Evie Summers
Newborns need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep each day, but they can't sleep for long stretches at a time because they need to be fed frequently. In addition, newborns' internal clocks may be off, so they'll mix up their days and nights. This can be frustrating and exhausting for parents, but there are some strategies that can help. For example, you can make daytime and nighttime very distinct (loud and active versus quiet and soothing) to help your baby learn the difference. Establishing a daily sleep schedule with consistent sleep and wake times can also help, as can swaddling your baby and giving them a pacifier.
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns need to eat around the clock, so frequent wake-ups are to be expected
- Hunger is a common reason for babies to wake during the night
- Babies need to be taught the difference between day and night
- Babies may become dependent on their parents' presence to fall asleep
- Exposure to morning light is key to developing a baby's circadian rhythm
Newborns need to eat around the clock, so frequent wake-ups are to be expected
There are a few things you can do to help your newborn differentiate between day and night. Firstly, limit daytime naps to three hours, and make clear distinctions between day and night. For example, keep your baby's room dark when they nap and avoid turning on the TV during nighttime feedings. You can also keep them awake a little longer during each waking period during the day to increase their need for sleep later.
As your baby grows, they will start to sleep for longer stretches as they drop some night feedings. Around 2 to 3 months, many babies will start sleeping for longer stretches, and by 4 months, they typically fall into a nap schedule. By 5 to 6 months, some families choose to sleep train to reduce night wakings and encourage babies to sleep through the night.
It's important to remember that every baby is different and will have their own sleep pattern. Some babies sleep much more than others, and some sleep for long periods, while others sleep in short bursts. It's unlikely that your baby's sleep pattern will fit in with your own need for sleep, so try to sleep when your baby sleeps. If you're breastfeeding, your baby is likely to doze off during a feed, so carry on feeding until they're fully asleep, and take the opportunity to rest yourself.
If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor or paediatrician.
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Hunger is a common reason for babies to wake during the night
Babies under 12 months typically have a timing issue, according to Dr. Tobin. You have to hit the exact moment when they are showing signs of sleepiness, or you will miss the opportunity for a nap. At that point, they are overtired and too wired to fall asleep. Watch for your baby's sleepy signs and put them down immediately. If your baby is fussy and having a hard time settling for bedtime or naps, they may be overtired.
Babies also need to learn the difference between day and night. You can help them learn by making daytime very distinct from nighttime (loud and active versus quiet and soothing). Around 2 to 3 months old, many babies will start to sleep for longer stretches as they drop some night feedings. By 6 months, most babies are physiologically capable of sleeping through the night and no longer require night feedings. However, 25%-50% continue to awaken during the night.
If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor or pediatrician.
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Babies need to be taught the difference between day and night
Newborns need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep each day, while babies aged 4 to 12 months need about 12 to 16 hours. However, newborns often struggle to sleep for long stretches due to their frequent feeding needs and undeveloped internal clocks. This can lead to day and night confusion, where they sleep during the day and stay awake at night.
To help your baby differentiate between day and night, it is important to establish a clear distinction between the two. During the day, allow natural light into your home and engage your baby in activities near windows. This will help regulate their circadian rhythm and reinforce the association between daytime and light. Conversely, at night, minimise exposure to light. Use blackout blinds or curtains, and if you need additional lighting, opt for a dim nightlight or hall light.
Creating a calm and relaxing bedtime routine can also help your baby understand that night-time is for sleeping. This routine should be slightly different from your baby's nap routine during the day. For example, your bedtime routine could include a bath, dimming the lights, reducing noise, a feed, a massage, a diaper change, and a bedtime song. Maintaining consistency in your baby's sleep times and wake-up times will also help them develop a healthy sleep schedule.
Additionally, it is important to create a safe and comfortable sleep environment for your baby. They should sleep alone, on their back, in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress. Ensure their face and head remain uncovered and clear of blankets, and maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.
Remember, this phase of day and night confusion is temporary. By 6 to 8 weeks of age, most babies outgrow this confusion as their biological clock starts to develop and their melatonin production increases. In the meantime, focus on creating positive sleep associations, establishing consistent routines, and providing a safe sleep environment to help your baby learn the difference between day and night.
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Babies may become dependent on their parents' presence to fall asleep
Newborns need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep each day, while babies 4 to 12 months old need about 12 to 16 hours. Newborns follow their own schedule and will invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months. Their internal clock may be off, so they'll mix up their days and nights. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day.
Babies may become dependent on their parent's presence to fall asleep. This is known as a "sleep onset association" or a "sleep crutch". It can develop when parents get their baby to fall asleep by rocking, holding, or bringing them into their own bed. While this may not be a problem at bedtime, it may lead to difficulties with your baby falling back to sleep on their own during the night.
To avoid this, parents should help their baby learn the difference between night and day by making those times of day very distinct (loud and active during the day versus quiet and soothing at night). It is also important to create a daily sleep schedule with consistent sleep and wake times.
Additionally, parents should watch for their baby's sleepy signs and put them down immediately. Babies sleep best when they are put down as soon as they show signs of being tired.
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Exposure to morning light is key to developing a baby's circadian rhythm
Newborns need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep each day, while babies 4 to 12 months old need about 12 to 16 hours. However, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night during the first few months, and this can be very hard to cope with. One of the reasons for this is that newborns' internal clocks are often off, so they'll mix up their days and nights.
To help your newborn develop their circadian rhythm, it's important to expose them to morning light. Light is the major entrainer of the circadian rhythm postnatally, and morning light is key to setting our internal 24-hour rhythm. Try to get your baby outside for at least 15 minutes of direct natural light each morning. Even on a cloudy day, a simple walk can provide enough morning light to keep the circadian clock clicking on time.
In addition to morning light exposure, there are other ways to help your baby develop their circadian rhythm and differentiate between day and night. These include limiting daytime naps to three hours and making clear distinctions between day and night, such as keeping your baby's room dark when they nap and avoiding turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
Breast milk also plays a role in developing a baby's circadian rhythm. It changes composition throughout the day and night, with morning milk being high in cortisol, an energy drink-like hormone, and evening milk containing more melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep each day, and they might need your help to settle and go back to sleep. Here are some tips to help your newborn sleep:
- Keep them awake a little longer during the day to increase their need for sleep later.
- Set up a routine for your newborn.
- Gently touch your baby, such as by patting or stroking them.
- Use gentle shushing noises, settling music, or white noise.
- Swaddle your baby to keep their arms and legs still so they don't move and wake themselves up.
- Put your baby to sleep in a small crib, which may help them feel snug and secure.
- Ensure your baby is not being overstimulated by activities or their surrounding environment.
- Make sure your baby is not too hot or cold.
- Feed your baby just before their nap.
Newborns aged 0 to 3 months have not yet learned to settle by themselves and will wake up frequently at night to feed. They might also wake up because they are uncomfortable or need a nappy change.
Look out for sleepy cues and ensure your baby is given the opportunity to nap before they become overtired. Ensure your baby has some quiet time before their nap and is not being overstimulated by activities or their environment. Feed your baby just before their nap so that they don't resist their nap waiting to be fed.
Your newborn's nocturnal ways should correct themselves as they adjust to life outside the womb, but you can help them differentiate between day and night by limiting daytime naps to three hours and making clear distinctions between day and night. For example, keep their room dark when they nap and avoid turning on the TV during nighttime feedings.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, always put your baby to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of suffocation. Cribs and bassinets should have firm, flat surfaces, without toys, stuffed animals, pillows, or bedding. Swaddling your baby can also help prevent sudden reflexes from waking them up during naps.
