Newborns And Sleep: Understanding Their Slumber Patterns

Newborns typically sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day, with their sleep occurring in short bursts of 30 minutes to three hours at a time. This is because newborns have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently, so they can only sleep for short periods before they need to eat again. They also don't have an established sleep-wake rhythm, so they can't tell the difference between day and night. As they grow older, their sleep cycles will start to mature and they will develop their own circadian rhythm.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles

Newborns sleep in short bursts because they need regular feeding. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. Newborns can only stay awake for about an hour to an hour and a half before needing to nap again.

Newborns also sleep in short bursts because they do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They do not know the difference between day and night. At around three months of age, they may start to learn the rhythm of day and night.

You can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night.

They don't know the difference between day and night

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 19 hours a day in their first year. This sleep is usually spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, especially during the first few months.

Newborns can't tell the difference between day and night. They need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or a circadian rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.

This is why newborns may sleep for long stretches during the day and then wake up more regularly at night. They are simply continuing the cycle they are used to from the womb, where they were lulled to sleep by their mother's movements during the day and were more active at night when their mother was still.

To help newborns develop an internal clock, parents can keep them in bright or sunny spaces during the day and remove bright lights at night. It is also important to keep the mood calm and quiet at night so that they learn that nighttime is for sleep, not activities.

They need to be woken to feed

Newborns need to be woken to feed because they need to eat frequently to get the nourishment they need. Their tummies are tiny, so they get hungry very quickly. Newborns typically wake up to feed every 2 to 4 hours.

Breastfed newborns shouldn't go more than 2 to 4 hours without eating, while formula-fed babies shouldn't go longer than 3 to 4 hours. These rules typically apply to babies 3 weeks and younger who are still establishing a pattern of weight gain.

If your newborn is a heavy sleeper and doesn't cry when they're hungry, you might have to wake them to feed. You can try to wake them by brushing the side of their cheek, which can trigger the rooting reflex. If that doesn't work, try gently wiggling their toes or stroking the bottoms of their feet, as most babies dislike this.

If your newborn is sleeping too much and not waking up to feed, this could be a sign of a more serious medical issue. If you suspect your baby is sleeping too much, not feeding well, or seems lethargic, you should take them to the pediatrician or emergency room right away for an evaluation.

Once a newborn's weight gain pattern is established, your pediatrician should give you the go-ahead to wait for overnight feedings until your baby wakes up.

They need a lot of sleep because they're learning and growing quickly

Newborns need a lot of sleep—anywhere from 11 to 19 hours a day in their first year. This is because they are learning and growing at a rapid rate.

In the first 12 months of life, a baby's brain size will double. They are taking in a whole new world and learning how to talk, sit, crawl, and more. Sleep plays a critical role in this development, helping to promote learning and the consolidation of new memories and neural connections. During sleep, the brain releases growth hormones, and every second a baby is asleep, their neural connections are forming rapidly.

Sleep also helps regulate a newborn's temperature, heart rate, and immune system. It is an important part of their physical and mental health and well-being.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and they don't know the difference between day and night. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.

As newborns grow into infants, they begin to develop a schedule and start sleeping longer at night. By the age of six months, 90% of babies sleep through the night.

It is important to note that while newborns need a lot of sleep, they also need to be awake and alert for feeding, bonding, and other essential activities. If a newborn is sleeping for longer periods than usual (more than six to eight hours at a time) or if they are difficult to wake for feedings, this may be a cause for concern and you should consult your pediatrician.

Oversleeping can be a sign of illness or a more serious medical issue

Newborns generally sleep anywhere from 11 to 19 hours a day in their first year. This sleep is usually spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night, especially during the first few months.

While it's normal and necessary for newborns to sleep a lot as they're growing and developing, oversleeping can sometimes be a sign of illness or a more serious medical issue.

For example, a newborn who is sleeping too much may have a cold or a fever. In rare cases, oversleeping can indicate a more serious medical condition, such as congenital heart disease. Premature babies often have different sleep patterns from full-term infants, and some may sleep too much due to jaundice.

Additionally, newborns who are not getting enough to eat may sleep excessively. They may become dehydrated, lose weight, and experience a failure to thrive. This can happen if there is a problem with nursing, as it can be challenging to measure how much a baby is eating when breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

If you're concerned that your newborn is sleeping too much, it's important to consult a pediatrician or a healthcare provider. They can help assess the situation and determine if there are any underlying issues.

• The baby seems extremely fussy, and soothing techniques are not working.
• The baby is uninterested in feeding.
• The baby is having difficulty waking up.
• The baby is sleeping through feedings or sleeping longer than 19 hours per day (unless they are ill).

Frequently asked questions