One of the most challenging things about being a new parent is to adjust your sleep in order to get used to your newborn’s sleep patterns. Understanding newborn sleep patterns will help you know what you should expect and how to find ways of creating a healthy sleep routine for your baby. In this guide, we are going to discuss typical newborn sleep cycles, the causes of frequent awakenings, and practical tips on how you and your baby will successfully get over this stage.
What constitutes the sleep patterns of newborns?
Sleep patterns for newborns are very different from those of older children and adults. Newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, in short periods, which can last from one to three hours. This is due to their circadian rhythm not being mature enough to regulate these sleep/wake cycles.
Sleep Cycles
Unlike adults, most of the time newborns spend sleeping falls into REM sleep, which is lighter and easily disturbed. This stage enables the maturation of the brain but can at the same time be responsible for awakenings. Non-REM sleep comprises about half the time the newborn will be sleeping.
Although tiring, this frequent waking has important functions in newborn babies. Most of the time, they wake up to eat, and since it is for the growth of their bodies, this is not an unnecessary trend. Newborns usually tend to need feeding after every two or three hours, and this can include the early morning hours when they are still supposed to be sleeping, to help the growth of their body tissues that grow very fast.
Other Reasons for Wakefulness
- Hunger: Newborns have small stomachs and need to be fed often; hence, this may interfere with their sleep.
- Discomfort: Newborns have sensitive nervous systems and are responsive to changes in their environment. A wet diaper, a raised or low temperature wakes them up, as do loud noises.
- Immature Nervous System: Newborn nervous systems are immature. They are startled easily while sleeping and have other involuntary movements that can wake them up.
Normal Sleep Schedule for Newborns
Although it may be some time before your newborn establishes a more routine pattern of sleep, here are a few things that you can do to promote healthier sleep habits for your baby.
1. Establish a Soothing Sleep Environment
Help your baby sleep better by keeping their bedroom quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature. One way to block out other sudden noises that may disturb your sleeping baby is by using white noise machines.
2. Bedtime Routine
The newborns are too small for any sort of strict schedule, but you can initiate a basic bedtime routine: bathe them with warm water, gently rock them, and dim the lights to let your baby know this is sleep time.
3. Daytime Feedings
Make sure that your baby gets enough during the day so that midnight awakenings are not overly frequent. Feeding every two or three hours will help to space out any night feeds in a child as they get bigger.
4. Swaddle for Comfort
The swaddling can effectively imitate the warm womb sensation and prevent your baby from startling themself awake. Just be sure to safely swaddle your newborn so that there is no risk of overheating or restricted movement.
5. Watch for Sleep Cues
Babies will naturally become sleepy and exhibit behaviors like eye-rubbing, fussiness, or turning their heads away. One of the better ways to prevent overtiredness, which makes it even more difficult to fall asleep, is to place your baby in their bed as soon as these cues are exhibited.
How Long Before Newborns Sleep Through the Night?
Remember that every baby is different, and the sleep pattern for a newborn can be different. Generally speaking, most babies start sleeping for longer stretches when they are three to six months old. At this age, their internal timekeepers’ circadian rhythms have matured enough to allow them to sleep more soundly during the night.
Feeding and Sleep Patterns
As your baby gets bigger they’ll often take more at each feed and therefore may sleep for longer without waking. Offering a dream feed-where you feed the sleeping baby before retiring to bed-may occasionally increase the amount of time they sleep without waking.
Common Sleep Challenges and Solutions
Despite having done everything right, sleep challenges may still occur. Following are some common newborn sleep concerns and how to resolve them:
1. Day/Night Confusion
Some babies have daytime and nighttime mixed up. A fussy baby may sleep more soundly and for longer stretches during the day, waking frequently at night. To help your baby distinguish, keep daytime feedings and play bright and lively, and nighttime feedings and activities quiet and subdued.
2. Night Wakings
You can also help teach your baby that nighttime is for sleeping by keeping nighttime feedings low-key. Try not to stimulate your baby with playtime. Keep the lights low and interactions to a minimum.
3. Difficulty Settling Down
Some fussy newborns have trouble settling down to sleep at all. A warm massage may be all your difficult-to-settle newborn needs to help them unwind before bedtime.
How Much Sleep Do Newborns Need?
Newborns rely on sleep for their growth and overall development. This provides them with the opportunity to further develop their bodies, protect them through immune function, and grow a strong brain. Understanding newborn sleep and supporting their need for sleep helps to lay the foundation for good sleep habits as they grow.
Understanding newborn sleep patterns will make the early months of parenthood more tolerable. Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your baby, observing your baby’s cues, and learning how to overcome a few classic sleep hurdles will help your baby develop healthier sleep habits. Remember that every baby is unique, and sleep evolves with time. Be patient; those sleepless nights will not last forever.
