Baby Slumber and You

Infants are not yet aware of day and night. They sleep continuously, and regardless of the time of day or night, they frequently wake up to eat because their tiny stomachs can't contain enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long.

How much time will my infant sleep?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns need 14 to 17 hours of slumber per day. Some infants may snooze for up to 18 to 19 hours every day.

Every couple of hours, newborns awaken to feed. Babies who are breastfed typically eat every 2 to 3 hours. Babies who are bottle-fed typically only eat every 3 to 4 hours.

Longer-sleeping newborns should be roused for feedings. You should feed your infant every three to four hours until they begin to gain weight, which typically happens within the first few weeks. After that, you can allow your baby to sleep through the night for longer amounts of time.

The first few months of a baby's existence can be the most difficult for parents because they may have to wake up frequently at night to care for the infant. Every infant has a unique sleeping routine. By 2-3 months of age, some begin to sleep "through the night" (for 5–6 hours at a period), but some do not.

The best way for babies to sleep

Some parents decide to share a room during the first few weeks of a baby's existence. When you put your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom rather than a distinct nursery, you are said to be "room-sharing." This helps with feeding, comforting, and nighttime monitoring because it keeps the infant close by. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against sharing a bed when rooming together.

While sharing a room is secure, sleeping with your baby in your bed is not. The likelihood of SIDS and other sleep-related fatalities rises when people share a bed.

For your child's bedroom to be secure, abide by these suggestions:

Never put your infant to sleep on their stomach or side; always position them on their back. Since the AAP started advising against this in 1992, the incidence of SIDS has significantly decreased.
Utilize a flat, firm sleeping platform. Put a sheet over the mattress that is tightly fitting.
Nothing else should be placed in the cot or bassinet. Avoid letting your infant sleep near soft toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, or bumper pads.
Dress your infant for the ambient temperature and avoid overbundling to prevent burning. While your baby is sleeping, avoid covering their cranium. Keep an eye out for overheating symptoms like sweating or a warm sensation to the touch.
Keep smoking away from your child. The danger of SIDS is increased by secondhand smoke.
When it's time for bed, give your baby a pacifier but don't push it. You don't have to refill the pacifier if it comes out while you're sleeping. Wait until breastfeeding is settled before continuing if you are breastfeeding.
Other dangers to be aware of include anything with cords, ties, or ribbons that could coil around a baby's neck, as well as anything with a sharp edge or corner. Find objects that your infant can reach while sitting or standing in the crib by looking around. If they are within a baby's grasp, hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords may be dangerous.
Don't allow your infant to nap on anything that isn't made with sleeping infants in mind, like a car seat, a feeding pillow like the Boppy pillow, or an infant lounger (like the Dock-a-Tot, Podster, and Bummzie).
Use of sleep positioners (such as wedges or incliners) or monitors that can track a baby's breathing pattern are examples of products or devices that make the promise that they can reduce the risk of SIDS. This cannot truly be done by any known products.
Avoid wrapping your infant in weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles.
Ensure that all sleeping platforms and baby-sleeping aids you use have received the CPSC's (Consumer Product Safety Commission) seal of approval and adhere to all applicable safety regulations.

Getting Your Infant to Slumber

Babies have their own schedules. You and your infant will start to establish a schedule over the coming weeks to months.

Your baby's brain might need a few weeks to develop the ability to distinguish between day and night. There are no shortcuts to make this go faster, but it helps to maintain peace and silence during diaper changes and middle-of-the-night feedings. Keep the lights dim and try to avoid talking or playing with your infant. This will convey the idea that slumber should take place at night. Allowing your baby to sleep in the crib at night will help him or her learn that it is the proper spot to rest.

In an effort to help your baby slumber better at night, avoid trying to keep them awake during the day. Infants who are overtired frequently have difficulty falling asleep at night compared to those who have gotten enough slumber during the day.

It's acceptable to rock, cuddle, and croon to a fussy newborn until the baby calms down. Swaddling, or covering a crying infant with a thin blanket, can also be soothing. You can stop swaddling your infant if they attempt to roll over while they are being wrapped. "Spoiling" your infant during the first few months of existence is unquestionably not a problem. In actuality, colic and fussiness are less common in infants who are held or carried during the day.

When Should I Contact a Doctor?

The range of what is typical is quite broad, though most parents can anticipate their newborn sleeping or napping a lot during the day. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your infant's sleep.