How Many Hours A Day Newborn Sleep

How Much Sleep Do Babies And Kids Need

Eric Suni

Staff Writer

Eric Suni has over a decade of experience as a science writer and was previously an information specialist for the National Cancer Institute.

Learn About The Editorial TeamFact Checked

Sleep Foundation

Fact-Checking: Our Process

At Sleep Foundation, we personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials.

Guidelines for our testing methodology are as follows:

Sleep is of paramount importance to young children. Early in life, a person experiences tremendous development that affects the brain, body, emotions, and behavior and sets the stage for their continued growth through childhood and adolescence.

In light of this, its normal for parents to want to make sure that their children, whether babies or young kids, get the sleep that they need. After convening a panel of experts to review the existing research, the National Sleep Foundation formulated recommendations for total daily sleep needs by age Trusted SourceNational Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

How Much Sleep Do Babies Need

Fact-Checked

Babies are asleep for more than half of their first year of life . This time spent sleeping allows an infants brain and nervous system to develop, preparing them for the years to come.

We cover how much sleep your baby needs to promote healthy growth, why sleep is so crucial for infants and toddlers, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about infant sleep habits.

Recommended Reading: How Much Is Health Insurance For A Newborn Baby

What Are Some Common Sleep Problems

• Sleep deprivation: Some children dont get enough sleep. If your child is fussy, cranky or has difficulty staying asleep at night it might be because they arent getting enough naptime or aren’t getting to bed early enough.
• : Your child may have difficulty relaxing and going to sleep if they feel upset that you are not there. Try an extra long cuddle before bedtime, a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal, or leaving their door open when you put them to bed.
• Nightmares: Most children will experience nightmares at one time or another. Nightmares can happen after a stressful physical or emotional event or can be caused by fever. Your child may call out to you for comfort. Talk calmly, cuddle and reassure your child.

Recommended Reading: Why Do Newborns Cry So Much

How Can You Help Your Baby Fall Asleep

Not all babies know how to put themselves to sleep. When it’s time for bed, many parents want to rock their baby to sleep. Newborns and younger infants will fall asleep while breastfeeding. Having a routine at bedtime is a good idea. But if an older baby falls asleep while eating or in your arms, this may become a pattern. Your baby may then start to expect to be in your arms to fall asleep. When your baby briefly awakens during a sleep cycle, he or she may not be able to go back to sleep on his or her own.

After the newborn period, most experts recommend allowing your baby to become sleepy in your arms, then placing him or her in the bed while still awake. This way your baby learns how to go to sleep on his or her own. Playing soft music while your baby is getting sleepy is also a good way to help create a bedtime routine.

Dont Play The Blame Game

Brooding about the situation will make it harder for you to fall asleep when you are given the opportunity. And its wrong-headed, too: You might be doing everything you can to get more sleep, and still be stuck with a baby who sleeps less than average.

Research suggests that the amount of sleep we get at night is strongly influenced by genetics , and, as mentioned above, there is a lot of individual variation among newborns.

You May Like: How To Help A Newborn Poop When Constipated

Is It Normal For My Dog To Sleep All Day

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs spend around half of the day asleep, 30% awake but relaxing and about 20% being active.

So, it is normal for your dog to sleep or rest for a majority of the day.

However, excessive sleep can be concerning for any pet owner. If your dog is sleeping too much, this could indicate health issues, such as canine depression, diabetes and hypothyroidism, says the AKC.

When Should I Talk To My Doctor

• Loud snoring: If your child regularly snores loudly, this can be a sign of a problem.
• Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking is a disorder where a child is partly awake, but not completely, during the night. Your child may sit up in bed and repeat certain movements, such as rubbing their eyes. They may get out of bed and walk around the room. When you talk to your child, they usually wont answer you. If your child sleepwalks it is important that you ensure the area is safe. Gently guide your child back to bed without waking them. If the problem continues, contact your doctor.
• Night terrors: These are different from nightmares. Children with night terrors scream uncontrollably, may breathe quickly, and seem to be awake. If you wake your child, they will likely to be confused, and may take longer to settle down and go back to sleep. Night terrors usually happen between the ages of 4 and 12, but can happen to children as young as 18 months old. Most children will outgrow them, but talk to your doctor if they persist.

Recommended Reading: When Is The Best Time To Do Newborn Photos

Baby Squirrels Huddle In Their Nests

They prefer to sleep huddled up in their drey with their brothers and sisters for protection from the elements and safety.

So now weve found out about how many squirrels like to sleep. You might be wondering whether squirrels nap when the sun is high or whether they are just like humans and prefer to sleep in the dark of night.

Lets find out.

When To Set Up A Sleep Routine

Itâs never too early to think about adding structure around your babyâs sleep, but keep in mind that it may be several months before your baby has a predictable sleep pattern.Newborns donât yet know the difference between day and night and their circadian rhythms are still developing. And because their stomachs are so small, newborns can only go for a few hours before they need to be fed again, even during the night.At this early stage, itâs more important to cater to your babyâs feeding and sleep needs , rather than pushing a strict sleep schedule onto your little one. Look out for your babyâs drowsy periods and encourage sleep then.If you want, you can start keeping track of when your baby sleeps and feeds, and begin to put together a bedtime routine that you could follow consistently. Later on, when you may wish to start sleep training, having some basic sleep routines already in place may make things easier.

You May Like: How Much Do Newborn Photo Shoots Cost

When Should I Seek A Doctors Help

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• Your baby seems to be extremely fussy/irritable or cannot be soothed he/she may have a medical problem such as colic or reflux .
• Your baby appears to have a breathing problem.
• Your baby has a difficult time being awakened from sleep.
• Your baby is uninterested in feeding or persistently shies away from activity.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/17/2020.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Accessed 3/23/2020.
• National Sleep Foundation. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sleep. Accessed 3/23/2020.
• American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. November 2016, 138. Accessed 3/23/2020.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Safe Sleep. Accessed 3/23/2020.
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Education. Healthy Sleep Habits. Accessed 3/23/2020.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Also Check: What To Do For Jaundice Newborn At Home

Sleeping Through The Night

While the amount of daytime sleep your baby needs will decrease as they get older, their nighttime sleep duration will get longer which is good news for you! However, you shouldnt expect your newborn to be sleeping through the night quite yet. Find out what to expect and how to make it happen in our article: When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night & What Might Be Preventing It?

After 3 months, your baby still needs a good 13-15 hours of sleep per day. Colic, sleep regressions, acid reflux/gas, and Moro reflex are just a few of the things that could be interfering with your babys sleep. The Zen Swaddle or Zen Sack can help with many issues, but some fixes might require a change in routine. You can check out our 7 Highly Effective Sleep Tips to help, or read up on 2 month old sleep and 3 month old sleep. If you find your baby is not getting anywhere near the amount of sleep on our chart, it might be a good idea to talk with your pediatrician to make sure everything is okay.

You May Like: How Can I Put My Newborn To Sleep

Squirrels Build Up Fat Reserves For Winter

Weve all seen a gray squirrel busy gathering nuts during the fall. This is so he can build up fat reserves to protect and keep him strong during the long cold winter months.

Gray squirrels along with his more colorful cousin the red squirrel, sleep in a comfy nest they have built made of twigs and sticks.

How To Set Up A Bedtime Routine

The idea behind a bedtime routine is to settle and relax your baby before putting her down in her crib for sleep, including for naps.Because babies tend to love routine, having a simple ritual that you always follow helps your baby anticipate and learn that the time for sleep is coming, and helps her wind down.A bedtime routine can include a bath, a song or story, or a baby massage. Avoid any stimulating activities in the period just before sleep.Make sure your baby is still awake when you place him in his crib. This helps create a positive sleep association with the crib.

Read Also: How Long Can Newborn Sleep At Night

Q: Should A 6 Week Old Be On A Schedule

No, we dont recommend a fixed schedule for newborns. Sleep at this age is largely controlled by hunger and wake windows, rather than circadian rhythms. Parents craving more predictability may find it more helpful to follow a routine, such as eat, play, sleep.

Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.

What Sleeping Through The Night Means

As much as they long for it to happen, many parents aren’t even sure what it means for a baby to sleep through the night. According to sleep experts, sleeping through the night means different things depending on your baby’s age. “Sleeping through the night” for a 3-month-old is different from that of a 10-month-old.

Read Also: How Do I Get Medicare For My Newborn

Your Baby’s Sleeping Position

Always put your baby to sleep on their back with their feet touching the end of the cot.

Do not let your baby sleep while lying on their tummy. Babies who sleep on their tummies have a higher risk of cot death. You can give your baby some tummy time when they are awake.

If your baby always lies with their head in the same position they might develop a flat head. This is called plagiocephaly.

You can help prevent this when putting your baby down to sleep on their back. When they are lying flat, you can alternate their head position so that sometimes they face left and sometimes they face right.

What Are The Sleep States Of A Newborn

Babies, like adults, have various stages and depths of sleep. Depending on the stage, the baby may actively move or lie very still. Infant sleep patterns begin forming during the last months of pregnancy?active sleep first, then quiet sleep by about the eighth month. There are two types of sleep:

• REM . This is a light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly back and forth. Although babies spend about 16 hours each day sleeping, about half of this is in REM sleep. Older children and adults sleep fewer hours and spend much less time in REM sleep.

• Non-REM sleep. Non-REM has 4 stages:

• Stage 1: drowsiness, eyes droop, may open and close, dozing

• Stage 2: light sleep, the baby moves and may startle or jump with sounds

• Stage 3: deep sleep, the baby is quiet and does not move

• Stage 4: very deep sleep, the baby is quiet and does not move

A baby enters stage 1 at the beginning of the sleep cycle, then moves into stage 2, then 3, then 4, then back to 3, then 2, then to REM. These cycles may occur several times during sleep. Babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may have difficulty going back to sleep in the first few months.

Recommended Reading: How Long Do You Breastfeed A Newborn

How Long Do Newborns Sleep

Congratulations! Youve brought your new little one home! You might have already noticed that your newborn sleeps most of the time: usually around 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period.

In the first 6 months of life, your baby will almost double their size and weight. All this hard work means they need plenty of sleep and food.

But even though babies sleep a lot, parents and caregivers are still exhausted.

Your baby will probably interrupt your sleep every hour or so for a meal or a diaper change. Some babies also prefer being more active and playful at night than during the day.

Babies normally wake up ravenous for a feed every few hours. Even if they dont wake up on their own, youll have to wake them up to eat every 23 hours until theyre above their birth weight.

New little ones have stomachs the size of an acorn. This means they get full quickly, but must feed every 1 to 3 hours even if this means summoning you from sleep in the middle of the night!

How To Help Newborns Get In Sync With The Natural 24

1. Make your baby a part of your daily routine.

When parents include their newborns in their daily activities, newborn may adapt more rapidly to the 24-hour day .

One study took continuous measurements of mother-infant activity patterns for four months after birth. Newborns who were active at the same time of day as their mothers were quicker to develop mature circadian rhythms .

2. Reduce stimulation at night.

When your baby wakes for night time feedings, keep activity to a minimum. Make as little noise as possible, and avoid moving your baby around. Ideally, you want to avoid waking her all the way up. But if that isnt possible, at least try to minimize the hustle and bustle. You want the baby to learn that nighttime is for sleep and quiet.

3. Expose your newborn to natural lighting patterns.

Light cues might not instantly synchronize newborn sleep patterns, but they help.

For example, in one study, newborns slept longer at night if their parents observed a regular policy of turning out the lights by 9pm .

In another study, young babies tended to sleep longer at night if they had been exposed to lots of early afternoon light .

And time spent outdoors might make an important difference. Babies who go outside experience much higher daytime light levels than those kept indoors all day, and may develop stronger circadian rhythms as a result .

4. Try infant massage.

The takeaway? More research is needed on this topic , but meanwhile, this seems worth a try.

Also Check: How To Establish Good Sleeping Habits For Newborn

Let A Friend Or Family Member Watch Your Baby While You Take A Nap Even If This Means Your Breastfed Baby Will Take Some Meals From A Bottle

Lactation experts often discourage breastfeeding mothers from bottle feeding babies for the first 3-4 weeks. The worry is that supplemental feeds will lead to a decreased milk supply and endanger successful breastfeeding in the long-term.

But you need to balance this against the negative effects of severe sleep restriction. Lack of sleep puts parents at increased risk of illness and postpartum depression, which is bad for parents and babies. If you are at the end of your rope, get help.

Newborns Are Noisy Sleepers

Irregular breathing that may include short pauses and weird noises is rarely cause for alarm, but it can freak new parents out.

Here’s a quick lesson on your baby’s respiratory development to put things into perspective: A newborn’s normal breathing rate is about 40 to 60 breaths a minute while he’s awake, though that may slow to 30 to 40 breaths per minute once he’s asleep. Or he might take shallow, rapid breaths for 15 to 20 seconds followed by a total pause in which he stops breathing entirely for a few seconds.

You can blame all this on the immature breathing-control center in his brain, which is still a work-in-progress.

You May Like: How Much Do Newborn Kittens Eat