Colin Snow
Newborns have variable sleep patterns, with sleep totals ranging from 10 to 21 hours per day. While many newborns sleep between 14 to 18 hours a day, it is not a strict requirement for all newborns to sleep 18 to 20 hours to be healthy. Their sleep needs can vary, with some newborns requiring as little as 12 hours of sleep daily, while others may sleep for longer periods. Newborns' normal sleep behavior is typically disorganized and does not follow a pattern, contrary to the belief that it is usually very routine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep totals for newborns | Variable, ranging from 10 to 21 hours per day |
| Newborns' normal sleep behavior | Disorganized and does not follow a pattern |
| Time spent in each state of arousal | Variable |
| Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep accounts for | 50% of their time asleep |
| Sleep needed to stay healthy | 12 to 18 hours, not necessarily 18 to 20 |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep a total of 10-21 hours per day
Newborns typically sleep between 10 and 21 hours per day. This sleep is accumulated in short spurts of one to four hours, with newborns rarely sleeping through the night without waking up. Newborns usually sleep for eight to nine hours during the day and about eight hours at night, but they may not sleep for longer than one to two hours at a time.
Newborns should get a total of about 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour day. They will typically sleep in short bursts of two to four hours, waking to be fed, burped, changed, and soothed. While there is no suggested sleep schedule, newborns will likely sleep for eight to 12 hours at night, with the rest occurring during two to five daytime naps. The amount of sleep a newborn gets can vary from baby to baby.
It is beneficial for newborns to nap during the day, and this napping is very normal. Each nap can last between one and four hours, and while the total nap time decreases as they get older, infants will continue to nap for two to three hours or more each day. Napping is important for memory consolidation and brain development.
It is possible for babies to sleep too much, and it is not recommended that newborns sleep for longer than 17 hours in total during the early stages of infancy. If a newborn sleeps for longer than four hours during the first few weeks, they should be gently roused, and if they are not awake enough to feed eight times a day, then a pediatrician should be consulted for advice.
Sleep patterns can be established when a baby is around two months old, and caregivers can develop a more regular sleep schedule that accounts for feeding, nighttime sleep, and daytime naps.
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Sleep needs vary between 12-18 hours
Newborns typically sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, although this can vary, with some sources suggesting a range of 10 to 21 hours per day. In the first few months, newborns need around 18 hours of sleep a day to maintain optimum health.
Newborns sleep in bursts, typically ranging from 30 minutes to three hours, with awake periods of about two hours in between. This is because their tummies are tiny, and they get hungry not long after feeding. These short bursts of sleep and wakefulness are normal and an important part of a newborn's growth.
During the first few months, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly at night. This can be challenging for new parents, and it is important to be patient during this time. It takes a while for newborns to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, or "circadian rhythm", that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.
Breastfed newborns may doze off during feeds, and it is a good idea to take this opportunity to rest yourself. It is also beneficial to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise during the day, as this will help them understand the difference between night and day.
Some tips to help your baby sleep include:
- Recognising signs of sleep readiness and teaching them to fall asleep on their own
- Creating a bedtime routine, such as a bath, reading books, and rocking
- Playing soft music while your baby is getting sleepy
- Offering a transitional object, such as a small blanket or soft toy, for your baby to take to bed
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Newborn sleep behaviour is disorganised
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night, and they do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They may confuse day with night, thinking they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day. Newborns have their own unique patterns of waking and sleeping, and it is unlikely to be the same as other newborns. They may sleep for long periods or in short bursts, and some may sleep through the night, while others may not for a long time.
Newborns go through different stages of sleep, including active sleep and quiet sleep. There are also two types of sleep: REM (rapid eye movement sleep) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly, and non-REM sleep has four stages of increasing depth. Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in REM sleep, but this decreases as they get older.
It can be challenging for new parents to know how long and how often a newborn should sleep. There is no set schedule at first, and it can be difficult to establish a sleeping and waking pattern for newborns. Parents can help their babies sleep by recognising signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing a comfortable and safe sleep environment.
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Newborns spend 4-5 hours in each state of arousal
Newborns typically sleep between 10 and 21 hours per day, with some sources stating that newborns sleep for around 16 to 18 hours a day. However, the statement "Newborns spend 4-5 hours in each state of arousal" is false. While newborns do experience different states of arousal, the amount of time spent in each state varies and is not limited to 4-5 hours.
States of arousal refer to the different ways babies express their sleepiness or wakefulness. Dr. T. B. Brazelton, an American paediatrician, identified six states of alertness in newborns: deep sleep, light sleep, drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying. These states help caregivers understand and respond to the baby's needs, fostering their overall well-being and development.
Deep sleep is when the baby is in a deep slumber, usually very still. Light sleep is when the baby moves around a bit while sleeping. Drowsy is the state between sleep and wakefulness, where the baby might be waking up or falling asleep, exhibiting signs such as drooping eyelids or slow movements. Quiet alert is when the baby is wide awake and calm, often a good time for learning and play. Active alert is when the baby is moving around a lot, indicating they might be hungry or in discomfort. Lastly, the crying state indicates that the baby needs immediate attention, whether it's for comfort, food, or a change in their surroundings.
By understanding these different states of arousal, caregivers can better navigate the baby's needs, establish a daily routine, and create a harmonious bond with the child. It is important to note that each baby is unique in their rate of change between these states, and external factors can also influence their sleep patterns.
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REM sleep accounts for 80% of newborn sleep
Sleep plays a crucial role in the development of newborns, and understanding their sleep patterns is essential for new parents. While it is commonly believed that REM sleep accounts for 80% of a newborn's sleep, this is false. In reality, newborns spend about 50% of their sleep time in the REM stage.
REM sleep, or rapid-eye-movement sleep, is a vital stage of sleep for newborns. It is characterized by rapid eye movements, and it is associated with the stimulation of brain development, cognition, and behavior. Newborns typically experience shorter stints of light REM sleep and longer periods of deep sleep throughout the night. This is in contrast to adults, who can remain in deep sleep for up to 90 minutes at a time.
The newborn sleep cycle is quite different from that of adults. Newborns take longer to drift into a deep sleep, and their sleep patterns are often disorganized and variable. A typical newborn sleeps between 16 and 18 hours a day, although this can range from 10 to 21 hours. It is recommended that newborns sleep for at least 18 hours a day to maintain optimum health during their first few months of life.
The quality of sleep is also important for newborns. Poor sleep quality in hospitalized premature and term infants has been linked to lasting effects on cognitive functioning. Additionally, infants who slept poorly as neonates exhibited poorer attention and greater distractibility at 4 and 18 months compared to those who slept well.
Understanding the newborn sleep cycle and the importance of REM sleep can help parents support their baby's development and establish healthy sleep habits. While REM sleep is crucial, it is important to note that it only accounts for 50% of a newborn's sleep, contrary to the statement that it makes up 80%.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns must sleep 18 to 20 hours a day to stay healthy.
False. Newborns' normal sleep behavior is usually very routine. If sleep doesn't follow a pattern, it may indicate possible brain damage.
False. While newborns do spend time in five states of arousal, the amount of time spent in each state varies.
False. Newborns spend 50% of their time asleep in REM sleep.
False. Newborns typically sleep between 14 to 18 hours a day, and only 50% of their sleep time is spent in REM sleep.
