Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is essential for newborns, who spend the majority of their time sleeping. In fact, newborns need between 11 to 19 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, and this sleep is crucial for their growth and development. Newborns' sleep is in short segments, and they may not sleep for more than 1-2 hours at a time. While sleeping, newborns' bodies are in a state of rapid development, especially their brains. During sleep, an essential layer of fat called myelin forms around nerve fibres, and connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain are strengthened. This is also when memories are formed and stored, and brain synapses are formed at a rate of more than 1,000,000 million neural connections per second during the first three years of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brain development | An essential layer of fat called myelin forms around nerve fibers during sleep; connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain are strengthened; brain synapses are formed; memories are formed and stored |
| Physical development | Energy is replenished |
| Mental health | Sleep impacts alertness and attention, cognitive performance, mood, resiliency, vocabulary acquisition, and learning |
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day; sleep duration slowly decreases as the baby grows, while the length of nighttime sleep increases |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns sleep in very short segments; they rarely sleep through the night; sleep patterns will change over the first year of a baby's life |
| Sleep environment | The bedroom should be quiet, cozy, and ready for sleeping; the lights should be dim; soft, soothing music or white noise can be played; security items such as blankets or stuffed animals can be offered to babies who are old enough to roll and sit |
| Sleep routine | A consistent bedtime routine is important; this could include a quiet cuddle, a short story, or a bath; swaddling can help recreate the womb environment and soothe the newborn |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep is essential for a newborn's brain development
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, but this sleep is in very short segments of 1 to 2 hours at a time. They do not know the difference between day and night and will wake up repeatedly in the night to feed. Breastfed newborns wake about every 2 to 3 hours, while formula-fed babies do so roughly every 3 to 4 hours.
As a baby grows, the total amount of sleep slowly decreases, but the length of nighttime sleep increases. By 6-12 months, about two-thirds of babies are able to sleep through the night on a regular basis.
To promote healthy brain development, it is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. For example, you can put your baby to bed when they are drowsy but still awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own. You can also try to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, and keep the lights low. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
Additionally, you can help your baby sleep by playing soft music, offering a pacifier or transitional object, and comforting and reassuring your baby when they are afraid.
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It helps build their immune system
Sleep is essential for a newborn's health and well-being. Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, including daytime naps. They sleep in short segments of 1 to 2 hours at a time, waking up frequently to feed.
Sleep plays a crucial role in building and optimizing the functioning of a newborn's immune system. During sleep, a newborn's body produces cytokines, proteins that fight off infections and illnesses. This immune-boosting effect of sleep becomes even more pronounced when the newborn is unwell, as their body produces an increased amount of cytokines to combat the illness.
Getting sufficient sleep strengthens a newborn's immune system, making them better equipped to fight off any bugs or illnesses they may encounter. A well-rested newborn will have a stronger immune response, which can help them recover faster and more effectively from any illnesses they may experience.
Sleep also promotes the development of myelin, an essential layer of fat that forms around nerve fibers. Myelin acts as an insulator and facilitates the efficient transmission of electrical impulses, supporting the maturation of brain functions. This development of myelin during sleep contributes to enhancing the newborn's overall health and well-being, including their immune system.
Additionally, adequate sleep supports the strengthening of connections between the left and right hemispheres of a newborn's brain. This improved brain connectivity optimizes various critical functions, including language, attention, and impulse control. By promoting healthy brain development, sufficient sleep indirectly contributes to enhancing the newborn's immune system and overall resilience.
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Sleep patterns vary, but newborns sleep a lot
Sleep patterns vary among newborns, but they typically sleep a lot—anywhere from 12 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period. Newborns don't initially have a sense of day and night, so they sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed newborns tend to feed more frequently, about every 2–3 hours, while formula-fed babies may go a bit longer, around 3–4 hours.
It's important to establish a sleep routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs. During the first few weeks, you and your baby will begin to settle into a routine, and it may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. To help your baby learn the difference, keep things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low, and resist playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
You can also create positive sleep associations for your newborn. For example, playing soft music while your baby is getting sleepy or offering a transitional object, such as a small blanket or soft toy, can help soothe your baby. However, be mindful of the risks associated with blankets, such as suffocation or inhibiting hip development, and only introduce blankets when your baby is old enough to roll and sit.
Additionally, it's important to learn how to safely put your baby down for sleep to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Make sure all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards. For instance, use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet to prevent gaps between the mattress and the sides of the crib, reducing the risk of entrapment and suffocation.
Remember, growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep patterns. As your baby grows, be prepared to change routines and adapt to their changing needs.
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Safe sleeping practices are important to prevent SIDS
Sleep is essential for a child's health and well-being. It allows their developing minds time to process new skills and experiences, consolidates their memories, and improves motor development, vocabulary, attention, and mood. A newborn's sleep is also important for the development of their immune system. During sleep, their bodies produce cytokines, proteins that protect them from infections and illnesses.
- Place the baby on their back for all sleep times, including naps and at night. Babies who sleep on their backs are at a lower risk of SIDS than those who sleep on their stomachs or sides.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib with a fitted sheet. Do not use products that incline the baby's sleep surface, such as wedges or positioners, as these are linked to injury and death.
- Keep the baby's sleep area in the same room as the caregiver, ideally until the baby is at least 6 months old.
- Avoid smoking or allowing smoking around the baby.
- Breastfeed the baby if possible, as this is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
- Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Ensure the baby receives recommended vaccines to protect against serious diseases.
- Avoid using weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles around the baby.
- Make sure all sleep products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Avoid letting the baby fall asleep on products not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers.
- Do not use sleep positioners or monitors that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, as no products can actually do this.
By following these safe sleeping practices, caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and create a safe and comfortable sleep environment for newborns.
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Sleep helps newborns learn the difference between night and day
Newborns sleep a lot—around 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period. They don't know the difference between day and night and will sleep whenever they're tired. This can be frustrating for parents, who understandably want their newborns to sleep at night so that they can sleep too.
Another way to help newborns learn the difference between day and night is to expose them to natural light during the day and engage them in activities near windows. This helps regulate their circadian rhythm and reinforces the association between daytime and playtime and nighttime and sleep. It's also important to allow newborns to have full days before bedtime, rather than snacking and sleeping throughout the day. This can be encouraged by providing full feedings and understanding wake windows and sleepy cues.
By implementing these strategies, parents can help their newborns learn the difference between night and day, improving sleep patterns for the whole household.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 19 hours in a 24-hour period. They wake up every couple of hours to feed and don't know the difference between day and night.
Sleep is essential for a newborn's health and well-being. It allows their developing minds to process new skills and experiences, consolidates their memories, and improves motor development, vocabulary, attention, and mood. Sleep also plays a crucial role in building their immune system, as their bodies produce cytokines—proteins that fight off infections and illnesses.
It's important to create positive sleep associations and avoid negative ones. For example, holding your baby until they fall asleep may result in them needing to be held to fall asleep in the future. Instead, try to let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep. You can also establish a bedtime routine by playing soft music, offering transitional objects like small blankets or soft toys, and keeping things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings.
Sleep problems in newborns can include frequent waking due to feeding or illness, difficulty falling asleep, and short sleep cycles. To address these issues, you can try swaddling your baby (with proper guidance from your doctor), creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment, and recognizing signs of sleep readiness. If your baby is having persistent sleep problems, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice.
