Whether you have a newborn, a toddler, or a child in between, there comes a period in most parents’ life when they wonder if their kid sleeps too much.
Most babies spend more time sleeping than awake; however, sleep may come in brief bursts or on an inconsistent schedule. In addition, as your newborn adjusts to life outside the womb, he or she may have difficulty adapting to a regular schedule.
You may be wondering if they are sleeping too much or too little. Here’s an overview of your newborn’s sleep patterns to help you understand your baby’s sleep.
What is the average length of sleep for a baby?
The average newborn sleeps 8 to 9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night. Most of them also wake up at least every three hours to eat.
This timeline, however, varies greatly, and some babies may only sleep for 11 hours per day, while others may sleep for up to 19 hours per day. In addition, when newborns are unwell or have an interruption in their daily patterns, they may sleep more or less than normal.
Most babies sleep in short spurts of 30–45 minutes to 3–4 hours. It is normal for a baby to wake up to feed and then go back asleep in the first few weeks.
By 3 to 6 months, most of the babies can rest for 6 hours. As your baby reaches the age of 6 to 9 months, they start getting into a routine, but developmental stages can perplex things again for the baby’s sleep. For example, when your infant starts to connect sleep time with being alone, she may begin crying to keep you around. This issue can be solved by sleeping in shifts with your partner or support person.
Is it possible for a baby to sleep too much?
Yes, whether she’s a newborn or an older child, a baby can sleep excessively. However, a newborn who sleeps all day is more of a risk than an older infant who sleeps too much, usually when she is unwell or has had a very active day.
Keep a tight watch on the clock for the first two to three weeks and wake your baby when it’s time to eat. Breastfed babies should not go more than two to four hours without feeding, and formula-fed babies should not go more than three to four hours without eating.
What should you do if your baby sleeps excessively?
If you have an extremely sleepy infant, you must first rule out any medical conditions that are causing them to sleep all the time.
Jaundice, illnesses, and medical procedures like circumcision can all cause your infant to sleep more than normal.
Your pediatrician will examine your kid to see if he or she is gaining adequate weight. If not, depending on your doctor’s instructions, you may need to wake them up every three hours (or more) to eat.
The main point
After a few weeks, if your baby is consistently gaining weight but still sleeping a lot, try to relax.
Simply put: Some babies are just bigger sleepy heads than others.
Accept the possibility that you are dealing with an excellent sleeper. Try to take advantage of it while you can. Of course, it would be best if you also caught up on your sleep.
