How much do Newborns Sleep?

Newborns hardly have the sense of sleeping at night or during the daytime. They keep sleeping until their stomachs are empty. Their stomachs are too small to hold breast milk, so they often feel hungry. Whether it is midnight or daytime, hunger pangs regulate their sleep. As per National Sleep Foundation, a newborn needs to sleep for at least 14-17 hours; even some may sleep too much for 18-19 hours. The sleep schedule for babies is connected with their hunger. If your baby is breastfed, you will have to feed them every two to three hours. The bottle-fed ones need to be fed every three to four hours.

How often should you feed your baby during sleep?

It is true that sleep is important for newborn babies. If your baby is sleeping for longer hours, it is better to wake it up and feed it within 3-4 hours. This will help in weight gain and overall growth. Once a few weeks are passed, your baby can rest for longer hours at night. The newborn sleep pattern varies from one kid to another. Each baby has its sleep pattern. Some keep sleeping for almost six hours a day, but some don't. They have no specific timing for sleeping.

What should be a sleep environment for a newborn?

It matters a lot when looking for a perfect sleep environment for a newborn. A baby sleep schedule is not too easy to deal with. It takes time and effort for both parents and their babies to get into a sleep routine. However, before that, it is natural to have unlimited sleepless nights. Therefore, you have to maintain a few things to ensure that the sleep schedule of babies is not affected in any way. Some of the basic factors you should follow when you have a newborn at home are as follows:
•    Keep your baby sleeping on the back rather than the side or stomach. It helps in creating a better sleeping position for the baby.
•    Choose a sleep surface that supports the back of the baby. Pick a snuggly sheet to cover the mattress. The entire setup must be kid-friendly.
•    When you are making the bed for your baby, you should keep those things away which may hurt your baby.
•    There's no need to keep your baby overdressed. This may cause sweating and affect its sleep.
•    Choose a pacifier to helps your kid fall asleep faster. If you find your baby rejecting the same, it is better not to force.

Sleep Schedule for newborns

Newborns keep sleeping. They follow their sleep schedule. Over the next couple of weeks to months, you and your baby will settle into a routine. It generally takes some time for babies to understand the difference between day and night. However, there is no other way to keep these things quiet; try to put the lights down when changing diapers. Gradually, they will understand that the crib is the spot to fall asleep. As a result, your baby will get to enjoy a sound sleep. Kids tend to fall asleep during the daytime, and parents try to keep them awake. It is so because if the baby keeps sleeping during the daytime, the baby will be awake the entire night. However, sleep is essential, and for an overly tired baby, a lack of healthy sleep habits may cause insomnia.

How should babies sleep?

During the first weeks of a newborn's life, room-share is familiar factor parents choose. Baby sleep schedule is deeply connected with this concept of room sharing. Keeping the crib, bassinet, and other necessary items for a child in your room makes it easier to monitor. If the newborn requires cuddling, sing and swaddle your baby to soothe it.

Quiet Alert phase
This is an essential phase of the newborn's sleep pattern. If your baby gets up at the end of a sleep cycle, it is a quiet yet active alert phase. In this phase, your baby is awake but still. They keep staring at objects and responding to sound and motion.

Crying phase
After the quiet alert phase, there is a crying phase. The baby's body keeps moving peculiarly, and the baby cries. This is the phase when you can calm a baby, and swaddling him becomes easier. Generally, it is better to feed your baby before the crying phase. Crying becomes a late sign of hunger for newborns. It is one of the most critical phases of the sleep schedule for babies.

Why one should be cautious while swaddling?

Having a good amount of sleep is important for a baby just as much as it is required for an overgrown person. Swaddling refers to wrapping newborn babies comfortably in a blanket. It makes a baby feel safe and helps them fall asleep faster. Choosing a swaddling blanket makes the process easier. But for a baby of 2 months or more than that, swaddling can be a problem as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If the baby rolls onto its stomach after swaddling, it is dangerous.

What are the Benefits of Sleep Your Baby can have?

If you ask about the benefits of sleep for kids, they are immense. You might be lucky to have a baby who knows how to put himself to sleep. However, not everyone is so blessed. Sleep is important for both newborns and toddlers in their overall growth. When you maintain a proper sleep schedule for babies, your baby grows healthier. For example, playing soft music while your baby sleeps helps him fall asleep faster. However, it is harmful to sleep too much both for kids and adults. Sleeping for the required hours can be helpful in the muscle growth of a baby. Better skin, a sharper memory, and improved digestion are the best add-ons to the benefits of sleep your baby can enjoy.

Note: The article is meant for general awareness of the readers. In case you find something unusual about your baby's sleep, kindly consult a doctor as soon as possible.

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