Gina Johnson
Sleep is an important topic for new parents, as newborns wake up frequently and parents' sleep is often interrupted. Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are small and they need to be fed often. They also haven't yet developed an internal 24-hour rhythm to know when they should be awake and when they should sleep. While every baby is different, parents can typically expect longer stretches of sleep, around five to six hours, when the baby is around three to four months old. To help your baby develop good sleep habits, you can establish a bedtime routine that includes bathing, singing, and reading. You can also help your baby develop an internal clock by keeping them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and removing bright lights at night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much sleep do newborns need? | Newborns sleep for 11 to 17 hours a day in their first year. |
| How long do newborns sleep for? | Newborns sleep for 30 minutes to three hours at a time during the first two months. |
| How often do newborns wake up? | Newborns wake up every two hours to be fed. |
| When do newborns sleep through the night? | Most babies start sleeping through the night by 6 months of age. However, some sources suggest that babies can start sleeping for longer stretches of 5-6 hours from 2-4 months. |
| How to help newborns sleep through the night | Establish a bedtime routine, including bathing, singing, and reading. Keep the room dimly lit and quiet. Put your baby to sleep on their back in a crib with a firm mattress and no extra pillows or blankets. |
| Individual variation | Every baby is different, and it's important to talk to your pediatrician about what's normal and necessary for your infant. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn sleep patterns and cycles
Newborns generally sleep between 11 and 19 hours in a 24-hour period. However, they sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns do not know the difference between day and night, and their sleep patterns are mostly affected by their need to be fed. They will wake up when they are hungry, typically every 1 to 3 hours.
There are two types of sleep: REM (rapid eye movement sleep) and non-REM sleep, also known as active and quiet sleep. In the first few months of life, babies' sleep is split evenly between these two types of sleep. As a baby grows, they begin to spend less time in REM sleep and more time in non-REM sleep.
REM sleep is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly. During this stage, a newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. Non-REM sleep, on the other hand, is a deeper sleep. During this stage, the baby will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even.
It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles, and they may need help settling and falling back to sleep. Establishing a bedtime routine can help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep. Exposing them to light and playing with them during the day can also help them sleep more at night. However, be sure that the baby does not fall asleep while eating or in your arms, as this may become a pattern that they start to expect.
Understanding your baby's unique sleep cycles and patterns can help you set a schedule that works for everyone. It can also help you anticipate when it's time for a nap or if they're crying because they're tired. Remember that every baby is different, and their sleep patterns may continue to change as they develop.
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Sleep training methods
Sleep training can help your baby sleep through the night without needing you to soothe them or feed them. The time it takes to sleep train a baby depends on the method chosen and the baby's needs and preferences. Typically, it takes around three to seven nights.
Cry It Out (CIO) or Extinction Method
This method involves putting your baby to bed and letting them cry until they fall asleep without any comfort or help. You can adjust the amount of crying you allow to your comfort level before offering comfort. It is recommended to only use this method when you are sure your baby has a full tummy and is in a safe sleeping environment.
Ferber Method
Also known as "graduated extinction" or "check-and-console", this method involves allowing your baby to cry for a set period before you offer comfort.
Gentle Sleep Training Method
This method focuses on helping your baby learn to sleep on their own without any crying.
Bedtime Routine
This method involves creating a bedtime routine that includes activities such as bathing, singing, and reading to get the baby in the mood for sleep.
It's important to note that there is no "right" way to sleep train, and the best method depends on what works best for you and your baby. Consistency is key, and it's important to stick to a routine and a consistent bedtime. Additionally, it is recommended to start sleep training when your baby is between four and six months old, as this is when they are developmentally ready to sleep for longer stretches without needing to eat.
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Safe sleep practices
Sleep is a big challenge for new parents, and it is completely normal for newborns to wake up a lot during the night. This is because their tummies are tiny, and they get hungry not long after feeding. These short bursts of sleep and wakefulness are a normal and important part of your baby's growth.
Safe Sleep Environment
- Always place your baby on a firm, flat, and level surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a mattress and a tightly fitted sheet. The sleep surface should return to its original shape quickly when pressed on.
- Do not use soft bedding, comforters, pillows, loose sheets, blankets, sheepskins, toys, positioners, or bumpers in the crib or sleep area. These could cause your baby to suffocate.
- Decorate your baby's room as you choose, but leave the baby's sleep space empty.
- The ideal room temperature for your baby is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
Safe Sleep Position
- Place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their side.
- If you are breastfeeding in bed, put your baby back in their own separate sleep space when you are finished nursing.
- If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting your baby in bed, put them back into their own sleep area as soon as you wake up.
- Do not let your baby sleep on an adult bed, couch, armchair, or other soft sleep surface.
- Do not let your baby sleep in a car seat or swing, as they may not be able to keep their airway open. If they fall asleep in a car seat or swing, move them to a safe sleep place.
Other Tips
- Keep an established bedtime routine, which can include bathing, singing, and reading.
- Help your baby develop an internal clock (circadian rhythm) by keeping them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and removing 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.
- If your baby is formula-fed, they can go longer between feedings, typically three to four hours.
- If your baby is breastfeeding, feed them every two to three hours.
- If your baby needs to gain weight, wake them to feed every three to four hours within the first two weeks of birth.
- If your baby sleeps longer than five hours at a time during the first five to six weeks, you should wake them to feed.
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Sleep regression
The term "sleep regression" describes a temporary disruption in your child's sleep, such as waking more in the night, taking shorter naps, or fighting bedtime. This can occur during times of developmental growth or big transitions, such as starting preschool or the birth of a sibling. Sleep can be impacted when a baby's brain is busy focusing on physical, mental, social, or emotional growth.
Every baby experiences sleep regression differently, but some common signs to look out for include:
- Fussiness and crying
- Refusal to nap
- Standing and crying in their crib at naptime
- Waking up multiple times in the middle of the night when they were previously sleeping well
- Shorter naps
- Waking up early, around 4:00 am
Additionally, here are some general tips to help your baby develop good sleep habits:
- Keep naps as part of your baby's daytime routine, and don't keep them up longer thinking they'll sleep better at night.
- Help your baby develop an internal clock (circadian rhythm) by exposing them to bright or sunny spaces during the day and removing bright lights at night.
- When your baby wakes up at night for a feeding, avoid talking or playing. Keep the mood calm and quiet so they learn that nighttime is for sleep, not activities.
- Adjust your baby's sleeping space to a comfortable temperature, generally 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
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Sleep tips for parents
Sleep is essential for new parents to be able to take care of their newborn, but it can be challenging to get enough of it. Here are some tips for new parents to maximise their sleep:
Establish a bedtime routine
Creating a bedtime routine for your baby can help them prepare for sleep. This can include activities such as bathing, singing, or reading. Slowing things down and creating a calm environment before bed can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.
Keep naps as part of your baby's daytime routine
Contrary to what some may think, keeping your baby awake during the day won't help them sleep better at night. Instead, it's important to incorporate naps into their daytime routine. An overtired baby will have more trouble falling and staying asleep.
Help your baby develop an internal clock
You can assist your baby in developing an internal 24-hour rhythm by exposing them to bright or sunny spaces during the day and reducing bright lights at night. This will help them learn that daytime is for activity and nighttime is for sleep.
Avoid stimulating activities during nighttime feedings
When your baby wakes up at night to feed, try to keep the mood calm and quiet. Avoid talking or playing with them, so they associate nighttime with sleep, not playtime.
Maintain a comfortable room temperature
Make sure your baby's sleeping space is adjusted to a comfortable temperature, generally 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
Avoid caffeine and electronics before bed for yourself
As a parent, you should avoid stimulants such as caffeine, as they can interfere with your sleep cycle. Also, refrain from using electronic devices like phones, tablets, or computers before bed, as the light from these devices can disrupt your body clock.
Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule
While this may be challenging as a new parent, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Prioritise your sleep
Taking care of a newborn can be demanding, but prioritising your sleep is crucial. Whenever possible, sleep when your baby sleeps, even during the day, to catch up on rest.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no exact science to their sleep patterns. Talk to your paediatrician to understand what's normal and necessary for your infant, and don't worry, you will sleep again!
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day.
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2 to 4 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours.
Try to rest when your baby sleeps. If you have a partner, ask them to help with feedings or diaper changes. You can also take daytime naps when your baby is napping, and practice good sleep hygiene by avoiding screen time before bed and keeping your room dark and cool.
It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day. You can start sleep training with your child around three to four months of age.
Yes, it is important to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths. Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface, and keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib or bassinet.
