Daytime Sleep: Friend Or Foe For Newborns?

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 19 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. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night yet, so they sleep around the clock and wake every couple of hours to eat.

But should you let your newborn sleep during the day?

Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to feed every few hours—usually every 2-4 hours. This means they wake up a lot, and it can be hard for new parents to know how long and how often their newborn should sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that newborns get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.

In the first few months, newborns sleep in many short bursts of 30 minutes to three hours at a time. They'll then wake up to feed and stay awake for about two hours before falling asleep again. This is completely normal and an important part of a newborn's growth.

It's important to keep in mind that newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night. They 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. This is why they sleep around the clock and can confuse day and night.

To help your newborn develop a sense of day and night, keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to 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 to associate it with sleep.

Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping than those who have had enough sleep during the day. It's important to let your newborn sleep when they need to and to provide a safe and comfortable sleep environment.

Newborns wake every few hours to eat

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to be fed every few hours — whether it's day or night. They don't have a sense of day and night yet and will sleep whenever they're not hungry. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.

Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed very frequently, about once every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed a little less often, about every 3–4 hours.

Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. 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 fine to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.

If your baby is very sleepy during the day and you're struggling to wake them for feedings, contact your paediatrician.

It's important to note that each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some start to sleep "through the night" (for 5–6 hours at a time) by 2–3 months of age, but some don't. Most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) until at least 3 months of age, but this can vary a lot. Some babies don't sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.

Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to be fed often—about every 2-4 hours. They also need a lot of sleep, with the National Sleep Foundation recommending 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, so they sleep around the clock. They also don't have established sleep-wake rhythms. This means they wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.

• In the first few weeks, it's important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. 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.
• Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping than those who've had enough sleep during the day.
• If your newborn is fussy, it's okay to rock, cuddle, and sing to them as they settle down. Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can also help to soothe a crying baby.
• Newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness.
• You can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. Provide a dim and quiet environment at night.

It can take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to know the difference between night and day

It can be frustrating for new parents when their newborn sleeps during the day and is up all night. This is known as day-night confusion and is very common in newborns. It can take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to be able to tell the difference between night and day.

Newborns have just spent nine months in the womb, a dark, noisy, cushiony environment where their mother's movements rocked them to sleep during the day. They may continue this cycle once they are born, sleeping during the day and staying awake at night. In addition, newborns are still developing their internal clock, which will tell them when it is time to sleep. Their sleepy hormones are not yet regulated, and this won't happen until they are around 3-4 months old.

There are some things you can do to help your newborn adjust their sleep patterns:

• Start your day early, no later than 7:00-8:00 a.m.
• Offer full feedings during the day, rather than letting your baby snack throughout the day and night.
• Be intentional with your baby's wake windows during the day. Understand their wake windows and sleepy cues to ensure they are getting enough awake time without becoming overtired.
• Use light and darkness to your advantage. Exposing your baby to daylight during the day will help them stay awake and stimulate their brain. Using dim lights in the evening will cue your baby that it is time to sleep.

Safe sleep practices can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day. Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat and will generally sleep for 8-9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night.

Safe sleep practices are crucial to preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Here are some essential guidelines to follow:

Sleep Position

It is recommended to always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Sleeping on the back significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. This recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has contributed to a substantial decline in the rate of SIDS.

Sleep Surface

Use a firm, flat, and level sleep surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard. The surface should quickly return to its original shape if pressed on. Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet that fits snugly. Avoid soft surfaces such as couches, memory foam, or air mattresses, as they pose risks of entrapment, wedging, suffocation, or strangulation.

Avoid Bed-Sharing

While room-sharing is safe and recommended, bed-sharing with your infant is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Instead, place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom, following the AAP's room-sharing recommendation.

Keep the Sleep Area Clear

Remove all soft objects, toys, loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, crib bumpers, comforters, quilts, and any other items from your baby's sleep area. These items pose risks of suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation. The only item in the crib should be a fitted sheet covering the mattress.

Room Temperature and Dressing

To avoid overheating, dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature and avoid overbundling. Do not cover your baby's head while they sleep, and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.

Pacifier Use

Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If you are breastfeeding, introduce the pacifier after breastfeeding is well established. Research shows that pacifiers are especially beneficial in reducing SIDS risk in formula-fed babies.

Avoid Smoke Exposure

Keep your baby away from smokers and smoke-filled environments. Exposure to secondhand smoke significantly increases the risk of SIDS. Additionally, stay smoke- and vape-free during pregnancy, and ensure that anyone caring for the baby does not smoke or vape around them.

Regular Medical Care

During pregnancy, it is essential to seek regular medical care and follow your healthcare provider's advice on vaccines, checkups, and other health issues for the baby. Vaccinated babies are at a lower risk for SIDS.

Avoid Unsafe Products and Devices

Do not use products or devices that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing patterns. These products are not effective, and no known product can prevent SIDS.

Swaddling Precautions

Swaddling, or wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket, can help soothe a crying baby. However, avoid swaddling if your baby is 2 months or older or can roll over on their own. Swaddling a baby who can roll over increases the risk of SIDS if they end up on their stomach.

Frequently asked questions