Evie Summers
Sleep is a crucial aspect of a newborn's development, and understanding their sleep patterns and needs is essential for new parents. Newborns typically sleep more than they are awake, averaging around 18 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. However, each baby has a unique sleep pattern, and some may start sleeping through the night (5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months, while others may take longer. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, such as a warm bath, gentle massage, lullabies, or story time, can help newborns relax and prepare for sleep. It is important to prioritize safe sleep practices to protect infants from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related hazards. This includes always placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat surface without pillows or blankets, and ensuring that all sleep products meet safety standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep for longer stretches and should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night. |
| Sleep position | Babies should be put to sleep flat on their back on a firm, flat surface until their first birthday. Tummy sleeping puts them at risk of suffocation and SIDS. Once they can roll over on their own, it's fine to let them sleep that way. |
| Safe sleep environment | Avoid co-sleeping and use a separate bassinet or crib that meets CPSC guidelines. Avoid products that aren't designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. Ensure the sleep surface is approved by the CPSC and meets safety standards. |
| Bedtime routine | A consistent bedtime routine is important to help newborns relax and feel ready for sleep. Activities like a warm bath, massage, lullabies, or story time can signal that it's time for sleep. |
| Daytime naps | Aim for wake windows of 60-90 minutes and avoid letting naps go longer than 2 hours during the day. |
| Sleep schedule | Newborns follow their own schedule, and 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 to reinforce the difference. |
| Sleep duration variation | The range of normal sleep patterns for newborns is quite wide, and each baby is different. Some may start sleeping through the night (5-6 hours) by 2-3 months, while others may take longer. |
| Safe sleep practices | Be cautious of products claiming to reduce the risk of SIDS. Swaddling can be done until the baby is around 2 months old or shows signs of rolling over. It helps recreate the feeling of being held and prevents startling. |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep practices to prevent SIDS
It is crucial to prioritize your newborn's safety, especially when it comes to their sleep. Here are some safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and promote healthy sleep habits:
- Sleep Position: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, whether it's nighttime or nap time. Sleeping on the back is associated with a lower risk of SIDS compared to sleeping on the stomach or side. This recommendation applies to all babies, including those born prematurely or with reflux, until they are one year old. Once your baby can roll both ways, you can let them sleep in the position they choose as long as they start on their back.
- Safe Sleep Environment: Ensure that the sleep surface, such as a mattress, and the sleep space, such as a crib or bassinet, meet the required safety standards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets these standards to prevent injuries and death. Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as wedges, sleep positioners, or monitors, as they are often ineffective and may even be dangerous.
- Avoid Sleep Aids: Do not let your baby sleep on devices like car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers that are not designed for sleeping. Additionally, refrain from using weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles around your newborn. Swaddling with a light blanket can be soothing for young babies, but it's important to use appropriate techniques and materials to avoid overheating or restricting movement.
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: Newborns typically sleep a lot during the day, but it's important to establish a consistent sleep schedule. Avoid letting naps exceed two hours during the day, and aim for wake windows of 60-90 minutes. At night, ensure your baby is fed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, after which longer stretches of sleep are okay.
- Nighttime Routine: Help your baby distinguish between day and night by keeping the environment calm and quiet during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low, and avoid playing or talking to send the message that night is for sleeping. Encourage your baby to fall asleep in their crib at night to associate it with sleep.
Remember, the first few months can be challenging for parents as you adjust to your newborn's sleep patterns. Prioritize safety, follow professional advice, and don't be afraid to reach out to your healthcare provider or pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
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How to get your newborn to sleep independently
While it is perfectly normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day, it is also common for them to only sleep when held. However, this can get in the way of your sleep and alone time, and it is important to establish healthy sleep habits early on to set you and your child up for better nights as they get older.
Firstly, ensure your baby is getting enough activity during the day. In between naps, make time for play and physical activities such as crawling, cruising, and bouncing. A tired baby will sleep more soundly than one who hasn't had enough stimulation.
Secondly, avoid rocking your baby to sleep or waiting until they are asleep before putting them in their crib. Instead, place your baby in their crib when they are drowsy but still awake, allowing them to fall asleep independently. If your baby starts to fuss, let them try to fall asleep on their own. If the crying continues for several minutes, you can go into their room, but avoid turning on the lights, picking them up, or playing with them.
Thirdly, be mindful of the sleep environment. Keep the lights low during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, and avoid playing or talking with your baby to signal that nighttime is for sleeping. Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products are specifically designed for sleeping babies and meet safety standards. For example, do not use products that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing.
Additionally, you can try swaddling your baby and using white noise to soothe them and activate their calming reflex. Offer a pacifier if they are not nursing, as sucking can be calming. Once they are asleep, lay them down safely on their back in their bassinet.
Remember, it may take several weeks for your baby to learn to put themselves back to sleep, so stick with it and be patient. Each baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to seek professional advice if needed.
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Creating a bedtime routine
The first few months of a baby's life can be the hardest for parents, who may have to wake up multiple times at night to tend to their baby. Each baby has a different sleep pattern, and it may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to learn the difference between night and day.
- Consistency is key: Establish a set pattern and follow the same reassuring bedtime routine every night. This could include activities that your baby finds soothing, such as reading a book or singing a lullaby.
- Start early: Begin your bedtime routine early enough in the evening so you have time to get through the sequence before your baby's ideal bedtime. Most babies (older than 4 months) naturally lull between 7:00-8:00 pm, but some newborns may do better with earlier or later bedtimes.
- Wind-down time: Help your baby wind down by creating a calm and quiet environment. 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 to send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Full wake window: Ensure your baby has a full wake window before bed. Being overtired or not tired enough can make falling asleep difficult.
- Nutrition, hygiene, communication, and physical contact: These are the four main components recommended by experts to include in your bedtime routine. This includes nursing or bottle-feeding, bath time, oral care, skin care, reading, singing, cuddling, and baby massage.
- Avoid sleep crutches: Some parents worry that their baby will become reliant on sleep crutches, such as swaddling, white noise, or a pacifier. While there's no rush to ditch these from your baby's bedtime routine, swaddling should be stopped as soon as your baby can roll to their belly, as it becomes a SIDS risk factor.
- Be flexible: Your baby will be okay if you miss part or all of the routine occasionally or need to shorten it due to exhaustion or other commitments. It's also important to listen to your baby's cues and make sure you have enough energy to follow through with the routine.
Remember, it's never too late to start a bedtime routine, and it's all about finding what works best for you and your baby.
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How much sleep does a newborn need
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours in a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. Newborns wake up every couple of hours to be fed. Breastfed babies feed about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less often, about every 3-4 hours. Newborns should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours 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.
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Sleep cycles consist of active and quiet sleep. During active sleep, a newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even.
It may take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to develop a sense of night and day. To help your baby develop this sense, keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
It's important to prioritize safe sleep practices for your newborn. Always place your baby to sleep on their back, never on their stomach or side. Make sure all sleep surfaces are firm, flat, and free of soft toys, blankets, pillows, and bumpers. Additionally, only use sleep products that have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
While it's tempting to compare your baby's sleep patterns with those of other newborns, remember that each baby has a unique sleep schedule. Some newborns start to sleep through the night (5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months of age, while others may take longer. If you have concerns about your baby's sleep, don't hesitate to consult your pediatrician or a newborn sleep specialist.
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Safe sleep environments
Sleep Surfaces and Products:
Use a firm, flat surface approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that meets federal safety standards. Ensure your baby sleeps on their back, as tummy sleeping increases the risk of suffocation and SIDS. Avoid co-sleeping, and keep your baby in their own bassinet, crib, or playard, positioned in your room for the first six months. Avoid letting your baby sleep on couches, armchairs, recliners, or pillows.
Swaddling and Comfort:
Swaddling your newborn in a light blanket can provide a sense of security and prevent startling. However, stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over or around two months. Avoid using weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles.
Safe Sleep Practices:
Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help your baby relax and associate certain activities with sleep. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing. Be cautious of overheating, which can disturb sleep. Keep the room calm and quiet, with low lighting, to encourage nighttime sleep.
Napping and Feeding:
Keep daytime naps to 2 hours, and aim for wake windows of 60-90 minutes. Offer daytime feedings every 2-3 hours and ensure your baby gets enough calories. In the early weeks, wake your baby every 3-4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain. As they grow, they'll need fewer night feeds and will sleep longer.
Avoiding Sleep Hazards:
Be cautious of products that may pose a danger, such as pillows and blankets in your bed. Additionally, avoid inclined sleepers, which have been recalled due to infant deaths. Ensure your baby cannot fall off the sleep surface, and no one will accidentally roll onto them.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns and needs may vary. Always consult your doctor if you have concerns about your baby's sleep or development.
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Frequently asked questions
Most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake, and their total daily sleep can be around 18 hours. However, the range of what is normal is quite wide, and each baby has a different sleep pattern.
Wake your baby every 3-4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.
Always put your baby to sleep flat on their back on a firm, flat surface at naptime and bedtime until their first birthday. Tummy sleeping puts infants at risk of suffocation or overheating and increases the chance of SIDS.
Safe sleep practices for newborns include always putting your baby to sleep on their back without bumpers, stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. Additionally, for at least the first 6 months, your baby should be in the same room as you when they're asleep, both day and night, to reduce the risk of SIDS. You can also swaddle your baby until they are around 2 months old or when they show signs of being able to roll over to provide a sense of security and prevent startling.
