Miya Pearson
Newborns have very different sleep patterns from adults. They sleep up to 18 hours a day, spending roughly half of that time in REM sleep, also known as dream sleep, and the other half in non-REM sleep. In the first few hours after falling asleep, newborns enter deep non-REM sleep, which is why they sleep so soundly and are rarely disturbed during this time. After this, they experience more REM sleep and light non-REM sleep, during which they are more likely to wake up. Newborns also experience active sleep, during which they move around and might jerk or twitch, and quiet sleep, during which they are still and breathe evenly. These sleep cycles last about 40 minutes, and newborns may need help getting back to sleep after waking up at the end of a cycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleep stages | 2 |
| Sleep stages | REM/active and NREM/quiet |
| Sleep cycles | 40 minutes |
| Sleep hours | 14-17 hours in every 24 hours |
| REM sleep | 50% of their sleep time |
| NREM sleep | 50% of their sleep time |
| Alertness during sleep cycles | Quiet alert phase, Active alert phase, Crying phase |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns experience two sleep stages: REM and non-REM
REM sleep, or "rapid eye movement" sleep, is characterised by the movement of the eyes flickering from side to side underneath closed eyelids. It is also known as "dream sleep". Newborns enter REM sleep almost immediately after falling asleep, as opposed to adults, who do not experience REM sleep until about 90 minutes after falling asleep.
Non-REM sleep, or "quiet sleep", is when the baby is still and does not make many movements. It consists of deep sleep and light sleep. Children who are in deep sleep are harder to wake, while those in light sleep wake up more easily. Newborns experience more non-REM sleep in the first few hours after falling asleep, which is why they sleep so soundly during this time and are rarely disturbed by external factors.
As newborns grow older, their sleep schedules and cycles change. They experience less REM sleep as they grow and sleep for fewer hours. By the time they are about five years old, their "sleep architecture", or the time spent in each sleep stage, starts to resemble that of adults.
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REM sleep is when a baby's eyes move rapidly
Sleep is composed of two main states: REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly behind closed eyelids, and the brain actively processes information acquired during waking hours. REM sleep is also sometimes called "active sleep" because the body is active in this state, even though it is still asleep.
A newborn baby's sleep cycle falls into the two categories of REM/active and non-REM/quiet. Newborns spend roughly equal amounts of time in REM and non-REM sleep, with REM sleep dominating their sleep cycles. From birth to three months, 40 to 50% of a baby's sleep time is made up of REM sleep, and when babies fall asleep, they spend about 20 minutes in REM before dropping into non-REM sleep. In contrast, adults typically spend only 15-20% of their sleep time in the REM stage.
The sleep cycles of newborns are very different from those of adults. Newborns sleep for about 20 hours a day, but only for 2-3 hours at a time. During the first year, overall sleep duration falls to around 15 hours, and the majority of sleep becomes consolidated at night as circadian rhythms develop. The sleep cycles of newborns are shorter than those of adults, lasting around 60 minutes, compared to the 90 minutes of an adult sleep cycle.
REM sleep is important for a baby's development, as it is believed to be linked to the development of coping mechanisms and the formation of neural connections. During REM sleep, babies wake easily, while non-REM sleep is often referred to as the "floppy baby" stage, during which babies can be easily moved without waking.
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Non-REM sleep consists of deep and light sleep
Sleep is a body process that allows the body to rest, repair, and restore itself. A good night's sleep is essential for one's health and well-being. Lack of sleep has been linked to many health issues.
Non-REM sleep, also known as NREM sleep, consists of deep and light sleep. It is during the non-REM sleep stages that the deepest sleep occurs. The non-REM sleep stages are distinguished by brain waves. Stage 1 (NREM 1) is characterised by alpha waves and low-amplitude mixed-frequency activity. Stage 2 is still light sleep but is deeper than stage 1, with noticeable pauses between short bursts of brain activity. Stage 3 is deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, and is the deepest and most crucial sleep stage.
Newborns spend roughly 50% of their sleep time in REM sleep, which gradually decreases as they grow older. Newborns experience two sleep stages, REM and non-REM, and it is only around three months of age that they begin experiencing the same four sleep stages that adults do.
During non-REM sleep, the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system. This stage is also when the body relaxes fully and repairs itself. The deepest NREM sleep is important for feeling rested and staying healthy. It is harder to wake someone up from this sleep stage, and if they do wake up, they may experience sleep inertia, a state of confusion or mental fog.
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Newborns sleep up to 18 hours a day, with up to nine hours of REM sleep
Newborns have two types of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns move around and may exhibit jerking, twitching, or sucking motions. This is also known as REM sleep, during which the eyes move rapidly beneath closed eyelids. REM sleep is sometimes called dream sleep. In contrast, during quiet sleep, or non-REM sleep, the baby is still and breathes evenly.
The sleep cycles of newborns differ from those of adults. While adults experience four distinct sleep stages, newborns have only two sleep stages: REM and non-REM. As newborns grow older, their sleep schedules and cycles change. The amount of REM sleep decreases as they start sleeping fewer hours overall. By the time they reach adulthood, people typically experience REM sleep for only about 20% of their nightly sleep.
Newborns sleep on and off during the day and night, with sleep cycles lasting about 40 minutes. They may wake up after each cycle and need help getting back to sleep. Establishing regular daytime and bedtime routines can help newborns develop healthier sleep habits and sleep more at night. Exposing them to light and playing with them during the day, as well as creating a positive bedtime routine, can help them settle more easily.
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Establishing a routine can help newborns sleep more at night
Newborns sleep up to 18 hours a day, usually in short bursts of 2-3 hours between feeds. They don't know the difference between day and night, so it's important to teach them. During the day, keep the lights on, open the windows, and do activities with more energy. At night, keep the lights low and do things more slowly and quietly. You can expose them to light and play with them during the day to help them sleep more at night.
Babies crave consistency, so creating a routine for naptime and bedtime can be very helpful. The routine doesn't need to be complicated, just do the same thing at the same time every day. For example, you can turn down the lights, start some soft music or white noise, quietly change your baby's diaper, read a story, give the baby a soothing bath, or rub their arms and legs like a massage. It can take several weeks for your baby to get used to this routine, so be patient and consistent.
It's also important to watch your baby's cues and respond accordingly. For instance, if your baby shows signs of tiredness after a feed, it's time for a nap, even if you haven't played much. If your baby seems hungry after playing, offer another feed before settling them for sleep. A full tummy will help them sleep better. If your baby is having trouble sleeping or you need advice on establishing a routine, don't hesitate to speak to your doctor or a maternal child health nurse.
As your baby grows, their sleep patterns will change, and they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep longer. Be prepared to adjust your routine as your baby enters different stages of development. Remember, growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep, so flexibility is key.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns enter deep sleep in the first few hours after falling asleep. This is non-REM sleep, where the baby is still and breathes evenly.
Newborns sleep for 14-17 hours every 24 hours. They sleep in cycles of about 40 minutes, alternating between active and quiet sleep.
During active sleep, newborns move around and may jerk, twitch, or suck. During quiet sleep, newborns are still and breathe evenly.
Establish regular daytime and bedtime routines. Expose your newborn to light and play with them during the day, and create a positive bedtime routine to help them settle at night.
