Baby
How Much Should a Newborn Sleep?
By Raised Editorial ยท
Wondering if your baby is sleeping too much or too little? Here is a breakdown of normal newborn sleep totals and why they sleep so erratically in the first few months.
One of the most common questions new parents ask is: "Is my baby sleeping too much?" closely followed by, "Is my baby sleeping too little?"
When you bring a newborn home, their sleep patterns can feel completely chaotic. One day they sleep for 18 hours straight, only waking up to eat. The next day, they refuse to nap and stay awake for five hours in a row.
So, what is actually normal? Here is a biological breakdown of how much a newborn should sleep in the first few months of life.
The Averages: How Many Hours Do They Need?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborns (0 to 3 months old) generally need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
However, it is crucial to understand that this is just an average. Some healthy babies may only sleep 11 or 12 hours a day, while others might sleep up to 19 hours a day.
Why is Newborn Sleep So Unpredictable?
Newborns do not consolidate their sleep into one long stretch at night like adults do. Instead, their 14 to 17 hours of sleep are broken up into short bursts across the entire day and night. Here is why:
- Tiny Stomachs: A newborn's stomach is incredibly small (about the size of a cherry at birth, growing to the size of an egg by week two). Because breast milk and formula are digested quickly, they must wake up every 2 to 3 hours to eat and refuel.
- No Circadian Rhythm: Before they are born, babies are in constant darkness. It takes about 8 to 12 weeks for a baby's brain to mature enough to produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) in response to darkness. Until then, they have no concept of day or night.
When to Worry About Too Much Sleep
While it is normal for a newborn to sleep a lot, there are times when you might need to intervene.
In the first couple of weeks, you must wake your baby to feed them if they sleep longer than 3 hours at a time. This is critical until the pediatrician confirms that your baby has surpassed their birth weight and is gaining weight steadily. Once the doctor gives the green light, you can usually let them sleep as long as they want at night.
However, you should contact your doctor immediately if your baby is so sleepy that they:
- Cannot be woken up for feeds.
- Fall asleep immediately after latching, before getting a full feed.
- Have fewer than 6 wet diapers a day (a sign of dehydration).
When to Worry About Too Little Sleep
If your baby is consistently sleeping less than 11 hours in a 24-hour period, or if they are awake for more than 2.5 hours at a time, they are likely becoming chronically overtired.
An overtired newborn will fight sleep, scream, and have a very difficult time settling down. If your baby is refusing to sleep, try resetting their environment (go into a dark, quiet room with white noise) and focus on catching their "sleep cues" (like yawning or staring blankly) earlier in their wake window.