Evie Summers
Newborns typically sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, with some sleeping as little as 11 hours and others sleeping up to 19 hours. It is common for newborns to have erratic sleep patterns, waking up every couple of hours to feed. They may sleep for only 30 minutes or up to 2 hours at a time. It is important to ensure that newborns are getting enough nourishment, even if it means waking them up to feed every 2 to 4 hours. While it is normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day, if they are sleeping so much that they aren't eating enough, it may be cause for concern and you should consult a pediatrician.
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What You'll Learn
It's normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day
It's perfectly normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day. Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, some newborns may sleep for as little as 11 hours per day, while others may sleep up to 18 or even 19 hours per day. Preemies may sleep for up to 22 hours a day.
During the first few weeks of a baby's life, it is normal for them to have erratic sleep patterns, waking up frequently to feed and then going right back to sleep. Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are tiny, and they get hungry soon after feeding. They may sleep for only about 1-2 hours at a time, though some may sleep a little more or less than this.
In the first few months of life, your child will likely have short and long periods of sleep along with plenty of wakings for feedings and comfort over a day (and night!)!. It's common for newborns to confuse night and day, and this usually resolves on its own. You can help your baby develop their circadian rhythm by keeping interactions dark and quiet overnight and keeping their environment bright and noisy during the day.
While it's important to ensure your newborn is getting enough sleep, you should also keep an eye on their mood and energy levels. If your newborn is sleeping so much that they aren't waking to eat every two to four hours, you should consult your pediatrician.
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Newborns wake up frequently to feed
Newborns have tiny tummies, so they need to feed frequently—about every two to three hours. This means they wake up frequently to feed, both during the day and at night, to get enough nourishment. At two weeks old, your baby's stomach is still very small, so they can only consume one to two ounces per feeding. This means they need to eat often, and it's recommended to feed your newborn on demand when they show hunger cues.
Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every two to three hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every three to four hours. Newborns also fall asleep quickly during a feed and may need encouragement to start sucking actively again. You can try switching breasts each time your baby's sucking slows or they start to get sleepy. Taking your baby off, waking them, and starting on the other side can help. Rubbing the palm of your baby's hand stimulates the Babkin reflex, which causes them to open their mouth and start sucking again.
It's important to note that sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger at two weeks, so there won't be a specific sleep schedule or number of naps at this time. The frequency and duration of sleep stretches at this age vary, with some babies sleeping for 30 minutes and others for two hours, both of which are normal. Newborns sleep a lot during the day and then wake up frequently at night to feed, and this can impact the development of their circadian rhythm.
To help your baby develop a sense of day and night, keep interactions dark and quiet during the night. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby to signal that nighttime is for sleeping. During the day, keep your baby's environment bright and noisy to differentiate it from the night.
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Circadian rhythm development is key to sleep-wake patterns
A newborn baby's sleep patterns revolve around feed times and are erratic in the first few days, weeks, and months. The development of a baby's circadian rhythm is vital to their sleep-wake patterns and health.
The circadian rhythm is the body's natural 24-hour clock, which is governed by an internal biological system. This system begins developing in utero and continues to mature in the first few years of life. The circadian rhythm is influenced by external factors such as light and temperature, as well as internal factors like hormone secretion.
Newborns typically don't develop a circadian rhythm until they are a few months old. During this time, they rely on maternal melatonin, which runs out a few weeks after birth. As a result, newborns may confuse night and day, and their sleep patterns can be unpredictable.
To promote the development of a healthy circadian rhythm, it is recommended to expose newborns to a light-dark cycle and keep their environment bright and noisy during the day. This helps them distinguish night from day and establishes a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Additionally, creating a bedtime routine that includes winding down, keeping the lights low, and reducing noise can help signal to the baby that nighttime is for sleep. It is also important to note that newborns should be fed on demand, ensuring they get enough nourishment, and that room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for safe sleep.
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Sleep pressure and hunger control sleep at 2 weeks
A two-week-old baby's sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger. Sleep pressure is the pressure to sleep, which builds up in the body as time awake increases. The pressure gets stronger the longer one stays awake and decreases during sleep, reaching a low after a full night of good-quality sleep. The homeostatic process begins to build again after one awakens.
At two weeks old, a baby's sleep schedule is still unpredictable, with sleep times and durations varying. A baby at this age will sleep for around 15.5 hours a day, but it is not uncommon for them to sleep more or less than this. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that newborns sleep for around 16 to 17 hours per day, while the National Sleep Foundation recommends that newborns get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep for up to 18 to 19 hours a day.
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2 to 3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
It is important to keep in mind that these recommendations are estimates, and there is a range of what is considered normal and healthy when it comes to baby sleep. Instead of focusing solely on the number of hours of sleep, it is advisable to pay attention to a baby's mood and energy levels each day. Their overall demeanor can be a good indicator of whether they are getting sufficient rest.
During the day, it is recommended to follow an eat-play-sleep flow, stimulating the baby during their wake windows between naps. At night, stimulation should be kept to a minimum, with a dark and quiet environment that promotes restful sleep. Keeping interactions dark and quiet overnight for feedings and diaper changes can help signal that nighttime is for sleep.
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Consult a doctor if sleepiness occurs with other symptoms
It is normal for a 2-week-old baby to sleep a lot, with sleep times varying from 30 minutes to 2 hours. However, if you are concerned about your baby's sleepiness and suspect an underlying health issue, it is important to consult a doctor or pediatrician.
- Respiratory problems: If your baby is gasping for air, wheezing, or experiencing loud or difficult breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
- Feeding concerns: If your baby is not feeding adequately, consult a doctor. Signs to look out for include lethargy, lack of weight gain or weight loss, and producing fewer than four wet diapers per day.
- Unusual sleep patterns: If your baby's sleep patterns deviate from what is typical for them, and you suspect something is amiss, trust your instincts and seek medical advice.
- Developmental milestones: If your baby was born prematurely or has certain medical conditions, their sleep needs may differ. In such cases, it is advisable to consult their medical team for tailored advice.
- Other symptoms: If your baby exhibits other symptoms alongside excessive sleepiness, such as fussiness, irregular body temperature, or unusual behaviour, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out any potential health concerns.
Remember, it is always better to be cautious and seek professional advice if you have any concerns about your baby's health or development.
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Frequently asked questions
It is normal for newborns to sleep a lot during the day. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that newborns get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.
If your newborn is sleeping so much that they aren't waking up to eat every 2-4 hours, you should consult a pediatrician.
During the day, it is recommended to follow an eat-play-sleep flow to stimulate your baby during their wake windows in between naps. At night, keep stimulation to a minimum by creating a dark and quiet environment.
Newborns often confuse night and day. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.
