Evie Summers
A one-month-old baby like Mai will sleep a lot, up to 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period. However, this will be in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. At this age, babies don't know the difference between day and night and don't have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. It's important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques may be hard to keep doing long-term, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep. This can create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep. You need to decide what is right for you and your family. A bedtime routine can be helpful for your baby to settle. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleeping hours in 24 hours | 12-19 |
| Sleeping hours at night | 8 |
| Longest continuous sleeping time | 1-2 hours |
| Longest continuous sleeping time after 2-3 months | 5-6 hours |
| Longest continuous sleeping time after 6 months | 6-8 hours |
| Sleeping cycles | 20-50 minutes |
| Sleeping position | On their back |
| Sleeping surface | Firm, flat, and free of any toys, pillows, blankets, etc. |
| Room-sharing | Recommended by AAP |
| Bed-sharing | Not recommended by AAP |
| Swaddling | OK until they start to roll |
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What You'll Learn
- A 1-month-old baby should sleep for 12 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period
- Newborns sleep in short bursts, typically 20 to 50 minutes long
- It's important to establish a bedtime routine to signal the end of the day
- Room-sharing is recommended for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- A baby's sleep schedule should be flexible, based on their nap lengths, wake windows, and feeding intervals
A 1-month-old baby should sleep for 12 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period
At this age, newborns generally sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.
To help your newborn learn to sleep more at night, you can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night. Additionally, you can start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Consistency is key, as your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
It is important to know that wake windows are simply typical ranges that vary from baby to baby. At one month, wake windows are around 50-90 minutes. This refers to the amount of time your baby is awake between one nap and the next.
It is also important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, may be hard to maintain in the long term. These can create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep.
Lastly, always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and keep soft objects and loose bedding away from your baby's sleep area to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Newborns sleep in short bursts, typically 20 to 50 minutes long
The first few months of a baby's life can be challenging for parents, with sleep deprivation a common issue. Newborns sleep in short bursts, typically 20 to 50 minutes long, and this is known as their sleep cycle. During this time, they alternate between active and quiet sleep. In active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. In quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. It is normal for newborns to wake between these sleep cycles, and as they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.
Newborns generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18 to 19 hours. They require frequent feedings, about every 2 to 4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. It is important to wake your baby to feed every 3 to 4 hours until they show good weight gain, which is usually within the first few weeks. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
In the first few months, newborns are still learning the difference between day and night. You can help them develop this rhythm by exposing them to light and gentle play during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night. It is important to keep things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, and to avoid playing or talking with your baby to reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
To create a safe sleep environment, always place your baby on their back to sleep, and use a firm, flat sleep surface covered with a snugly fitting sheet. Keep the crib or bassinet free from any toys, pillows, blankets, or other items that could pose a safety hazard. Additionally, dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and ensure that all sleep products meet safety standards.
While room-sharing is recommended for the first 6 months to 1 year, bed-sharing is not advised as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related dangers. Instead, place your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom to keep them nearby and facilitate feeding, comforting, and monitoring.
Each baby is unique, and it is important to be flexible and meet your baby's developmental needs. You can start to establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing, such as bathing, reading, or singing, which will help signal the end of the day. Consistency is key, and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.
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It's important to establish a bedtime routine to signal the end of the day
A one-month-old baby like Mai will sleep for around 14 to 17 hours over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, this can vary, with some newborns sleeping up to 18 or 19 hours a day. At this age, babies are still learning the difference between night and day.
It is important to establish a bedtime routine to signal the end of the day. This will help your baby learn the rhythm of day and night and get them ready for sleep. A routine will also help you by giving you a consistent way to calm your baby and get them ready for sleep.
You can start by creating a relaxing environment for your baby. Keep the lights low and the room quiet. You can bathe your baby, read to them, or sing to them. These activities can soothe your baby and signal that it is bedtime. You can also try swaddling your baby in a light blanket, which is safe until they start to roll over, usually at around three to four months old.
Consistency is key. By repeating these steps, your baby will soon associate them with sleeping. You can also help your baby learn the difference between night and day by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. At night, keep things calm and quiet, and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will reinforce the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is also important to make sure that your baby's sleep environment is safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months, and ideally until their first birthday. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and use a firm, flat sleep surface covered with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and keep soft objects and loose bedding away from your baby's sleep area to avoid the risk of suffocation.
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Room-sharing is recommended for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
The first few months of a baby's life can be challenging for parents, with sleep often disrupted. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, they wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed very frequently, about every 2–3 hours.
It is recommended that room-sharing without bed-sharing should be practised for at least the first six months, or ideally, until the baby's first birthday. This is because the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is highest during this period. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Room-sharing is when your baby has their own separate sleeping space, such as a bassinet, crib, or play yard, in the same room as their parents. This practice helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. It also helps the baby maintain regular heart and breathing rates, as babies tend to mimic their mothers' rates as they sleep. The noise and movement of the parent during sleep help keep the baby in the lighter stages of sleep, and SIDS is more common in the deeper stages.
To ensure a safe sleep environment, always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface, and cover the mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and keep soft objects like toys, pillows, and blankets away from the baby's sleep area. Dress your baby for the room temperature, and avoid covering their head while they sleep.
While room-sharing is recommended for reducing the risk of SIDS, it is important to note that it can lead to sleep deprivation for both parents and babies. Studies have shown that babies who room-share beyond four months are more likely to be pulled into their parents' beds, increasing the risk of SIDS. Additionally, room-sharing may result in more night wakings for infants and an increase in unsafe sleep practices. Therefore, it is essential to weigh the risks and benefits and make a decision based on what is best for your baby and your family.
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A baby's sleep schedule should be flexible, based on their nap lengths, wake windows, and feeding intervals
The first few months of a baby's life can be exhausting for parents, as their sleep patterns are still developing. Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and they don't know the difference between day and night. They generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18 to 19 hours a day.
At one month old, your baby is constantly learning about the world, which can sometimes make sleep difficult. They may experience day-night confusion, wanting to sleep all day and stay awake at night. It's important to remember that each baby is unique, and their sleep schedule should be flexible, taking into account their individual nap lengths, wake windows, and feeding intervals.
- Be responsive to hunger cues and aim for feedings about every 2-3 hours throughout the day. This will help your baby get good, full feedings instead of snacking, which can make nighttime sleep tricky.
- Expose your baby to light and gently play with them during the day. This will help them learn the difference between day and night.
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Use dim lighting to send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day.
- Be consistent with your bedtime routine so that your baby soon associates these steps with sleeping.
- Place your baby in a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a snugly fitting sheet. Keep the sleep area free of plush toys, pillows, blankets, and other items that could pose a safety hazard.
- Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Do not cover your baby's head while they are sleeping.
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it.
- Remember that your baby's sleep schedule may be unpredictable, and that's okay! Focus on meeting their needs and creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Sleep Foundation says infants up to three months old should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. However, there is a wide range of normal.
A wake window is the amount of time your baby is awake between one nap and the next. At one month, these are usually around 50–90 minutes.
You should wake them and offer a feed. Prioritising daytime calories helps babies get on track with their days and nights and stay on their growth curve.
Some babies like to be swaddled, and this is OK until they start to roll, usually when they're three to four months old.
Expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. Provide a dim and quiet environment at night.
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