Sleep patterns in newborns

Sleeping patterns is one of the biggest changes brought about by a new baby's arrival. Often their sleeping times do not coincide with those of the other members in the family. New parents can experience bleary eyes and sleepless nights. They also worry about what is normal and what is not and have lots of questions about newborn sleep patterns.

Many books are written about this subject. There is much discussion about where, when, how long, and how often babies should sleep. These questions become complicated because each baby is unique and has his or her own temperament and personality that affect the baby's sleep patterns. There are no clear-cut answers to these questions; however, most babies eventually develop into good sleepers with minimal difficulty at about 4 months of age.

Here are some facts:

• most babies spend at least half their time sleeping
• sleep patterns are often difficult to describe
• sleep phases and wakefulness gradually mature as the baby's nervous system gradually matures
• babies don't know the difference between day and night
• as time goes on, your baby will develop his or her own circadian rhythm (Circadian rhythm acts as an internal clock to guide wake- sleep cycles as well as metabolism and temperature.)
• eventually your baby will shift and sleep longer during the night
• by 6 months of age, your baby may sleep 8 to 10 hours at night
• some babies do not sleep through the night until 1 year of age or older
• all babies wake periodically during the night (This does not necessarily mean your baby is in distress. As infants enter into different sleep cycles, they will cry and move about until they become settled again.)

Developing good sleep habits:

Babies learn associations with sleeping. For example, if your baby is fed and always falls asleep in your arms, this may be the only way the baby is able to fall asleep. When your baby awakens during the night, he or she cannot fall back to sleep without being fed and held. Other associations may include rocking, walking, and being with you. Eventually, babies will need to learn to fall asleep on their own. If your baby can fall asleep without assistance when first laid down, chances are more likely your baby will fall asleep easily after waking in the middle of the night.

After 2 months of age, you may want to encourage your baby to fall asleep without your assistance. Here are some ideas that may help:

• consider feeding your baby ahead of bedtime (Some babies do not sleep as well on a full stomach.) establish a routine at bedtime, such as a bath and quiet time 1 hour before bedtime
• put your baby to bed awake but drowsy (This will help associate bed with the process of falling asleep.)
• distinguish nighttime from daytime (For example a soft, subdued voice during the night can let the baby know it is nighttime and not time to play
• expect some crying as your baby falls back to sleep (Crying is a comforting mechanism and it may take a few minutes for baby to find a comfortable position, settle in, and fall back to sleep.)
• make sure your baby is safe and comfortable (Avoid too many plush toys or blankets as these may inadvertently cause suffocation.)
• use a transitional object as your baby gets older (After your baby's first birthday, consider an object that will give your child a sense of security such as a blanket or stuffed toy. This should not be a bottle because sleeping with a bottle of milk, juice, or any sweetened liquid in the mouth can damage your baby's first teeth.)

Every baby is different and do not allow yourself to be rushed or pressured into having your baby sleep through the night. Getting to know your baby's schedule and communication cues takes time. Good sleep patterns are a parenting goal that parents work towards over time.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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