Newborns and infants lack the sense of day and night. They sleep 24 hours and because their small stomach does not contain sufficient milk to satisfy them for a longer period of time, they wake up frequently to eat regardless of time.
How long can my newborn stay asleep?
Newborns need to get 14 to 17 hours of sleep a day. A few newborns may sleep as much as 18 to 19 hours a day. Infants who sleep for longer period need to be awake to feed. In the first few weeks, you should awake your baby to feed every 3 to 4 hours until he or she gains good weight. After that, it is fine to allow your baby to sleep for longer hours at night. The first 4 to 5 weeks of a newborn’s life can be exhausting for parents, because, they need to get up many times at night for their baby. All babies have their own sleep routine. Some infants sleep through the night for 2, 3 months, but some do not.
How do babies fall asleep?
Some parents chose to put their baby’s crib or bassinet in their own bedroom instead of a separate room. This helps to keep the baby close by the mother to feed at night, give comfort, change the diapers and monitor him/her. Although room-sharing is safe, but, bed-sharing is risky. This increases the chance of sudden infant’s death or other sleep related deaths. Follow these tips for a safe sleep environment for your little ones,
• Do not put your baby on their side or stomach to sleep. Always place them on their back.
• Cover the mattress with a snug bedsheet, make certain that bassinet, crib or play yard must meet the safety requirements.
• Keep the crib/bassinet empty. Don’t put any toys, comforter, pillow, blanket, etc. in your infant’s sleeping area.
• Dress your baby according to the room temperature and do not over pack him/her. Be aware of signs of overheating, like sweating or feeling warm to the touch.
Supporting your newborn sleep
Newborns comply with their own schedule. Over the coming weeks or months, you and your baby will start settling into a routine. Your infant will take some weeks to realize the difference between day and night in their brain. Sadly, there are not any tricks to speed this up. However, it facilitates to hold things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changing. Keep the lights low at night and avoid talking or playing with your baby. This technique will send messages to your baby’s brain that nighttimes are only for sleeping. Let your baby sleep in the cradle at night so that your baby knows it is the place to sleep. Don’t try to keep your baby awake at daytime, hoping to get good sleep at night. Children who are too tired have more difficulty sleeping at night than those who have had sufficient sleep during the day.
When do I consult the doctor?
Meanwhile, many parents may expect that their infant to sleep or take naps during the day, the spectrum of what is normal is fairly broad. Consult your doctor about any questions you may have about your baby’s sleep.
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