According to experts, new born babies typically sleep for about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night. This means they can sleep for a total of 14 to 17 hours. However, this sleep does not occur all at once.
New Born Baby Sleep
You've likely noticed that new borns spend most of their time sleeping and nursing. Therefore, it's difficult for new parents to understand how much sleep their baby should have that's considered normal. The key thing is that babies don't have a set sleep schedule in the first few months after birth. They often sleep longer during the day and stay awake at night.
Experts say this is a completely normal process, as it takes time for a newborn baby to understand the difference between day and night. So, let's explain how many hours of sleep a new born needs and what experts say about it.
How much sleep do newborns get during the day and night?
According to experts, newborns typically sleep for about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night, totaling 14 to 17 hours of sleep. However, this sleep isn't all at once, but rather divided into small chunks. During the first two months, babies sleep for 30 minutes to 3 hours, then wake up for a feed. Babies' stomachs are small during this time, so they need to feed every two to three hours. This is why their sleep is frequently interrupted. Most babies don't sleep for 6 to 8 hours continuously before the age of 3 months. Many children develop this habit after six months.
Why do babies sleep so much?
Doctors explain that newborns are growing rapidly. Their brain and body develop at a rapid pace. This development requires adequate sleep. The body performs vital functions related to growth and development during sleep. However, if a parent notices that their child is sleeping too much or unusually, it's important to consult a specialist. Sometimes, fever, infection, or other problems can also cause excessive sleep.
The different stages of a newborn's sleep
are divided into different stages, just like adults. It consists of two main stages: REM and non-REM sleep. During the REM stage, babies are in a light sleep, with rapid eye movements and occasional slight movements of the body. Newborns spend the majority of their total sleep in this state. Non-REM sleep involves deep sleep, in which the baby remains calm and the body remains almost still. At times, children go from deep sleep to light sleep and may even wake up for a short while.
