Babies sleep long hours to grow and develop. It’s pretty normal for them. They may need sleep of up to 18 hours a day. You don’t have to worry about anything.
The sleep needs of babies change with time. As they start growing, their sleeping hours start reducing. That’s also normal. Moreover, some babies sleep longer than others. So how would you know what’s normal and what’s not?
In this post, we’ll tell you about infants sleeping needs. We’ll also advise what to do when the baby isn’t getting proper sleeping hours or isn’t waking happy and fresh.
Why do Babies Sleep for Long Hours?
There are several reasons why babies sleep long hours, including:
- Sleep helps them grow
- Sleep helps them stay fresh and joyful
- Sleeping long hours is normal for them. That’s the prime thing they know when they were in their mother’s womb.
The Changes You’ll Notice in Baby’s Sleeping Routine
The first year is critical to a baby’s growth and development. As they continue growing, you’ll notice changes in their sleeping routine:
- They will sleep for a few hours.
- They will sleep more at night and less during the day as they adapt to the outside world.
- Babies will enjoy their uptime, increasing the gap between their naps.
The Sleep Pattern Babies will Adapt with Time
With time, babies will embrace different sleeping habits. We’ve distributed the pattern according to their age:
Sleep time for a 1-month old baby
The baby just came out. S/he is stressed and isn’t used to all the clock we follow. Your baby will sleep for long hours. Let them. Don’t wake them up. Otherwise, they’ll not feel happy about that and will start crying.
Babies might sleep for as long as 18 hours during the first month. Their uptime could be 30 – 90 minutes.
Nothing to worry about. Babies will gradually get used to the world’s clock.
Sleeping habits when the baby is between 2-3 months old
Not much of a difference from their first month’s routine. They’ll continue sleeping on and off during the day. They still have a sleep time of between 14 and 18 hours.
Your baby might sleep for 50 to 60 minutes in one cycle, which is quite usual.
Babies have a mix of sleep types: active and quiet. During active sleep hours, babies may move around. Waking up during this time will make them grizzly. They want to sleep more. Let them. In comparison, quiet sleep time is when babies sleep peacefully. They will wake up fresh and might stay up for more time.
Sleep time between ages 3 and 6 months
Their sleep time will reduce between the ages of 3 and 6 months. Now, they might sleep for up to 15 hours. Their up time will increase. They’ll also usually sleep more at night and less during the day.
That said, be prepared to see them up once or twice during the night. They still need to be fed and changed diapers. Perhaps their sleep need is fulfilled, and it’s time to play and enjoy the alone time, disturbing for a little while.
Sleeping routine for babies between 6 and 12 months
Babies grow fast. Their sleep routine will change a lot between 6 and 12 months. If your baby is between this age, you may notice a few changes, such as:
- They learn to stay up, enjoy your company, and even enjoy their alone time when you’re sleeping or not around. They will also stay up when there’s too much noise or light.
- It’s the time when your baby may start crawling and doing new exciting things. These new things will make them stay up and do what they love.
- Your baby knows you and would like to stay around you. Babies might wake up when you leave or start crying for you. Don’t worry if your baby can’t let you go even for a moment. They’ll soon understand that sometimes it’s okay for your to leave.
- Your baby will also learn that the best time to get food is during daylight. You may also notice a change in their waste releasing routine. You may not have to change their diaper as frequently as you did.
Monitor Your Baby’s Sleep Routine
Have you been noticing how long your child is sleeping? It’s always good to know your baby’s sleeping routine. It will give you an idea about:
- How many hours your baby sleeps?
- What’s their sleeping schedule?
- How many hours does the baby stay up?
- How the baby reacts when up?
You may also add to this calendar the baby’s feeding habits.
Monitoring the baby’s sleep schedule will allow you to compare the change in routines and habits with time.
Consult a Pediatrician
You may take this schedule to your baby’s pediatrician and discuss a possible solution if the baby isn’t getting a good sleep during the whole day.
For more information, contact your pediatrician and help your babies get the best health they deserve.
