To new parents, a sleeping baby might seem like a miracle, but sometimes you wonder does the baby sleep too much? Knowing how your newborn sleeps is vital for their health and all-around development. This guidebook will walk you through your baby's sleep patterns and inform you when excess sleep might be a problem.
Why Do Babies Sleep So Much?
Newborns spend up to 16-18 hours sleeping each day, which might seem excessive to new parents. This extensive sleep is actually essential for several reasons:
- Brain Development: During sleep, your baby's brain forms new neural connections crucial for cognitive development.
- Physical Growth: Growth hormone is primarily released during sleep, making those long naps vital for your baby's physical development.
- Energy Conservation: Newborns expend significant energy simply existing in their new world; sleep helps them recharge.
- Sensory Processing: Sleep gives babies time to process the overwhelming amount of sensory information they encounter while awake.
As an Early Life REM Sleep Review demonstrates: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep is a newborn's primary activity and their brains are actively developing at an extraordinary rate, forming an abundance of neural connections daily, and much of this occurs during the REM sleep.
How Much Sleep Do Newborns Need?
Average sleep requirements vary with age:
- Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours within a 24-hour day
- 3-6 months: 12-15 hours within a 24-hour day
- 6-12 months: 11-14 hours within a 24-hour day
Note that newborn sleeping typically occurs in 2-4 hour cycles through the day and night, and this consolidates into bigger blocks as they develop.
Creating the ideal sleeping environment can help build good sleeping habits. The Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine offers 34 high-fidelity sounds, white noise, and gentle lullabies that closely mimic the womb environment. Its adjustable LED lamp with 7 soothing colors creates the optimal sleeping environment, and the app remote control allows you to adjust settings without disturbing your baby.
Can a Newborn Sleep Too Much?
While rare, it is possible for babies to sleep excessively, which may indicate underlying issues. Here are signs to watch for:
Signs Baby Is Sleeping Too Much
1. Missing Feedings: If your baby regularly sleeps through feeding times and isn't gaining weight properly.
2. Lethargy: Difficulty waking your baby or unusual grogginess after waking.
3. Fewer Wet Diapers: Fewer than 5-6 wet diapers in 24 hours could indicate dehydration.
4. Poor Weight Gain: Your pediatrician notes insufficient weight gain at check-ups.
5. Limited Alert Periods: Very brief periods of alertness or engagement when awake.
If your baby displays several of these signs, consult your pediatrician.
What Are the Causes of Baby Sleeping More Than Usual?
Several things can cause excess sleep:
1. Growth Spurts
Babies will sleep more during growth spurts (which usually happen at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months) to allow for rapid growth.
2. Illness or Infection
Infections, even mild ones, can cause excess sleepiness as the body recruits energy to fight illness.
3. Jaundice
A normal condition in newborns and can cause excess sleepiness and poor feeding.
4. Recovery from Birth
The birth process is exhausting for babies; some will need extra sleep to recover, especially after difficult deliveries.
5. Environmental Factors
Overheating or being too cold can affect sleep patterns. Dressing your baby appropriately is crucial for comfortable sleep.
The Momcozy Baby Pajamas feature a unique BB-Temp label that monitors surface temperature changes, helping parents adjust clothing or room temperature for optimal comfort. Made from natural cotton and bamboo-derived viscose, these ultra-soft pajamas regulate heat and absorb moisture, keeping babies comfortable during sleep. The stretchy design accommodates growing babies, while the convenient double zipper makes diaper changes easy even during nighttime feedings.
Should I Wake My Baby During the Day If They Are Sleeping Too Much?
Generally, it's best to let babies sleep according to their needs, but there are exceptions:
When to Wake Baby Up for Feedings
● Newborns under 2 weeks: Wake every 2-3 hours during the day and at least every 4 hours at night for feeding.
● 2 weeks to 2 months: Wake for feedings if they sleep more than 4 hours during the day or 5 hours at night (if weight gain is a concern).
● Over 2 months with healthy weight gain: You can typically let them sleep according to hunger cues.
Always follow your pediatrician's specific guidance, especially for premature babies or those with feeding issues.
How to Wake Baby for Feedings
1. Gradually increase stimulation: Start with gentle methods like unwrapping or changing their diaper.
2. Skin-to-skin contact: Hold your baby against your bare chest.
3. Talk to your baby: Use a gentle, animated voice.
4. Try a tepid washcloth: Gently wipe their face or hands.
5. Feed in a well-lit area: Natural light helps signal daytime.
The Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine can help establish day-night routines with its sleep-wake routine support feature, which can be programmed to play different sounds for waking versus sleeping times.
When to Seek Professional Help for a Sleepy Baby
Contact your pediatrician if:
- Your baby is difficult to wake for feedings
- They seem excessively lethargic when awake
- You notice significant changes in sleep patterns
- There are fewer wet diapers than normal
- Your baby is not gaining weight appropriately
- They display symptoms of illness (fever, unusual crying, etc.)
- You observe yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
Trust your parental instincts. If something feels wrong, it's better to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional.
FAQs About Baby Sleeping Too Much
Why Is a Baby's Sleep Fragmented?
Newborns haven't developed circadian rhythms (internal body clocks) yet. Their small stomachs require frequent feeding, and they spend more time in active sleep (REM) than adults. This fragmentation is developmentally appropriate and gradually improves over the first year.
A smart baby sound machine can help establish sleep routines with its programmable features. Using the app remote control, parents can set consistent sounds and lighting that signal sleep time, helping babies develop healthier sleep patterns over time.
Should You Let a Newborn Sleep as Much as They Want?
Generally yes, with two important exceptions:
- If they're not gaining weight appropriately
- If they're sleeping through feeding times too frequently
Most healthy babies will wake when hungry, but always prioritize regular feeding during the first few weeks.
Is My Newborn Lethargic or Just Sleepy?
A sleepy baby can be roused with stimulation and will show periods of alertness when awake. A lethargic baby is difficult to wake, doesn't respond normally to stimulation, and appears excessively floppy or weak when awake. Lethargy requires immediate medical attention.
What If a Newborn Won't Wake Up to Feed?
If your newborn is difficult to rouse for feeding:
1. Try the waking techniques mentioned earlier
2. Keep track of wet diapers to monitor hydration
3. Contact your pediatrician if this happens consistently
4. Consider stripping your baby down to a diaper during feeding to keep them alert
Can My Newborn Be Awake Too Much?
Yes! Overtiredness is a typical state in babies and may lead to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Watch for signs of overtiredness: crankiness, rubbing eyes, turning away, and slowing. Newborns tend to need to sleep after only 45-60 minutes of wakefulness.
Establishing a soothing bedtime routine with the right tool like a smart sound machine will also help to avoid overtiredness. The adjustable settings enable parents to create the perfect sleeping environment with appropriate sounds and light, which will help overtired babies settle better.
Conclusion
While too much sleep in babies sometimes indicates an issue, in most instances, your newborn's extended sleep is normal and developmentally required. By knowing what normal sleep patterns are, watching for warning signs, and consulting medical professionals when needed, you can assist your baby's sleep patterns to enhance their health and development.
Remember that each baby is unique, and sleep habits may vary significantly even in healthy babies. The most reliable indicators of good health are good weight gain, adequate hydration, and active alert times awake.
Creating a comfortable sleeping environment with devices like the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine and dressing the baby in cozy, warm temperature-friendly clothing like Momcozy Baby Pajamas can help create good sleep habits for parents and baby alike.
Trust your parent instincts, maintain open lines with your pediatrician, and enjoy those peaceful moments while your little darling sleeps and grows.
