Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day because their brains and bodies are growing rapidly.
Sleep needs
Newborns (0 to 3 months) sleep 14 to 17 hours a day (National Sleep Foundation), in 2 to 4 hour blocks, with no day-night rhythm.
Why
- Rapid brain growth and development.
- Growth hormone is released during sleep.
- Their circadian rhythm isn’t developed until 2 to 4 months.
- Feeding every 2 to 3 hours.
Sleep safety
The AAP recommends placing babies on their backs, on a firm flat surface, with no blankets or toys, in the parents’ room for at least 6 months.
When to call the doctor
If a newborn is hard to wake for feeds, has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day or feels limp.
Over time
Total sleep decreases to 12 to 15 hours by 4 to 11 months.
Sleep needs
Newborns sleep about 14 to 17 hours in each 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation, with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggesting 12 to 16 hours for infants 4 to 12 months. Newborn sleep is in short stretches of 2 to 4 hours, spread through day and night, because the baby wakes to feed. Newborns do not have a circadian rhythm until about 2 to 3 months.
Why
- Rapid growth: a newborn doubles birth weight by about 5 months, and growth hormone is released during deep sleep.
- Brain development: infants spend about 50% of sleep in active (REM) sleep, compared with 20% to 25% in adults. REM is linked to brain development and forming connections.
- Their tiny stomachs hold small volumes, so they wake to eat every 2 to 3 hours.
- Immature body clock, since babies need time to produce melatonin and respond to day-night cues.
- Everything is new, and the brain works hard processing it, which tires them.
Sleep safety
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which causes about 1,300 deaths a year in the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises:
- Place babies on their backs to sleep, for every sleep.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface, like a crib or bassinet with a fitted sheet.
- Keep the crib bare: no pillows, bumpers, blankets, or toys.
- Share a room, but not a bed, with the baby for at least the first 6 months.
- Avoid overheating and smoke exposure.
- Offer a pacifier at sleep time if it is not breastfeeding yet.
When to call the doctor
Call if the baby is too sleepy to wake for feeds (feed at least every 3 hours in the first weeks, or as directed), is feeding poorly, has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day after day 5, has a fever of 100.4 F or higher, breathes fast or with effort, has a blue color, or is floppy or hard to rouse.
Over time
By 3 months, many babies sleep longer at night, with 5 to 6 hour stretches by 4 to 6 months. By 6 months, many sleep through the night for 6 to 8 hours. Total sleep falls to about 12 to 15 hours at 4 to 12 months. Establish routines, a bedtime ritual and daylight exposure to help the body clock.
Sleep research on infants
Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, according to the National Sleep Foundation, in stretches of 2 to 4 hours, with no day and night rhythm until 3 to 4 months of age. About half of newborn sleep is active (REM) sleep, which supports brain development. Babies wake to feed every 2 to 3 hours because their stomachs are small, about the size of a cherry at birth. Place babies on their backs on a firm flat surface with no pillows, blankets or bumpers to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, which causes about 3,400 US infant deaths a year. Room sharing without bed sharing for the first 6 months is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Call the doctor if the baby is hard to wake for feeds, has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day after day 5, has a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or breathes with effort.
Based on data from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Sleep Foundation
