What parent hasn’t caught themselves watching their child sleep, sitting there for hours admiring their most precious treasure? It’s delightful to see them sleeping, peaceful, dreaming, and often even smiling in their sleep. But sometimes sleep can become a concern if it seems excessive, and the inevitable question arises: Is it normal for babies to sleep a lot? How much sleep is normal and what isn’t?
There’s no strict rule for baby sleep, after all, each baby reacts differently and has their own unique body. Some are heavier sleepers, while others—much to their parents’ dismay—have a harder time falling asleep. When they’re younger, during the first few months, the hours of sleep are inevitably longer, gradually decreasing as the baby grows, and by the end of the first year, they will sleep about half as much as they did in their first days of life1.
Sleep Duration Over the First 12 Months
In the first days after birth, babies usually sleep an average of 16 to 20 hours a day, obviously with breaks for feeding, diaper changes, and proper hygiene. By the end of the first month of life, this period drops to 16 to 18 hours per day, and by the second month, 15 to 16 hours per day.
Upon reaching the 4th month of life, babies stay awake for longer periods, sleeping on average 9 to 12 hours at night with 2 naps during the day, each lasting 2 to 3 hours. By 6 months, babies sleep about 11 hours at night and keep their daytime naps at 2 to 3 hours long.
At 9 months, nighttime sleep is still steady at about 11 hours, but their naps start to reduce, lasting around only 1 to 2 hours. By the time they reach their first birthday, babies may sleep 10 to 11 hours at night, with shorter naps of 1.5 to 2 hours on average.
Each baby has their own rhythm, but parents’ help is needed to establish a healthy routine2. Setting a consistent bedtime, as well as establishing a routine for bath time, quiet time, and a suitable sleeping environment, is essential so that babies can relax and fall asleep calmly as expected. It’s worth noting that sleep is essential for babies’ and children’s growth and development!
What Disturbs a Baby’s Sleep?
Certain habits and poor routines can disrupt a baby’s sleep, affecting both the quality and quantity of their rest. For example, late afternoon naps can interfere with nighttime sleep, which should be longer and deeper. A hectic household at bedtime can also disturb the baby’s sleep, especially if they are used to sleeping in a quiet and peaceful environment.
Loud radio or TV, or barking dogs, can actually be helpful from pregnancy onward. If you teach your baby to sleep even amidst the “chaos,” you’ll have fewer problems with outside noises disrupting your newborn’s naps.
One major “villain” of a peaceful night’s sleep—for both babies and parents—are the dreaded colic attacks3. These usually strike in the first few months and cause uncontrollable, desperate crying for parents, especially first-timers. At first, you don’t know what’s happening, what’s bothering your baby, or where the pain is coming from, and nothing seems to calm or stop the crying. You’ll notice their little legs curling up, a sequence of toots, and intense, tearful crying—their tummy is really hurting, and this can go on all night until you find a way to relieve it and help them fall asleep. Colic occurs because the baby’s digestive system is still immature, and these episodes are most frequent around the 6th week of life, usually disappearing by the third month.
We should also remember feeding, which interrupts sleep so babies can fill their tummies. Some babies automatically wake up when they feel hungry, usually every 3 hours for breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies may go a bit longer, up to 4 hours between feeds. But one thing is certain: When they’re hungry, they’ll cry to let you know!
Another factor that can disrupt long stretches of baby sleep (about 6 consecutive hours) is the weather. If it’s too warm, sleep can be uncomfortable. The ideal is not to overdress your baby for sleep during hot days, and not to rely solely on a blanket when it’s very cold.
Some temporary illnesses, like colds or a stuffy nose, can also affect sleep quality and cause your baby to wake up more often—besides the usual feedings. Keep in mind that a full night’s sleep will only be possible when your baby’s body is adapted and ready for it.
If well fed, a baby can sleep up to 8 hours straight with no issue, though this usually happens after 2 or 3 months of life. Until then, take it one day at a time—restless nights included.
