When you have a baby, sleep is very important. Not only are you giving up sleep to make sure your baby stays fed, comfortable, and healthy, but you’re also paying close attention to your baby’s sleep. With this many questions arise. What is normal? When will my baby sleep through the night?
Over the course of the first year, your baby will begin to sleep more and more deeply. But with all the growth and development that occurs in this first year, it’s helpful to know what to expect and when. Read on to learn about newborn sleep habits, what sleep habits to expect at different ages, and how you can help your baby develop a more solid sleep schedule.
Newborns should sleep a lot
Newborns have a lot of growing to do and they need a lot of sleep to do it. Generally, newborns sleep about 16 out of every 24 hours. It takes time for babies to learn the difference between day and night, so at first, their sleep is usually split evenly between the two. They can sleep 1 to 3 hours at a time, day and night, and wake up to feed and change.
It’s important to keep in mind that your newborn’s sleep habits and the total amount of time he or she spends sleeping will be unique to him. The physical size of their stomach, the speed at which their body processes food, and how quickly they grow can affect how often they wake up and how long they spend sleeping.
Babies’ sleep cycles are much shorter than those of adults
When we sleep, we repeatedly go through a series of sleep stages that have different characteristics and depths. This is known as the sleep cycle. We go through three stages of progressively deeper non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep before reaching rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is lighter and involves more brain activity. The exact length of the sleep cycle changes throughout the night, but in adults it is usually around 90 minutes.
In comparison, babies have a much shorter sleep cycle, about 40 minutes. They also spend much more time in REM sleep than adults: about 50% versus 25%. This is because REM sleep is important for brain development and the formation of memories. In addition to waking up to eat or change a diaper, it’s normal for babies to wake up when transitioning from deep sleep to lighter sleep.
Baby sleep schedules by age
In your baby’s first year, you will see that he gradually begins to sleep more at night, sleeps for longer periods without waking up, and becomes more active during the day. How quickly this happens varies from baby to baby and there may be periods when your baby’s sleep patterns seem to regress. Here’s what you can generally expect at different ages:
- Newborn – During the first few months of his life, your baby can sleep about 16 hours a day, but he will not sleep for long periods at a time. At night, you can expect them to sleep between 1 and 3 hours between feedings. During the day, your baby will nap whenever he wants and for as long as he wants: it can be a few minutes or a few hours.
- 2-4 months – Your baby may sleep 3 to 6 hours at a time during the night, waking up twice to feed. During the day they usually take three or four naps lasting between 30 minutes and three hours. In total, they will sleep between 14 and 16 hours a day.
- 4-6 months – At this point, the baby may be sleeping 6-8 hours through the night and waking up to feed only once. This is also when some babies noticeably begin to stay awake longer, almost as much as they sleep. Most babies this age need between 12 and 15 hours of sleep, which they divide between night sleep and three naps.
- 6-8 months – Around half a year, many babies begin to sleep through the night, 9 to 12 hours straight. Babies this age still need 12 to 15 hours of sleep. But because they sleep so much at night, they probably only need one or two naps during the day to get the sleep they need.
- 8 months to 1 year – At this point, babies will sleep most of the time needed at night. They will sleep 10 to 12 hours a night and take one or two shorter naps during the day, for a total of 11 to 15 hours of sleep.
When to give your baby a sleep schedule
Babies usually begin to develop their circadian rhythm (mentally and physically distinguishing between day and night) when they are around 2-3 months old. But they may not start sleeping through the night until they are 4 to 6 months old. If you want to try specific strategies to develop your baby’s sleep schedule, it is recommended to wait until he or she is at least in this 4 to 6 month range.
How to get your baby on a sleep schedule
There are a few key things you can do that can help your baby fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and develop a more mature sleep schedule. These include:
- Establishing a routine – As with any type of schedule, consistency is important. Putting your baby to bed at the same time every night is the first step in teaching him to associate nighttime with sleep. Putting them to bed when they show signs of drowsiness can help develop this association and give them opportunities to begin to calm down.
- Highlighting day and night – Using your behavior to show what different time periods are for can help reinforce your baby’s budding circadian rhythm. During the day, be active, let plenty of light into your home, and don’t hesitate to make noise. In the evening, slow down, be calmer, and practice a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as a bath or reading aloud.
- Minimize late-night interaction – Even when they start sleeping for longer periods, it is still normal for your baby to wake up during the night. To make it clear that the night is for sleeping, try to approach awakenings with as little interaction as possible. Stay quiet and do only what you need to address why your baby woke up. If possible, leave the lights off and do not take the baby out of his crib.
Questions about your baby’s sleep? Talk to an expert
Every baby is different and developing a sleep schedule is not necessarily a straight line. Your baby may reach certain milestones earlier or later than expected. They may also go through periods where their sleep returns to what it was at an earlier stage. If you have questions about what’s normal or notice a sudden change in your baby’s sleep patterns, talk to a pediatrician. They can evaluate your baby’s health and history and make recommendations based on your baby’s specific needs.
