Colin Snow
Sleep is crucial for a baby's growth and development. During the first two months, newborns can only stay awake for 30 to 90 minutes at a time, and their sleep patterns are usually split evenly between daytime and nighttime. While there are no official recommendations for babies younger than four months old, the National Sleep Foundation suggests that infants up to three months old should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. However, individual sleep needs vary, and some babies might need more or less sleep than others. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, maintaining a safe sleep environment, and encouraging self-soothing techniques can promote healthy sleep habits in young infants.
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What You'll Learn
Development of night and day sleep patterns
A newborn baby's sleep pattern is very different from that of an adult. Newborns sleep for 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, waking up frequently for feeding both day and night. This pattern continues until the baby is about 1 to 2 months old.
From 2 to 3 months, babies start developing night and day sleep patterns. They start sleeping for longer stretches at night, and their daytime naps become shorter. By 4 months, your baby should sleep about 12 to 16 hours a day, broken up into two or three daytime naps totalling three to six hours, and then another nine to 11 hours at night.
At 2 months, infants take between two and four naps each day, and by 12 months, this reduces to one or two naps. Most babies are physiologically capable of sleeping through the night by 6 months and no longer require night-time feedings. However, 25%-50% continue to awaken during the night.
It is important to establish a consistent bedtime routine that includes calm and enjoyable activities. Reading, singing, and bathing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. It is also important to put your baby to bed drowsy but awake, which will encourage them to fall asleep independently and teach them to soothe themselves back to sleep.
It is normal for a baby's sleep pattern to change as they develop and learn new things. Developmental milestones, such as pulling to a standing position and crawling, may temporarily disrupt sleep. It is also common for babies to experience sleep regression at around 4 months, 6 months, 8 to 10 months, and 12 months.
If your baby is having trouble sleeping, it may be helpful to chart their sleep patterns over a week to identify any issues. You can also try limiting daytime naps to three hours and making clear distinctions between day and night, such as keeping the room dark during naps and avoiding screen time during night-time feedings.
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Sleep environment
A baby's sleep environment is crucial in ensuring they get adequate rest. Here are some tips to optimise their sleep surroundings:
Room-sharing and Safe Sleep Spaces
It is recommended to practice room-sharing without bed-sharing. This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room. This arrangement allows for easier feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night. Ensure your baby sleeps alone in their crib or bassinet without any pillows, blankets, toys, or other items that could pose a safety hazard. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing for at least the first six months, or ideally, until the baby's first birthday, as it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sleep Surface Safety
All sleep surfaces, such as cribs and bassinets, should be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. Make sure your baby's sleep surface is free from any hazards, including cords, ties, ribbons, or objects with sharp edges or corners.
Temperature and Dress
Maintain a comfortable temperature in the baby's room, similar to what would be comfortable for an average adult. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature, avoiding overbundling to prevent overheating. Keep your baby's head and face uncovered during sleep, and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
Create a smoke-free environment for your baby. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS, so it is essential to keep your baby away from smokers and smoking areas.
Lighting and Noise
Provide a dark, quiet sleep environment for your baby. Avoid bright lights or excessive noise that may disturb their sleep. If necessary, use blackout curtains or white noise machines to create a more peaceful sleep space.
Consistency and Routine
Establish a consistent bedtime routine with calming activities like bathing and reading. Consistency in sleep and wake times will help your baby develop a healthy sleep schedule. Try to maintain the same lighting and environment throughout the night, as changes in lighting or noise levels can disrupt your baby's sleep.
Remember, creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment is crucial for your baby's well-being and development. Always consult with your paediatrician or healthcare provider if you have concerns about your baby's sleep patterns or environment.
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Sleep associations
A sleep association is any behaviour that helps a person fall asleep. For adults, this could be something like placing a pillow in a certain way. For babies, it can be as simple as the dimming of lights, the sound of a lullaby, or being held in a certain way.
To establish positive sleep associations, it's important to create a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal an end to the day. Being consistent will help your baby associate these steps with sleeping. You should also make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep have been approved by the relevant safety authorities.
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Sleep regression
A two-month-old baby's sleep schedule is shifting from the disorganisation of newborn sleep to the more structured sleep of an older baby. Two-month-old babies are at a sleep crossroads: they're still very much newborns who need to sleep often, but they're halfway to four months, when a baby's circadian rhythm begins to mature. Circadian rhythm refers to the sleep cycles that regulate human sleep patterns. At two months, babies are still establishing their circadian rhythm, so their sleep schedule may not be regular yet.
Babies at this age will need about 60-90 minutes of wake time between naps. They will wake about every 2-3 hours for night feedings because they're growing very fast. This is a time when newborns start to catnap, waking after 30-45 minutes of sleep, becoming a lot more alert, and can be trickier to settle to sleep.
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Overheating
To prevent overheating, it is important to monitor your baby's temperature and ensure they are comfortable. The ideal room temperature for a baby is generally recommended to be between 68°F to 72°F (20°C to 22°C). In the summer, it is recommended to keep the room temperature below 75°F (23.8°C). You can use a fan, but don't point it directly at your baby at full blast. Instead, use an oscillating feature or point it so it circulates air around the room. Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially during peak hours, which are usually between 10 am and 2 pm or 11 am and 5 pm.
When it comes to dressing your baby for bedtime, a good rule of thumb is to add one extra layer to what you are wearing. For example, if you sleep in your underwear, avoid putting your baby in fleece footie pajamas. You can swaddle your baby in a lightweight, breathable blanket with a TOG rating of less than or equal to 1.0. In cooler weather, opt for a long-sleeve cotton bodysuit or cotton footie pajamas. Avoid synthetic fabrics like fleece, which can cause your baby to overheat.
Signs that your baby may be overheating include flushed skin, excessive sweating, rapid breathing, irritability, or lethargy. You can also touch their ears, neck, or skin to see if they feel warm. If you think your baby is overheating, offer them fluids and remove any extra layers or hats.
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Frequently asked questions
It is normal for babies to spend 70% of their time sleeping during the first 2 months. However, if your baby is sleeping less than expected, it could be due to a number of reasons. One reason could be that they are getting enough sleep in shorter cycles. Babies sleep in cycles that last 50-60 minutes, and at the end of each cycle, they might wake up and need help settling for the next sleep cycle. Another reason could be that they are overtired from not getting enough sleep during the day. It is important to establish a consistent bedtime routine and a daily sleep schedule with consistent sleep and wake times. Additionally, make sure your baby's sleep environment is safe and comfortable, and avoid any distractions that might keep them awake, such as light and noise.
A 2-month-old baby should get around 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including 8 to 9 hours of nighttime sleep and 7 to 9 hours of daytime sleep over several naps.
Here are some tips to help your 2-month-old sleep better:
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine with calming activities like bathing and reading.
- Make sure your baby's bedroom is dark, cool, quiet, and free from distractions.
- Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake to encourage them to fall asleep independently and self-soothe.
- Avoid making bedtime feedings part of the routine, as this can interfere with their sleep.
- Keep your baby away from smokers, as second-hand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
It is common for babies to have their longest sleeps at night from around 6 months old. Before that, it is normal for them to wake up frequently for feedings both day and night. If your 2-month-old is sleeping less at night, it could be because they are hungry or need comfort. Make sure to feed them enough during the day and establish a consistent sleep schedule. You can also try making clear distinctions between day and night, such as keeping their room dark during naps and avoiding screen time during nighttime feedings.
If you are concerned about your baby's sleep, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional, such as a paediatrician or child health nurse. However, some signs that your baby may be sleeping too little or too much include difficulty staying awake to eat, not having enough wet diapers in a 24-hour period, or being difficult to wake up.
