Newborns And Sleep: Why They Don't Rest Well

Newborns sleep a lot — up to 19 hours a day — but this sleep is often spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night. Newborns also wake up frequently, at least every three hours, to feed.

Newborns are still adjusting to life outside the womb and have not yet developed an internal 24-hour rhythm, so they can't tell the difference between day and night. They also haven't yet learned to settle themselves, so they need help to go back to sleep.

There are several reasons why newborns don't sleep well, including hunger, illness, overstimulation, and separation anxiety.

Newborns are hungry

Hunger is a common reason why newborns don't sleep. Newborns have small tummies, so they need to feed frequently. Breastfed newborns, in particular, may need to feed every 1-3 hours and will digest the milk quickly, meaning they can wake up hungry and ready to feed again.

During growth spurts, newborns may feed as often as every hour. If your newborn is waking every hour during the night, it could be a sign that they need more calories during the day.

Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3-4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.

Thirst is another reason why babies wake up, and a drink of breast milk or formula may do the trick.

They're overtired

When a baby is overtired, it can be difficult for them to fall asleep and they may even fight sleep. This is because when a baby stays awake for longer than their body can handle, it activates a stress response, increasing their adrenaline and cortisol levels. This makes it harder for them to wind down and fall asleep.

Signs of an overtired baby

• They have a hard time settling down for sleep
• They only take short naps instead of full naps
• They don't get enough sleep at night
• They are very cranky or fussy
• They are less able to handle frustration or pain
• They are prone to meltdowns
• They fall asleep at random times during the day

How to prevent overtiredness

It's important to understand your baby's sleep needs and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. Here are some tips to prevent your baby from getting overtired:

• Watch for sleep cues such as eye rubbing, crankiness, yawning, etc. and respond promptly by getting your baby ready for a nap or bedtime.
• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
• Don't overstimulate your baby before sleep times. Stop playtime at least half an hour before bed and keep them away from screens and other stimulating activities.

How to get an overtired baby to sleep

If your baby is already overtired, here are some strategies that might help:

• Get your baby to sleep earlier than their usual bedtime.
• Create a calm and soothing environment by dimming the lights, reducing noise, and playing soft music or white noise.
• Try swaddling your baby to create a womb-like environment.
• Keep your baby close and in motion by babywearing, walking, or swaying.
• Teach your baby independent sleeping skills such as self-soothing.

They're overstimulated

Newborns can be easily overstimulated, and this can cause them to struggle to fall asleep. Overstimulation can come in the form of bright lights, loud voices, and lots of "in your face" activity. This is especially true for sensitive babies.

If your newborn is becoming overstimulated, try to get them to a quiet area and start working towards falling asleep. You can also try to avoid overstimulating activities during the day, such as receiving too much attention from visitors or engaging in too much daytime play.

It's important to learn your baby's threshold for activity and adjust their schedule accordingly. For example, if you know that a trip to the park and a visit with the grandparents is all your baby can handle in one day, don't push for dinner with the neighbours as well.

Additionally, creating a calm and consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This might include activities such as taking a bath, putting on pyjamas, feeding, and reading stories.

By reducing overstimulation and implementing a consistent bedtime routine, you can help your newborn settle down and fall asleep more easily.

They're uncomfortable

Newborns can sleep up to 19 hours a day, and this is completely normal. However, they usually sleep for only about 1-2 hours at a time, and their sleep may happen in small chunks or on an irregular schedule.

Newborns are still adjusting to a regular sleeping pattern. They are not born with a developed circadian rhythm, so they can't differentiate between day and night. They also don't produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.

Newborns may sleep more than usual due to a variety of reasons, such as:

• Illness: A minor illness like a cough or cold, or something more serious, can cause a baby to sleep more.
• Change in routine: A change in routine, such as coming home from a family vacation or sleeping in a new place, can disrupt their sleep.
• Growth spurts: Hitting milestones and growth spurts can cause babies to sleep more than usual.
• Minor illness: A baby may sleep more if they have a minor illness, such as a cold.
• Serious infection: In rare cases, a baby may have a serious infection that affects their sleep.
• Jaundice: Jaundice is common in newborns and can cause them to sleep more than usual.
• Not getting enough to eat: If a baby is not getting enough to eat, they may sleep more because they are dehydrated or losing too much weight.

If you are concerned that your newborn is sleeping too much, it is important to consult a pediatrician.

They need a cuddle

Newborns don't sleep through the night because they need to feed every few hours, and they haven't yet developed a sense of day and night. They also need lots of cuddles and comfort from their parents or caregivers.

Newborns need to be fed every few hours, day and night, because they have small stomachs and are growing quickly. This means they wake up frequently and can't sleep for long stretches at a time.

Newborns also haven't yet developed a sense of day and night. They need help to learn the difference between night and day, and that nighttime is for sleeping. This can be done by keeping things quiet and calm during nighttime feeds and nappy changes, and resisting the urge to play with or talk to your baby.

Newborns also need lots of cuddles and comfort. Skin-to-skin contact with a parent or caregiver can quickly calm a newborn who is upset and struggling to sleep. In the first few months, "spoiling" a newborn with lots of cuddles and attention is not a problem. In fact, newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness.

So, if your newborn isn't sleeping, try offering them a feed, keeping things calm and quiet, and giving them lots of cuddles.

Frequently asked questions