When we tell you that newborns don’t have a sense of day versus night yet, you might realize that sleepless nights are routine now. Rest assured, though, that newborns do sleep a lot - 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, give or take but not straight through. Newborns usually wake every few hours (2-4) to feed, which means you will too during the night, or day. Bottle-fed babies may sleep longer stretches, but every baby is different. As your baby gets older, they should start sleeping longer as they can hold more food and nutrients to keep them satisfied. Regardless of how long your baby is sleeping, quality sleep is important. The more comfortable your baby is, the longer they may sleep, and the longer you may sleep, too. When you think of comfort for a baby, it’s much different than the comfort you might think of for yourself. Babies are transitioning from a dark, noisy, and small womb to a great big, bright, and noisy world.
What to Expect with Newborn Sleep Patterns
To help babies sleep, you will need them to feel a sense of security and calmness. Weighted sleep solutions are one way to deliver both of those, and a sound machine is another. When you use the two in combination, you can mimic the sense of security and comfort your baby felt in the womb. At Dreamland, we specialize in sleeping solutions for babies, prioritizing safety and sleep. Understanding your baby's sleep patterns can help you create a routine that works for both of you. Here’s what you should know about newborns and sleeping.
Is it normal for newborns to sleep all day?
Newborns need sleep, and while they may sleep a majority of the day, they should wake every few hours for a feeding. Most newborns sleep 14-17 hours a day, but some may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. Breastfed babies may wake more often compared to bottle-fed babies. During the first few months of a newborn's life, it can be tiring as you adjust to waking up every few hours. Hang in there, though, the sleep should get more plentiful soon. While we can’t guarantee when your baby will start sleeping longer stretches, we can offer sleep solutions that can promote a longer night’s sleep. From our Dream Weighted Sleep Swaddle (0-6 months) to Weighted Toddler Blanket, our collection of sleep solutions are designed in collaboration with pediatricians, NICU nurses, and certified sleep consultants, all to help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Can babies sleep too much?
While a sleeping baby can leave us parents rejoicing, when your baby takes an unplanned nap or sleeps longer stretches, the natural parent worries can kick in. Sleep is healthy for newborns, and as your baby gets older, sleep habits will change. By the time a baby is 6 months old, they may start to sleep 10-11 hours at a time. If they do, celebrate. If they don’t, consider finding sleep solutions, such as a weighted sleep sack to help them sleep longer. It’s not uncommon for a baby to rest for more than a few hours at a time. If you are concerned, you can use advanced monitors and other technology to ensure your baby is sleeping safely. Understanding the amount of time per day most babies sleep based on their age can help settle your worry.
- 0-3 months (newborn): 14-17 hours per day (24-hour period)
- 4-12 months: 12-16 hours per day (24-hour period)
How long should a newborn be awake?
Newborns (0-3 months) sleep a majority of the day with wake windows of about 1 to 3 hours at a time. However, all babies are different, so sleep and wake cycles can vary. As your newborn gets older, they can sleep longer stretches and stay up longer stretches.
How do I keep my newborn awake during the day?
When your baby is tired, you’ll likely know and probably won’t win the battle of keeping them awake. If you’d like to influence your baby to sleep more during the night and less during the day, there are a few things you can try.
- Let your baby know it’s daytime by exposing them to light and noise
- Help your baby know nighttime is approaching by keeping things quiet and dimming lights. During nighttime feedings, keep the lights dim and the room quiet.
Why would my newborn not wake up for feeds?
When your baby is sleeping sound, so sound they don’t want to wake for a feeding, you may wonder what to do. After all, waking a sleeping baby can be a dangerous game to play. If your baby is sleeping safely, you can let them sleep through their feeding, or you can wake them up. If you have any concerns about your baby’s food intake or sleeping habits, contact your pediatrician. Sleep and food are both important parts of a baby’s healthy development.
Should I be concerned if my newborn sleeps too much?
Sleeping habits can vary depending on the baby. While there are general patterns to expect, your baby’s sleeping patterns might vary a bit. During sleep regressions or growth spurts, your baby may crave more sleep as well. A sign that your baby is actually sleeping too much can be if sleeping is interfering with eating, causing your baby to lose weight. If you feel your baby is sleeping too much, let your pediatrician know. If there are no health concerns, appreciate the long stretches of sleep.
Conclusion
If your newborn is sleeping a lot, enjoy the peace. Newborns sleep a lot and don’t know the difference between day and night. Logging your baby’s sleeping times can help you prove just how much they are or aren’t sleeping. If you have concerns, provide your pediatrician with the information or share the concern. If you are experiencing the opposite - your newborn not sleeping enough - you may want to try a weighted sleep solution. You may also encounter a change in your newborn's sleeping patterns, causing them to struggle with sleep. Regardless, our weighted sleep solutions can help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. From our best-selling weighted sleep solutions to bamboo pajamas, fitted crib sheets, and Dream Sound Machine, at Dreamland we take sleep very seriously. Every detail and every minute of sleep matters to us.
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