Newborn Sleep: All-Day Naps, What's Normal?

Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 19 hours a day, waking only for feedings every few hours. They don't yet have a sense of day and night, so it's common for newborns to sleep most of the day and be awake at night. This is known as day/night confusion. Circadian rhythms develop within the first few months of life, with sleep starting to accumulate at night. You can help your newborn adjust by exposing them to light and playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night.

Newborns don't have a circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night

Newborns Don't Have a Circadian Rhythm

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. They sleep whenever they can, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long, they wake up frequently to eat. This is completely normal, and 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.

How to Help Your Newborn Develop a Circadian Rhythm

Since newborns don't produce and secrete melatonin when they are born, they can't differentiate between night and day. However, there are a few things you can do from birth to support the development of a circadian rhythm:

• Ensure your baby is exposed to plenty of daylight and normal everyday activities. This may help your baby develop melatonin production and, consequently, a circadian rhythm more quickly.
• Open the curtains, turn on the radio, and keep the home "going" during the day.
• Keep a regular morning routine, as well as a regular evening routine.
• Breastfed babies receive small amounts of melatonin through breast milk during the evening and night hours, as well as corresponding amounts of cortisol (the daytime activity hormone) in the milk produced during the day. This is why it's important that the baby gets "evening milk" at bedtime and "day milk" during the day.
• Keep your baby in bright or sunny spaces during the day and remove bright lights at night.
• When your baby wakes up at night for a feeding, try to avoid talking or playing. Keep the mood calm and quiet so your baby learns that nighttime is for sleep, not activities.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually 20 to 50 minutes long

Sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns 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 is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.

Newborns' sleep cycles are different from those of older babies and adults. Newborns spend around 50% of their sleep in REM sleep, while older children and adults spend much less time in this stage of sleep. REM sleep is light sleep, during which dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly. Non-REM sleep, on the other hand, is deeper sleep.

While it is normal for newborns to sleep in short bursts, it is important to ensure they are getting enough sleep overall. 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.

If you are concerned that your newborn is sleeping too much or too little, it is best to consult a pediatrician or healthcare professional.

Newborns need to be fed every few hours, so they usually sleep in short periods

Newborns need to be fed regularly, so they usually sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles. These sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns sleep for around 8–9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night. They wake up at least every 3 hours to feed.

Newborns have tiny stomachs that don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, so they need to be fed every few hours. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours.

It's important to ensure that newborns are getting enough calories during the day so that they don't look to feed all night. Feeding regularly during the day will also ensure they don't sleep too much, which can interfere with the stimulation they need for growth.

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. Their sleep patterns can be confusing, with some sleeping more during the day and being more awake at night. This is known as "day/night confusion" or having "days and nights reversed".

To help newborns develop a sense of day and night, it's recommended to expose them to light and play with them gently during the day, creating a bright and entertaining environment. At night, keep the lights dim and the environment quiet.

Newborns sleep for around 8-9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, and they don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. Their sleep patterns are irregular, and they sleep in short bursts of 1-3 hours at a time. This is because they need to feed every few hours, as their tiny stomachs can't hold enough milk to keep them satisfied for long.

It's important to establish a healthy sleep environment for newborns. This includes exposing them to light and gentle play during the day and keeping the nights dim and quiet. Newborns should also be put to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface without any soft toys or loose bedding, as these can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

While it's normal for newborns to sleep a lot, sometimes they may sleep too much, which can interfere with their growth and development. If a newborn is sleeping well above the recommended amount, is sleepier than usual, or is difficult to wake, it may be a sign of an underlying issue, and it's recommended to consult a pediatrician.

If your newborn sleeps all day, try to stimulate them with brighter lights, more noise and talking during the day

Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 19 hours a day, waking only for feeding every few hours. In the first few months of their life, newborns do not have a sense of day and night, and so they may sleep during the day and stay awake at night. This is known as "day/night confusion".

If your newborn sleeps all day, you can try to stimulate them with brighter lights, more noise, and talking during the day. This can help them learn the difference between day and night and jump-start their internal clock. Here are some specific strategies to try:

• Expose your baby to sunlight in the morning when they first wake up.
• Make sure your baby's naps are in a bright and loud environment so that they are exposed to more light during the day and don't sleep for too long.
• If their naps are approaching 2 hours, wake them up. Too much daytime sleep can lead to more awake time at night.
• Feed your baby regularly during the day (every 2-3 hours) to ensure they are getting enough calories and nutrients.
• Keep the nights dark and quiet, using a dim light for night feedings.
• Do a bedtime routine, as this can help trigger your baby's body for sleep and encourage them to understand that the sleep that comes after the routine is different from daytime naps.

Remember, helping your baby learn the difference between day and night is not sleep training. It is normal for newborns to sleep a lot, and they will gradually develop a sense of day and night within the first few months of life.

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