How much sleep do newborns need?
Newborns sleep about 14 to 18 hours a day in the early weeks😪! Usually, they sleep for 2 to 4 hours every 2 hours day and night because they wake up when they get hungry. If your baby has a small stomach or is a glutton, she or he will wake up more compared to other babies. Also, babies are born with their days and nights reserved, so they become night owls and sleep more during the daytime. (This is why parents of newborns become “🧟zombie-like” in their baby’s early weeks!) Fortunately, your baby will start sleeping less during the day and more at night by 8 weeks.
Why does your newborn sleep so much?
It looks like all your baby does is sleep every day, but don’t worry Mom😉! They are doing their jobs in their dreams. A newborn’s brain develops as they sleep. All the new information about the world they consumed while they were awake is processed and consolidated during their sleep, so the babies get ready to explore the new environments when they are up again🧠. Physical development also takes place while babies are asleep. Their body processes nutrition and uses them for weight gain and strengthening the organs and joints!
Tips for baby sleep
🦉Turning night owls into a normal track
You can start teaching your baby to distinguish day from night, normally from week 2. During the day☀️, interact with your baby while they are awake as much as you can. Keep your home bright, including the baby’s room. You don’t need to mute all the daytime noises such as phone rings, doorbells, and kitchen noises! It will help your baby to understand the daytime.
At night🌙, do the opposite of what you did during the day. Dim the light and keep the noise level low. Don’t play with your baby even if they wake up in order to keep the energy level low. When your baby gets used to the cycle, it will be much easier for you to deal with their sleep!
🦉I still feel like my baby is sleeping too much!
Some babies are heavy sleepers😴. They don’t wake up to eat as often as they need to. Baby’s sleep habits are all different depending on each of their personalities. You don’t need to force the baby to wake up if they sleep well peacefully✨.
However, if they sleep more than 6 hours straight, you might want to gently wake them up to avoid hypoglycemia and dehydration. If you are unsure, it will be helpful if you record your baby’s sleep routine and intakes to see if they are sleeping and eating enough.