If you’re a new parent, it’s normal to feel concerned about your baby’s sleep. One common question parents often ask is, “Is my newborn baby sleeping too much?” Since newborn sleep patterns can be tricky to understand, many parents worry about what’s normal and what might be concerning.
This post will explore newborn sleep patterns, how much sleep is normal, and when to consult your pediatrician. We’ll also provide helpful tips on healthy sleep habits for your little one.
How Much Sleep Do Newborns Need?
Newborns have different sleep needs compared to older children and adults. Newborn babies sleep 14–17 hours a day. Although this seems to be an overwhelming amount of sleep, newborns need this rest. During sleep, your baby’s brain consolidates all the new experiences, sounds, and sights they’ve encountered throughout the day.
Due to this, sleep plays a vital role in cognitive development. However, newborns don’t sleep for long stretches like adults do. Instead, they take short naps that last 2-4 hours. This sleep pattern is due to their need for regular feeding, as newborns have tiny stomachs that hold a small amount of milk.
As they grow and their stomachs expand, they can sleep for longer stretches between meals. Let’s take a look at why your newborn baby sleeping too much.
Why Do Newborns Sleep So Much?
It seems all your newborn does is sleep, eat, and cry, but this is a normal part of their early development. Here’s why your baby is snoozing so much:
- Brain Development: Your baby is growing at a rapid rate. At birth, their brain and body are developing new cells and tissues, and making connections, which require a lot of energy. All these developments happen during sleep, underscoring the role of sleep in brain development.
- Physical Growth: Babies grow fast during the first few months, and growth hormone is primarily released during sleep. This makes sleep essential for healthy physical development.
- Energy Conservation: Because babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb, they tire easily. Simple tasks like feeding and observing their surroundings are exhausting, leading to frequent naps.
- Adjusting to Life Outside the Womb: While in the womb, your baby was in a dark, quiet, and warm environment. After birth, they need time to adjust to the new sights, sounds, and sensations. Sleep helps them adapt to these changes while providing a sense of security.
While frequent naps and irregular sleep patterns are normal for newborns, you still wonder if your newborn baby sleeping too much. Let’s explore to determine what’s typical and when to be concerned.
Can Newborn Baby Sleeping Too Much? How Much Sleep Is Too Much?
Since newborns sleep a lot, it’s challenging to distinguish between normal sleep patterns and excessive sleeping. Consider the length of time your baby sleeps and their overall health and behavior. A point to stress is—if your baby consistently sleeps more than expected, pay close attention to their overall behavior.
What’s Normal in Newborn Sleep Patterns?
As a rule, newborns sleep 14–17 hours, broken into shorter naps. Some newborns sleep up to 18 hours, especially in the first few weeks of life. Each baby is different, and there’s no need to panic if your baby sleeps slightly more or less than this rate. Here’s a quick guide to what’s normal for newborn sleep patterns in the first few months:
- 0 to 1 Month: Babies tend to sleep the most, often clocking 14–18 hours. However, their sleep is fragmented into short naps, lasting 2-4 hours at a time.
- 1 to 3 Months: Babies’ sleep becomes more predictable, though they’ll still need 14–17 hours of sleep a day. They have longer stretches of sleep at night, but frequent waking for feedings is still common.
These are general ranges. If your baby sleeps more than these ranges, it’s not always a reason to worry unless other signs of concern arise.
Signs Your Newborn Baby Sleeping Too Much: When to Worry About Excessive Sleep
Some parents still worry about their newborn baby sleeping too much. It’s not surprising to wonder whether your baby’s frequent sleep is normal or if it indicates an underlying issue. In most cases, a newborn sleeping for long periods isn’t a problem. There are a few signs to watch for that indicate your baby is sleeping excessively.
1. Missing Multiple Feedings
Newborns need to eat frequently, every 2-3 hours, to ensure they’re getting enough nutrition. If your baby is sleeping through multiple feedings without waking up to eat, it could signal something is off. Missing too many feedings leads to poor weight gain and dehydration. Wake your baby for feedings if they’re sleeping too long.
2. Feeding Issues
If your baby isn’t feeding well, they become overly tired and sleep more than they should. Poor feeding results from breastfeeding difficulties, bottle-feeding challenges, or an underlying medical issue. If your baby is sleeping excessively and not eating enough, seek help from your pediatrician or a lactation consultant. Your baby’s sleep patterns will fluctuate as they grow, but it’s better to consult your healthcare provider for reassurance.
3. Difficulty Gaining Weight or Lack of Growth
Babies grow rapidly during the first few months of life, and regular feedings ensure healthy weight gain. Adequate sleep and feeding go hand-in-hand for proper growth. If your newborn baby sleeping too much and not eating enough, you notice they’re not gaining weight as expected. If this happens, consult your pediatrician to rule out feeding difficulties or other concerns.
4. Low Energy Levels When Awake
When your baby is awake, they should be alert and engaged with their surroundings, even for short periods. If your baby seems lethargic, overly tired, or sluggish after a long nap, it might indicate they’re not getting enough stimulation or an underlying issue affecting their energy levels.
5. Trouble Waking Up for Extended Periods
If you have difficulty waking your baby up for feedings or they seem unresponsive to sounds or touch, it may be a red flag. Babies rouse themselves easily, especially when they’re hungry. If your baby is persistently hard to wake, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
6. Difficulty Breathing or Unusually Weak Crying
Some illnesses, such as infections or respiratory issues, cause a baby to become lethargic and sleep more than usual. If your baby seems to be sleeping excessively and displaying other symptoms such as fever, coughing, or poor feeding, get them checked by a healthcare professional.
7. Jaundice or Yellowing of the Skin
Jaundice is a condition in which a baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes take on a yellowish tint. This occurs when there’s a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. Jaundice makes a baby sleepier than usual, and in some cases, it’s a sign of an underlying health issue. If you notice your baby’s skin turning yellow, seek your pediatrician immediately.
When to Contact Your Pediatrician
Your doctor assesses if an underlying issue needs to be addressed and provides guidance to ensure your newborn baby is getting enough nutrition and rest. For example, babies with jaundice or other health conditions are sleepier than usual. In these cases, your pediatrician may recommend waking your baby more frequently for feedings so they’re getting enough calories to grow.
Encouraging Healthy Sleep Habits for Your Newborn
While newborns don’t follow a strict sleep schedule, there are ways to encourage healthy sleep habits that benefit you and your baby. Here are some practical tips to establish a routine and create a safe sleep environment.
- Create a Day and Night Difference: Newborns don’t know the difference between day and night, so start teaching them early. You can help them learn by creating distinct day and night routines. During the day, keep the environment bright and active. Open curtains, play the music, and engage with your baby by talking and playing during their awake periods. At night, keep the environment calm and quiet. Dim the lights, reduce noise, and use a soothing voice to signal it’s time for sleep.
- Watch for Sleep Cues: Babies give subtle signals when they’re ready to sleep. Watch for signs such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy. These cues indicate your baby is tired and ready for a nap. Putting them down to sleep before they become overtired helps them settle more easily and sleep better.
- Develop a Bedtime Routine: Although your newborn won’t have a strict bedtime, creating a calming bedtime routine signals it’s time for sleep. A simple routine includes changing into pajamas, feeding, reading a short story, or singing a lullaby. Over time, your baby will associate these activities with sleep, making it easy to establish a consistent routine as they get older.
For more information on setting up a bedtime routine, check out our post on creating a sleep routine for your baby, Helpful Tips to Put Your Newborn Baby to Sleep So You Can Get Some Rest Too
- Practice Safe Sleep: Safe sleep is essential for your baby’s well-being. Always place your baby on their back to sleep and use a firm mattress in a crib or bassinet. Avoid placing soft objects, such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys, on the sleeping surface, as these increase the risk of SIDS. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, and dress your baby in lightweight sleep clothing to avoid overheating.
For more guidance on safe sleep practices, check out this article on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby: 4 Things to Consider in Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Baby
How Long Should My Baby Sleep at Night?
Newborns often have irregular sleep patterns in the first few months, meaning they will wake up frequently throughout the night to eat. By around 3-4 months, some babies begin to sleep for longer stretches at night. However, it’s normal for babies to continue waking up for nighttime feedings until they are around 6 months old.
Night Waking Is Normal
Night waking in newborns is normal and not something to be overly concerned about. It may feel exhausting for parents, but these frequent wakings ensure your baby gets enough nutrition during the early months. Many parents wonder when their baby will start sleeping through the night. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some babies start sleeping for longer stretches at 3 months, while others may take longer.
Every baby is different, and there’s no set timeline for when they’ll start sleeping through the night. Be patient and flexible, and focus on establishing healthy sleep habits that will benefit your baby as they grow.
Tips for Parents: Coping with Newborn Sleep Patterns
The first few months with a newborn can be a whirlwind, especially when sleep is interrupted every few hours. Here are some helpful tips to manage your sleep and well-being during this time:
- Nap When Your Baby Naps: It may sound cliché, but sleeping when your baby sleeps makes a difference. Even if it’s just a short nap, rest when you can to help recharge your energy.
- Share Nighttime Duties: If possible, share nighttime duties with a partner. Taking turns with feedings or diaper changes ensures that both parents get some rest.
- Create a Calming Nighttime Routine for Yourself: Just like babies benefit from a calming nighttime routine, so do parents. Try to wind down before bed by turning off screens, taking a warm bath, or reading a book to help your body relax and prepare for sleep.
Mom Knows Best, Understand Your Newborn’s Sleep
During the early weeks and months, newborn sleep is unpredictable, but this is entirely normal. Babies need a lot of sleep to support their growth and development, and each baby’s sleep needs are unique. If you’re concerned whether your newborn baby sleeping too much, pay attention to their feeding schedule, energy levels, and overall health. Your baby’s sleep patterns evolve as they grow. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to seek your pediatrician.
The key is to focus on creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment, establishing a consistent routine, and giving yourself grace during this transition. With time, you and your baby will settle into a sleep rhythm that works for your family.
