Baby Sleep: How Much Sleep Does a Newborn Need?

A newborn baby is still adjusting to live beyond the womb, and their sleeping routines could puzzle parents.

How Long Should Newborns Sleep?

Back in the womb, the infant spent lengthy periods just sleeping. They were filled with warmth and also lulled by the voice of their mother.

Moreover, because newborns do not have any sense of time, day, and night, they sleep whenever. Moreover, since their stomachs are too small, they easily get full. When they are held comfortably and close, they may fall asleep even before they get full and could end up waking up frequently just to eat.

When babies are born, they may end up sleeping throughout the majority of the day. This is normal for them, as this period of infancy is one where substantial growth takes place. Sleep enables brain development, which covers the building of networks that handle learning, thinking, and behavior formation. Sleep, coupled with adequate nutrition, is also crucial to a baby's physical development.

Infants from four to 12 months of age should sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day, with their naps factored in. It is normal for these babies to spend such lengthy amounts of time sleeping.

For babies to establish their circadian rhythms, it may take six or more months. It is also believed that babies begin consolidating their period of nighttime sleep by this age. This makes it more likely for them to sleep during the night.

There are also some things that parents can do to promote regular sleeping routines and schedules for their babies. For one, taking the baby out for walks during the day would help, as this can expose them to natural light. Moreover, a calming evening routine can also be incorporated.

Growth of a Newborn

It is expected that after the newborn experiences an initial drop in weight after birth, the newborn will end up settling into a specific feeding routine. They will regain their weight, with most babies steadily growing from this point on.

In a span of 24 hours, most babies would require around 25 breast milk ounces. This would stay the same until their sixth month, except when growth spurts happen. Parents should be able to observe a weight increase in their babies, while feeding counts within the day should reduce. The babies will get stronger through this, while their stomachs will also get bigger.

Compared to breast-fed babies, formula-fed infants have slower feeding rates. As they tend to feel full for longer periods, their feedings will be less frequent.

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