Being a first-time parent raises concerns about many things, and one of them is your baby’s sleeping habits. While some parents have to deal with a FOMO baby, some might worry when it seems like their little angel is always asleep. Everybody knows that babies sleep a lot, but how much is too much? You may wonder if it is normal for your baby sleep too much or if there could be an issue that needs concern.
Here in this guide, we will talk about how much babies really should sleep, some of the possible reasons babies sleep too much, and how to know when it should be put in attention. Knowing how your kid sleeps will ease your tensions and better facilitate their development.
How Long Should A Baby Sleep?
Infants sleep for long hours because they are growing and developing very fast, but this again differs from baby to baby and their age. This is normally at its peak for a newborn, averaging 14 to 17 hours of sleep within a day, most of it being done in bits of 2 to 4 hours each.
Elizabeth Cilenti (MD & pediatrician at Northern Virginia Family Practice) said:
“Interestingly, there isn’t as much expert consensus on how much sleep very young infants under 4 months need”
As babies grow, the amount of time they spend sleeping gradually decreases. By the time a baby reaches 4-12 months, they will normally get about 12-16 hours of sleep per day. Much more is spent at night, though some napping will occur during the day. Remember to make sure safe co-sleeping with your baby (in case you do not let your baby sleep in a swing)
At night, a 6-month-old baby will sleep for about 10 hours, and a 1-year-old will sleep for 10-12 hours.
Keep in mind that babies are very different, and some tend to sleep more or less, which is still perfectly normal.
Why Does A Baby Sleep Too Much?
Newborns spend most of their time sleeping simply because the body and the brain are on the expressway of development. Sleep is therefore crucial for the growth of babies. While a baby is sleeping, he is working—releasing growth hormones, making new cells, and boosting one’s immune system. The brain also processes and organizes the experienced information, which is very necessary for cognitive development.
Aside from physical growth, sleep helps the infant get to grips with life outside the womb. They are relatively new to the world, and everything is overwhelmingly new to them. Thus, sleep provides the needed time for them to try to get used to their living environment.
When Do You Need To Worry About Your Baby Sleep Too Much?
Although a lot of sleep is natural for babies, especially newborns, there are several circumstances in which too much sleep could be problematic. Pay close attention to your baby’s general behavior and any indications that anything may not be right.
- Baby sleeping much longer than is advised
- Baby is more sleepy than usual or has trouble waking up
- Infant nodding off during a meal and not finishing the recommended amount of food
- Little ones not becoming more aware as they get older
- The infant is ill and can’t important developmental milestones
- Even when awake, the baby appears abnormally lethargic
- Unhealthy weight gain
- Dehydration signs, such as darker urine, cracked lips, or crying without a tear
- Super irritated when you wake them up
- Do not want to eat after waking
- When you try to wake your infant awake, they don’t respond
If you notice anything unusual and worry, it’s always best to get professional assistance from the doctors.
Potential Causes of Baby Sleep Too Much
Some of these causes may be harmless and temporary, while others may require more attention. Here are some possible causes of unusual sleeping in babies:
Growth spurts
During growth spurts, babies often need more sleep as their bodies work hard to grow. Such periods of increased sleep are usually short-lived and are succeeded by a noticeable spurt in appetite and physical development.1
Illness or Infection
The baby usually sleeps longer because he is spending more energy fighting the virus. Common childhood illnesses like colds, ear infections, mild fevers, or even jaundice may make the baby sleep more than usual.
Vaccinations
After vaccinations, some babies sleep more and are a bit fatigued. This is usually temporary and may be gone within a day or two.
Changes in the Environment
Changes in the environment in which your baby sleeps may change the baby’s sleep pattern slightly. This can cause your baby to sleep more as adjusting.
Should You Wake Your Baby Up During the Daytime?
It’s not a good idea to let your infant sleep too much. Keep in mind that proper sleeping distribution during the night and day is the key point. Don’t let your baby sleep all day long and then stay up all night later. To wake a sleepy baby, try to make some noise, talk to them, and turn on the light.
Waking your baby may be necessary during the day, especially for very young infants who require frequent feedings every 2 to 3 hours. Thus, if your baby sleeps too long, it is okay to wake her up, particularly when she’s below 3 weeks old and building up a healthy weight gain.
It’s much easier to wake a sleeping baby when she’s in a light sleep stage — moving her arms or legs or changing facial expressions. Try to initiate a full feeding, but if your baby is not interested, let her or him drift off to sleep again.
For an older baby, it is not necessary to awaken for feedings, but it is very wise to limit daytime naps to no more than 4 hours in order not to disrupt nighttime sleep. But if your child is ill, let them sleep longer if necessary.
FAQs
Babies, especially newborns, should be fed every 2 to 3 hours. It means that if your baby sleeps longer than that, you need to wake her or him up. After 4 to 6 weeks, you can let the baby sleep all night without waking them up for feeding.
If babies keep sleeping so long, they can miss a feeding or stay awake at improper times (like midnight). In case the babies sleep so much due to illness, you need to wake them up to take medication.
You need to do it gently, do not make your baby startle. You can try to take off their cozy blanket, diaper, and a bit of clothes. Less coziness will wake a baby up. You also can stroke your kid’s back, and tickle legs and hands to keep them awake. Increasing the light gradually and speaking/ singing to your baby are also great ways to wake them.
Bottom Line
It’s natural to worry when your baby sleep too much, but it’s usually normal and even essential for growth and development. Still, always be attentive for other signs that can point to a problem: not waking up easily or at all, weak feeding, and lethargy. You mustn’t hesitate to ask your pediatrician about any of your worries regarding your baby’s sleeping.
Source
- Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts | WIC Breastfeeding Support. (n.d.). https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/cluster-feeding-and-growth-spurts#:~:text=These%20growth%20spurts%20typically%20happen,usually%20last%20a%20few%20days. ↩︎
