Miya Pearson
Newborns sleep for around 14-17 hours every 24 hours, but they do so in short bursts of 2-4 hours as they have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently. Newborn sleep cycles are usually around 20-50 minutes long and consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move around, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. This is perfectly normal, but some noises may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress. Active sleep is also crucial for a newborn's brain development, as it is during this stage that the brain processes information and consolidates memories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep cycle duration | 20-50 minutes |
| Sleep cycle composition | Active sleep and quiet sleep |
| Active sleep composition | Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep |
| Active sleep duration | 25 minutes |
| Quiet sleep | Newborns are still with deep and regular breathing |
| Active sleep | Newborns move around a lot and make noises |
| Self-settling | Newborns learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up frequently to feed |
| Sleep position | On their backs on a firm, flat surface |
| Sleep environment | Free of loose bedding, pillows, and soft toys |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns spend roughly half of their sleep time in active sleep
Newborns typically sleep for 14-17 hours every 24 hours, in short bursts of 2-4 hours. This is because newborns have tiny stomachs and need to wake up to feed every few hours. Newborns also do not have established sleep-wake rhythms and do not know the difference between day and night.
Newborn sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long and consist of two types of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. Newborns spend roughly half of their sleep time in active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep in adults. During active sleep, newborns move around a lot and make noises like moaning, whimpering, and crying out. They may also open their eyes, breathe noisily or irregularly, and make sucking or rooting motions. Active sleep is important for a newborn's brain development, as it is during this stage that the brain processes information and consolidates memories, and the nervous system develops and matures.
During quiet sleep, newborns lie relatively still and their breathing is deep and regular. They are less likely to wake up during this time. It is normal for newborns to wake up between sleep cycles, and they may need help settling back to sleep. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves.
While most noises during active sleep are normal, some may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress. For example, if a newborn is struggling to breathe or is breathing faster than 60 breaths per minute, this may be cause for concern. It is important to ensure a newborn's sleep environment is safe, with a firm, flat surface to sleep on and no loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
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Noises and movements during active sleep
Newborns sleep in short bursts, with sleep cycles lasting around 20 to 50 minutes. Each cycle consists of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. They may also make grunting sounds, moan, or whimper, which is perfectly normal. This is because active sleep is similar to REM sleep in adults, but with a key difference: newborns' muscles are not paralysed during this stage, so they move around and make noise while sleeping.
While most noises during active sleep are normal, some may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress. For example, if your newborn is experiencing rapid breathing (greater than 60 breaths per minute), struggling to breathe, or making grunting sounds after every breath, this could be a sign of distress. In such cases, it is important to seek medical attention.
As newborns grow, their sleep cycles begin to shift towards more adult-like sleep stages, and the duration of active sleep decreases. By the time they are between 3 and 6 months old, they will be spending more time in deep sleep and less time in active REM sleep. Their overall sleep cycles will also lengthen, resulting in fewer disruptions.
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Active sleep is similar to REM sleep in adults
Active sleep in newborns is similar to REM sleep in adults in many ways. REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, is characterised by rapid eye movement, irregular breathing, elevated heart rate, and increased brain activity. During this stage, the brain repairs itself, processes emotional experiences, and transfers short-term memories into long-term memories. Similarly, newborns during active sleep may move around, make noises like grunts and cries, and even open their eyes.
Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep. As newborns, babies spend eight hours in REM sleep each day, while adults only need an average of two hours of REM sleep per night. This is because infants need more REM sleep when their brains are still developing.
While in active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. This is a normal part of their sleep cycle, which consists of active and quiet sleep. During quiet sleep, newborns lie relatively still and their breathing becomes more even. As they get older, they learn to settle themselves and fall back asleep during these sleep cycles.
Active sleep in newborns can be quite disruptive, as they may make a lot of noise and move around. However, it is important to note that not all noises during active sleep are cause for concern. Grunting, moaning, or whimpering are typical sounds that newborns make during this sleep stage. Nevertheless, some noises may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress, such as rapid breathing or struggling to breathe.
As newborns grow older, their sleep cycles begin to shift into more adult-like sleep stages. Around 3-5 months of age, active sleep decreases, and their sleep becomes more settled. By the age of 5, most children have settled into adult-like sleep cycles, although they still require more deep sleep than adults.
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Active sleep is crucial for a newborn's brain development
Active sleep is a typical sleep behaviour for newborns. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. Newborns spend about half of their sleeping time in active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep in adults.
Additionally, sleep helps to support healthy cognitive functioning, and a well-rested baby will be happier and less fussy. Sleep also plays a role in the development of critical abilities such as language, attention, and impulse control.
It is important to note that the lack of sleep can cause bigger problems down the road, including cognitive issues and developmental delays. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize a newborn's sleep and create positive sleep associations to support their overall growth and development.
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How to make active sleep less disruptive
Active sleep in newborns, also known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, is when a baby's brain is highly active. During this stage, newborns may twitch, move, or even make sounds such as grunting, moaning, or crying. While these behaviours can be concerning for new parents, they are a normal part of a newborn's sleep cycle and indicate a healthy sleep cycle.
Understand the difference between active sleep and being awake: It's important for parents to recognize the difference between active sleep and their baby being awake. During active sleep, newborns may move around, make noises, open their eyes, or cry out, but they are still asleep. If you mistake this active sleep period as your baby being awake and respond immediately, you may accidentally wake your baby.
Give your baby a moment: If you hear your baby making noises during active sleep, try pausing for a minute or two before responding. This gives your baby a chance to transition from active to quiet sleep and helps them develop healthy sleep habits.
Create a safe sleep environment: To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which can occur during active sleep, ensure your baby sleeps on their back on a firm mattress with a bare sleep surface, free from blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys.
Move the bassinet farther away: If your baby's active sleep is disrupting your own sleep, try moving the bassinet to the other side of the room or to a well-ventilated closet or bathroom. This can help reduce the amount of noise you hear from your baby during active sleep.
Use white noise: Set up a sound machine between you and your baby to help drown out the noises your baby makes during active sleep. This can make it easier for you to sleep through the disruptions.
Establish a bedtime routine: As your baby gets older, a consistent bedtime routine can help them sleep better. Avoid too much excitement and stimulation before bedtime, and incorporate calmer activities like reading.
Get help: Taking care of a newborn can be exhausting. Ask your partner, family, or friends to help with feedings or other tasks so you can get some rest. Remember that disturbed nights are common during the first few months, and it's important for you to get adequate sleep as well.
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Frequently asked questions
Active sleep is a normal and essential part of a newborn's sleep cycle. It is also known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, and it is a stage of sleep characterised by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and muscle tone changes.
During active sleep, newborns move around a lot and make noises such as grunting, moaning, or crying out. They may even open their eyes. Their breathing also becomes irregular and sometimes faster.
Newborns have shorter sleep cycles, with active sleep making up roughly 50% of each cycle. One full sleep cycle in a newborn 0-3 or 4 months old typically occurs in cycles of 20-50 minutes, with active sleep lasting around 25 minutes.
