal the end of the day and help your baby relax.
- Be consistent with your bedtime routine. Your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
- If your baby wakes up during the night, keep activity to a minimum. Unless you think your baby is hungry or ill, observe what happens if you leave them alone for a few minutes, as they might settle down.
- Some babies like to be swaddled (wrapped in a light blanket). This is generally safe until they start to roll over, which typically happens around 3-4 months of age.
- If you rock your baby to sleep, they may expect to be rocked back to sleep after nighttime awakenings. Instead, try putting your baby in a crib or bassinet while they are drowsy but still awake, so they can learn to fall asleep independently.
- Ensure that your baby's sleep environment is safe and clutter-free. Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet, and avoid placing plush toys, pillows, blankets, or other items in the crib or bassinet.
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and do not cover their head while sleeping.
- Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it.
Remember, every baby is unique, and it is important to follow your baby's lead and adapt the bedtime routine as they achieve new developmental milestones.
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Prioritise daytime calories to help your baby sleep longer at night
It is important to understand that newborns cannot tell the difference between day and night. They need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, also known as a "circadian rhythm", that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.
During the first month, it is common for naps to last anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. If your one-month-old is napping for two hours, it is recommended to wake them and offer a feeding. Prioritising daytime calories helps babies get on track with their days and nights, stay on their growth curve, and work towards longer stretches of sleep at night.
Breastfed newborns need to eat at least 10 to 12 times a day. If your baby is not getting enough, they will likely let you know all night long. To help keep your baby full and sleeping at night, feed them every 1.5 to 2 hours during the day for the first few months. If your baby is still sleeping at the two-hour mark, it is recommended to wake them up for a feed. Both of these actions should help your baby get longer stretches of sleep at night.
Full feedings allow for adequate daytime calories, which, in turn, allow for more consolidated sleep at night. When a baby wakes up at night, the quickest way to help them back to sleep is often by offering a feeding. However, because they have had so many night feedings, they likely won't eat well the next day. This can lead to a vicious cycle of more calories being consumed at night than during the day. As your baby gets older, they may become too interested in the world around them to sit still for a full feeding during the day, resulting in fewer daytime calories and more night wakings due to hunger.
To help your baby develop an internal clock, expose them to natural outdoor light during the day, especially in the morning. This will help regulate your baby's melatonin, the hormone that makes them sleepy. Experts agree that morning and early afternoon light help a child's brain better identify when they should sleep and when they should wake.
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To help your baby develop an internal clock, expose them to light during the day and keep their room dim at night
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 17 hours a day in their first year. However, this sleep is spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, especially during the first few months. In fact, newborns don't know the difference between day and night and need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm" that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.
To help your baby develop an internal clock, expose them to bright or sunny spaces during the day and keep their room dim at night. You can also gently play with them during the day and keep the mood calm and quiet at night so your baby learns that nighttime is for sleep, not activities.
Additionally, you can start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Some babies like to be swaddled (wrapped in a light blanket). This is OK until they start to roll (usually when they're 3 to 4 months old). Be consistent and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns will depend on when they wake, how long they nap, and individual cues. During the newborn months, it's normal and expected for naps to vary quite a bit each day. Rather than worrying about the perfect number of hours, follow your baby's lead and watch for sleepy cues.
At around 3 months of age, babies may start to learn the rhythm of day and night and even "sleep through the night," which means 5 or 6 hours at a time.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, newborns sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, there is no universal answer, and the range of normal sleep is very wide.
Naps can vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours. If your baby is napping for 2 hours, it's recommended to wake them and offer a feed to ensure they are getting enough calories during the day.
Some 1-month-olds do best with an early bedtime of 7:00-8:00 pm, while others are content with a later bedtime of 8:00-10:00 pm. It's important to find what works best for your baby.
Here are some tips to help your baby sleep better:
- Establish a bedtime routine, such as bathing, reading, or playing soft music.
- Expose your baby to light and gentle play during the day to help them develop an internal clock.
- Keep the sleeping environment calm and quiet at night, with a comfortable temperature of around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a snug-fitting sheet, and avoid placing any soft objects or loose bedding in the crib or bassinet.
