Evie Summers
Establishing healthy sleep habits for your newborn is important for their growth and development. Newborns generally sleep between 12 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours, as they need to be fed frequently. During the first few months, newborns will invariably wake up multiple times at night, and it is normal for them to not have established sleep-wake rhythms yet. However, you can start teaching them the difference between night and day from the first few weeks. Creating a soothing and consistent bedtime routine, providing a comfortable sleep environment, and watching for sleepiness cues are all ways to promote healthy sleep habits in your newborn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total sleep time | 12-19 hours in a 24-hour period |
| Daytime sleep | 8-9 hours |
| Nighttime sleep | 8 hours |
| Feeding | Feed the baby every 2-4 hours |
| Sleep cycles | 20-50 minutes long |
| Sleep environment | Dark and quiet room |
| Sleep position | On their back |
| Sleep surface | Crib or bassinet |
| Bedtime routine | Cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding |
| Sleep associations | Soft music, dim lights |
| Room-sharing | Recommended for the first 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep a lot, but not for long
Newborns sleep a lot—generally around 12 to 18 hours a day. However, they wake up frequently and only sleep for short periods of 2 to 4 hours at a time. This is because they have a small stomach, so they need to wake up every few hours to feed. They also don't yet have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day.
During the first few months of a baby's life, parents often get up many times during the night to tend to their newborn. Newborns invariably wake up repeatedly during the night for the first few months, and these disturbed nights can be challenging to cope with. It is important to remember that all babies change their sleep patterns as they grow and enter different stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.
To help your newborn sleep, experts suggest adopting soothing and consistent daily habits. It is important to create positive sleep associations and a bedtime routine. For example, playing soft music, dimming the lights, or gently rocking them can help signal that it is time for bed. During the day, it is beneficial to expose your baby to light and sound to help them learn the difference between day and night. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night to reinforce this distinction.
Additionally, it is important to watch for sleepiness cues and put your baby to bed before they become overtired. An exhausted baby will have more trouble falling and staying asleep. It is also crucial to prioritize your newborn's feeding needs and ensure they are gaining weight, rather than trying to establish a strict sleeping routine.
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Babies don't know the difference between night and day
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. They don't have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. In fact, newborns are adjusting to life outside the dark, noisy womb, and it can take a while for them to settle into their regular sleep patterns. This can lead to day and night confusion, when a baby sleeps when they’re supposed to be awake and stays up all night instead.
Day-night confusion can happen as soon as babies are born, and some parents may notice this sleep pattern when their baby is a few weeks old. By the time your baby reaches 6-8 weeks of age, they usually outgrow this day-night confusion as their biological clock begins to develop naturally and their bodies begin producing higher levels of melatonin.
To help your newborn establish healthy sleep patterns, there are some simple steps you can follow. Firstly, watch for signs that your baby is getting sleepy, such as crankiness, and try to put them to bed before they become overtired. Secondly, establish a bedtime routine that includes activities like a bath, dimming the lights, a feed, a massage, a diaper change, and a bedtime song. This will signal to your baby that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
During the day, engage your baby in stimulating activities such as tummy time, gentle play, and interaction with family members. This will help promote alertness and make your baby more tired by nighttime. You can also use daylight during the day to help your baby stay awake. Open the curtains, switch on lamps, and take your baby outside for some fresh air and sunshine. This will help reinforce the association between daytime and playtime.
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Rocking a baby to sleep can create negative sleep associations
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. Babies this young don't yet have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. Because of that, they usually sleep about 15 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours.
However, this does not mean that rocking a baby is harmful. It is only when rocking your baby becomes something you can't keep up with that it can be a problem. It is never a bad idea to cuddle your baby and give them lots of love and affection! Rocking a baby can be beneficial in the first few months of their life, and it is only after the newborn period that experts recommend allowing your baby to become sleepy in your arms and then placing them in their bed while still awake. This way, your baby learns how to fall asleep on their own.
To avoid creating negative sleep associations, parents can try to put their baby in the crib while they are still awake, so they learn how to fall asleep independently. Exposing your baby to the crib while they are awake and you are in the room can also help promote a positive environment. Gradually reducing the amount of rocking and replacing it with a lullaby or soft music can also help the baby fall asleep without being rocked.
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Babies need to be taught how to fall asleep on their own
Babies don't have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. They usually sleep about 15 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. Premature babies may sleep longer, while colicky babies may sleep less.
From birth, some babies need more or less sleep than others. Most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake. Their total daily sleep varies, but can be around 18 hours. Babies will wake during the night because they need to be fed. Being too hot or too cold can also disturb their sleep.
You can start to teach your baby that night-time is for sleep and daytime is for fun when they are 2 weeks old. During the day, keep them active and awake after they feed, but don't worry if they need a nap. When it's dark outside, keep things low-key. Keep the lights low and your voice soft when you go into their room. They'll soon learn that night-time isn't exciting, so they might as well sleep.
After the first month, try not to let your baby fall asleep while you're feeding or rocking them. You want them to figure out how to put themselves to sleep without your help. Your baby may eat a little, doze a little, then eat some more. They may even do this a couple of times in a row.
Babies can easily be overstimulated, so it's usually best to find a way of calming them and the environment. Holding your baby close or wrapping them snugly in a blanket (swaddling) may help. You can also try rubbing your baby's head or back, singing, or playing soft music to soothe them.
It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise. It's important to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime. During the day, open the curtains, play games, and don't worry about everyday noises when they sleep. Your baby will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping.
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A baby's sleep can be affected by growth spurts, teething and illnesses
A baby's sleep can be affected by growth spurts, teething, and illnesses. During a growth spurt, a baby may wake up multiple times during the night demanding food. They may also be fussier than usual, latching and unlatching frequently while breastfeeding, and waking up earlier from their naps. It's important to remember that these growth spurts usually only last a few days, and you can help your baby sleep by feeding them when they're hungry and trying to keep up with their increased appetite.
Illnesses can also disrupt a baby's sleep. Similar to adults, symptoms like congestion and coughing from a cold or flu can lead to disrupted and non-restorative sleep. Even a mild illness can cause frequent night wakings. If your baby is sick, it's crucial to offer extra comfort and support while maintaining as much consistency as possible in their sleep routine. It may take some time for your baby's sleep to recover even after they've gotten better, so approach this challenge with flexibility and patience.
Teething can also impact a baby's sleep. It can cause sleepiness and discomfort, and you may find your baby struggling to sleep through the night. To help alleviate the pain and improve their sleep, you can try teether devices, especially those that can be frozen to provide a soothing cold sensation. Medicine, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, can also be considered after consulting with your child's pediatrician. Relaxation techniques, such as a warm bath or rocking your baby to sleep, can further ease their discomfort and help them lull off to sleep.
While it's important to be mindful of these factors, remember that every baby is different, and their sleep patterns can vary. As your baby grows, their sleep needs will change, and you'll need to be prepared to adjust your routines accordingly. For at least the first six months, it's recommended to have your baby sleep in the same room as you to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). During the day, you can start teaching your baby the difference between night and day by opening the curtains and playing games without worrying too much about creating complete silence.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. They sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, they wake often to eat. Newborns should get 14-19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period.
Newborns don't yet have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. You can help your newborn learn the difference between night and day by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night. You can also try to keep them awake after they feed during the day, but don't worry if they need a nap.
It's important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques may be hard to keep doing for the long term, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep. This can create a negative sleep association for your newborn, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep. Instead, experts recommend putting infants down before they actually fall asleep, to help them become more comfortable going to sleep on their own.
