What you need to know about newborn sleep
Your questions: Answered.
Between the sweet noises they make and the frequent wake ups at night, newborn sleep can quickly go from adorable to exhausting. We’re here to help you navigate this time. You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers.
Why do newborn babies sleep so much?
Newborns need a lot of sleep (up to 18 hours a day!) because they are growing and developing at a rapid pace. These hours spent snoozing are critical to supporting their mental and physical health. This is a period of rapid growth: In the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second – a pace never repeated again. However, if you are ever worried that your newborn is sleeping too much, always reach out to their health care provider.
How much should a newborn sleep?
Newborns sleep up to 18 hours each day broken up into short periods. When babies are born, they are unable to tell the difference between night and day. Their natural sleep rhythms develop over the weeks and months.
As their brain develops, there are reasons for them not to sleep because there are things to be curious about, so they get into a pattern of being awake for longer periods of time, engaging and interacting with the people and the world around them, and then falling asleep again. It is crucial to your baby’s brain and physical development that they get enough sleep.
How do I safely put my newborn to sleep?
To keep your baby safe at night, remember the ABCs of safe sleep:
Always place your baby to sleep on their back in a clear sleep space free of any objects like bumpers, toys, pillows and loose bedding.
Babies should always be near their caregivers during the first six months – day or night. Your baby should have their own, separate sleep space, but they are safest when you are close by. The space they sleep in should always be smoke free.
Keep your baby from getting too hot or too cold by dressing your child in seasonally appropriate bedclothes for where you live. It is also important to keep your baby’s head uncovered while they sleep so they don’t get too hot or suffocate.
What is active sleep?
Just like their caregivers, newborns go through different phases of sleep. Newborns have two phases of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM), also referred to as “active sleep” and non-rapid eye movement (NREM), also called “quiet sleep.”
During active sleep, you may notice that your newborn’s eyes move, their breathing speeds up, their limbs move, they make noises and move their mouths. These are all to be expected.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your newborn’s sleeping behaviours, be sure to reach out to their healthcare provider.
What do I do when my newborn cries at night?
Newborns need to be looked after if you hear them crying at night. Letting your baby cry and ignoring them at this stage makes them feel that nothing they do makes a difference and they don’t matter to anyone. At this point, babies need to know they are loved and cared for.
Remember that young babies from newborn to four months are not capable of learning a routine at this age. This is not the time to set boundaries, responding to their cues for feeding and comfort helps babies to feel secure and reduces the crying.
Sometimes, even after it feels like you have tried everything, your little one will continue to cry. If you are feeling upset, put your baby in a safe place (see ‘How do I safely put my newborn to sleep?’) and take a short break (5-10 minutes) before coming back to try again.
No matter how upset you feel, never shake, hit or shout at your baby.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. If you are able, reach out to your partner, a trusted family member or a friend to watch your baby so you can get some rest yourself.
Remember, the newborn phase is temporary and this time will pass.
>> Learn how to calm your crying newborn
What is sudden infant death syndrome?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is when a baby dies suddenly, without warning and with no clear cause. SIDS is rare, but it is important to be aware of the steps you can take to reduce the risk.
What is colic?
Colic is when babies cry frequently for lengthy periods. If your baby is crying a lot (more than three hours a day, three days a week for at least one week), colic could be the issue. The precise causes of colic are unknown, but it’s common in many newborn babies. It can start when a baby is a few weeks old and usually will go away by around six months. While it can be very worrying and stressful as a parent, be reassured that it is temporary and will pass.
Unfortunately, there may be little you can do but try to comfort your baby. Contact your health care provider if your baby continues to cry a great deal, you are worried about your baby or you’re finding it difficult to cope.
