Evie Summers
Newborns sleep for around 14 to 18 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. It is recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket, with a firm, flat, and waterproof mattress. Baby sleeping bags can also be used to prevent babies from wriggling under their bedding and reducing the risk of SIDS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | Newborns sleep around 14-18 hours a day. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and wake up repeatedly to feed. |
| Safe sleeping environment | A cot or Moses basket in the same room as the parents for the first 6 months. |
| Mattress | Firm, flat, and waterproof. |
| Bedding | No pillows, duvets, or loose bedding. Use sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below the baby's shoulders or a baby sleeping bag. |
| Temperature | Keep the room temperature between 16-20°C. |
| SIDS prevention | Place the baby on their back to sleep, avoid co-sleeping, and keep the head uncovered. |
| Baby carriers | Slings and baby carriers should keep the baby close to the body. |
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Safe sleep environment
A newborn baby's sleep environment should be safe and comfortable. Here are some ways to create a safe sleep environment for your newborn:
Room-sharing: For the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, both during the night and for daytime naps. This arrangement reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sleep space: The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in your room. The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, fitting snugly in the cot without leaving any gaps where a baby's head could get stuck, reducing the risk of suffocation. It is recommended to buy a new mattress or use a stored one from your home, as long as it is clean, dry, smoke-free, and fire-resistant. If reusing a mattress, ensure it is not ripped or torn and has a fire-resistant label. Avoid using second-hand mattresses.
Sleep position: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their front or side. This sleeping position is recommended even for babies who need extra oxygen. The 'feet-to-foot' position is recommended, with the baby's feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket.
Temperature: Keep the room temperature between 16-20°C. Ensure your baby is not too hot or too cold. Check their chest, tummy, or neck to ensure they are not hot to the touch. Their hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal.
Bedding: Avoid loose bedding, pillows, duvets, and cot bumpers as they pose a risk of suffocation and overheating. Instead, use a well-fitted baby sleeping bag with the correct tog rating for the room temperature. Ensure the sleeping bag fits snugly around the baby's shoulders, preventing their head from slipping into the bag. Alternatively, you can use sheets and blankets tucked in firmly below the baby's shoulder level.
Other considerations:
- Avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke, drink, or take drugs or medications that make you drowsy.
- Do not co-sleep if your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight.
- Keep the baby's head uncovered.
- Avoid hats indoors, and do not cover their face or head while sleeping.
- Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners, wedges, or monitors.
- Ensure all sleep products meet safety standards.
- Keep the baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth.
- Breastfeed your baby if possible, as it lowers the risk of SIDS.
Remember, every baby is different, and their sleep patterns will vary. Newborns sleep around the clock, waking frequently to feed, regardless of the time of day or night.
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Cot safety
When preparing a cot for a newborn, it is important to keep in mind the various factors that can help create a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. Here are some guidelines for cot safety:
Room and Cot Sharing:
For at least the first 6 months, it is recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, both during the day and at night. This practice can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Having your baby sleep in a cot or Moses basket in your room is ideal. If you do share a bed with your baby, ensure that you are not extremely tired, and that your baby is healthy and does not have a fever or any signs of illness. Avoid co-sleeping if your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight.
Mattress and Bedding:
The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, and it is preferable to buy a new one. If you are reusing a mattress, ensure it has been stored in a clean, dry, and smoke-free environment. Check that your baby's head does not sink into the mattress by more than a few millimetres to prevent overheating. Avoid using pillows, cot bumpers, loose items, or soft bedding as they can increase the risk of SIDS. Baby sleeping bags or swaddling can be used instead of loose bedding, but ensure they fit well around the baby's shoulders.
Cot Setup:
For young babies, set the cot at the upper height, and for older babies, lower it to prevent falling. Ensure there are no bars, ledges, or footholds that a toddler could use to climb out. Check for safety warning statements when purchasing a cot, especially for portable folding cots, and ensure it meets the required safety standards.
Other Considerations:
Be mindful of the room temperature and adjust your baby's clothing accordingly. Keep the baby's feet at the base of the cot, and avoid placing them near the head of the cot, as this can cause overheating. Avoid using bassinets or sleeping pods/nests without safety standards, and transfer your baby to a cot as soon as they show signs of rolling.
Remember, creating a safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related accidents.
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Baby sleep patterns
Newborns sleep more than they are awake, and their sleep is mostly affected by the need to be fed. They will wake up when they are hungry, which is usually every one to three hours. Newborns also haven't fully developed a strong circadian rhythm, which is the 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. This is why they wake up several times during the night.
From about four to eight weeks, a baby's sleep starts to respond more to light and dark, rather than hunger. From about six months old, their sleep patterns will become more like those of adults, sleeping up to a total of 10 to 16 hours a day. During the day, they may sleep for two to four hours, with a longer sleep at night of up to 12 hours.
Babies' sleep cycles differ from adults' sleep cycles, with more 'active' or REM sleep. Adults' sleep cycles are usually about 90 minutes, whereas babies' sleep cycles are about 40 minutes, so they tend to wake up more often. As a baby grows, they will have less active sleep and more deep sleep.
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Co-sleeping
The Lullaby Trust reports that 9 in 10 parents co-sleep, but less than half know how to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS, especially if the baby falls asleep on a sofa or chair with their parent or carer.
If you are considering co-sleeping, it is important to be aware of the risks and take precautions to make the sleeping environment as safe as possible. Here are some recommendations for safe co-sleeping:
- Avoid co-sleeping if you are extremely tired, unwell, or have consumed alcohol.
- Avoid co-sleeping if your baby has a fever, any signs of illness, was born prematurely (before 37 weeks), or had a low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg or 5.5 lb).
- Keep pillows, adult bedding, and any other items that could cover the baby's head or cause them to overheat away from the baby.
- Use a firm mattress and minimal bedding.
- Never leave your baby alone in an adult bed.
- Do not bring other children or pets into bed with you.
- Ensure the baby cannot be trapped in the bed frame or headboard, or fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and the wall.
- Place the baby on their back, using the protective "C" position.
- Avoid co-sleeping on a sofa or armchair.
Remember, the safest place for a baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in their own sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket, in the same room as their parent or carer.
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Sleep aids
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and wake up repeatedly to feed, so it's important to be prepared for disturbed nights. To help your newborn sleep, you can try getting them into a simple, soothing bedtime routine, which can be a great opportunity for 1-to-1 time. Singing lullabies or using a wind-up musical mobile can also help.
For at least the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, both day and night, to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket, with no toys or anything else that could cover their mouth or nose, or make them too hot. The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, and the baby should be placed on their back to sleep.
Baby sleeping bags can help reduce the risk of SIDS as they prevent babies from wriggling under their bedding. Just make sure it fits well around the shoulders so there's no risk of your baby's head slipping into the bag. Depending on the room temperature, you can adjust your baby's clothing accordingly. There should be no other bedding.
If you use a baby sling or carrier, make sure you use it safely. The UK Sling Consortium recommends the "T.I.C.K.S. rules for safe babywearing": Tight – slings and carriers should be kept tight enough to hug your baby close to your body.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to eat. They need 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18 or 19 hours a day.
The safest place for a newborn to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as their caregiver for the first 6 months. The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, and the cot should meet British safety standards.
Newborns should be placed on their back to sleep, with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket. They should be kept warm with layers of blankets or a baby sleeping bag, but their head should not be covered.
Avoid letting your newborn get too hot or too cold. Do not use pillows, duvets, or loose bedding, as these can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Do not co-sleep with your newborn if you are extremely tired, or if your baby has a fever or any signs of illness.
