Most new parents are eager to know how to help their newborn baby sleep better as soon as possible. How much should the child be sleeping, and how can we gently shape a baby’s sleep in these early months? These are important questions because, while newborns typically sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, their sleep is not organized or well-developed.
There are a few reasons for this. First, they have yet to establish the difference between their days and nights. In the first three to four months, half of their sleep is REM — or active, light — sleep. Newborns are much more easily aroused from sleep than adults because of this. In addition, newborns’ stomachs are tiny and can only hold so much milk, so they need to eat frequently. They are growing rapidly, using a lot of nutritional energy, and so understandably, they wake up frequently for feedings. The result of these factors is that newborns’ sleep cycles are shorter and somewhat erratic.
Let’s first look at what to expect month by month and then what you can do to assist your newborn to get the sleep he or she needs.
[See: How to Promote Safe Sleep for Your Infant.]
The First Month
Half of the 14 to 17 hours of daily sleep newborns get at this stage occurs at night, and half of that sleep is spread out over four to five daytime naps. Throughout this first month he will wake two to three times at night for feedings but should go back to sleep relatively quickly. Even though he may seem alert, he will easily become overstimulated if he is awake more than two hours.
The Second Month
Toward the end of this month many babies will start to sleep for a slightly longer stretch at night, perhaps four to five hours at a time. Their day sleep will be spread out over three to five naps. During the night, she will likely wake at least two times for feedings. To help avoid day-night confusion, wake her after three hours of sleep during the day so she doesn’t miss a feeding, and go for a walk or open the shades. Her internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is not developed yet, so you must be her external clock. Keep nighttime feedings quiet and in dim light.
The Third Month
Many babies will start to sleep longer at night and have more predictability or what seems like a budding “schedule.” This is due to their circadian rhythm starting to develop.
Your baby may not be able to nap on the go as easily anymore and instead will need a quiet, dimly lit and familiar environment for a majority of his naps. You can still be flexible though for that third or fourth nap if, for example, he falls asleep in a stroller or car seat.
[See: 10 Things No One Tells You About Breast-feeding.]
The Fourth and Fifth Month
At 4 months, your baby can sleep approximately eight hours at night, and at 5 months, he may be able to sleep up to 10 hours. On average, he may sleep anywhere from four to five hours during the day, spread out over three naps. Your goal is to organize the timing of naps during this stage.
Also at around 4 months, many babies experience a sleep regression, which looks like increased fussiness, multiple wakings at night and poor naps. This occurs because of a growth spurt, or a maturing of sleep cycles into more distinct periods of deep and active sleep phases.
Get the Sleep You Need
It’s really important that you prioritize your own sleep during this time as well. Commit to resting each time the baby rests particularly in the first two months. If at all possible, nap when your baby naps, and try to go to bed early.
[Read: Sleep Schedules for Children 6 Months to 5 Years Old.]
Gentle Sleep Shaping Pro Tips
Here’s what you can do to help your newborn get the sleep he or she needs:
— Expose your baby to sunlight or brightly lit areas inside your home during the day. When possible, go outside for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine. The exposure to natural daylight cues your baby’s day and night rhythms, stimulating her to be awake during the day more and to sleep better at night.
— Make time for play. When your newborn is awake, make time for developmentally appropriate play. This is as simple as singing him a song, walking around the house pointing out what you see, showing him a baby toy and letting it touch his skin, and laying him on a play gym for tummy time, which helps him grow physically stronger.
— Keep nighttime quiet and dark. Make her sleep environment dark, only turning on a very dim light if needed for diaper changes and feedings. Use a soft, hushed voice and tend to her needs very quietly. In time, she will internalize the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
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Newborn Sleep: Here’s What You Can Expect originally appeared on usnews.com
