Is It Normal For Babies To Sleep A Lot?

In this article, we will discuss whether or not it is normal for babies to sleep a lot.

Nature is perfect, and it shows in an obvious way in newborns. During their first months of life, babies instinctively follow the body’s own needs. 

So the reason why babies sleep a lot, has a lot to do with their growth and development.

Newborn babies sleep between 16 and 18 hours every day at intervals of 2-3 hours. They often wake up hungry or need a diaper change.

Then they continue to sleep. As they get bigger, the waking intervals increase.

Although different children’s sleep rhythms look a little different, it is important to introduce a routine from an early age.

Some babies may sleep more because their stomachs retain more milk. It is also the case that children who weigh less need to eat more often.

Is it normal for babies to sleep a lot?

Yes, it is normal, and it is highly recommended. Sleeping a lot is beneficial for the child, physically and cognitively. The number of hours of sleep is directly related to the child’s development.

If babies sleep a lot, their nerve cells, internal organs and immune system will be strengthened.

Other benefits that babies get from sleeping:

• Better nutrient uptake. Sleeping a lot makes children gain weight faster. Getting to sleep safely also helps stimulate children’s appetite.
• Better knowledge development. When children sleep, they process in their minds what they have learned during the day: colors, people, materials, faces, etc. This learning process stimulates them to continue to acquire knowledge and explore more of their environment.
• Sleeping longer is like getting longer. The baby’s growth is related to the hours of sleep because certain hormones are activated during sleep. Therefore, it is important to respect babies’ sleep – especially during the periods when they develop the most.

Children’s sleep cycle

Just like adults, children have sleep cycles that vary when it comes to how deep they are. Babies usually have a REM sleep cycle during the first months of life. During this type of sleep, the eyes move during sleep.

REM sleep is associated with brain activity, which indicates that the child is dreaming vividly.

There are also indications that memory improves during this cycle, although this has not yet been proven in studies.

As children get a little bigger, they will go from this type of sleep to longer and deeper cycles. After three years, sleep normalizes, especially at night. During their growth period, children can sleep more than 10 hours straight.

How to facilitate your baby’s sleep

The best thing you can do in the early stages to facilitate your baby’s sleep is to create a cozy and comfortable environment.

To do this, keep the baby clean and fresh, and try not to interrupt its sleep to feed it. It will wake up by itself when it gets hungry.

After a few weeks , it is important to get used to newborn babies day and night. Then they can learn to distinguish between them and internalize the different habits for each period.

During the day, the baby should be activated, and the home should be bright. At night it is good if the environment is dark and quiet.

When the children get older, it is good if you can include them in a sleeping routine. Then they will develop a healthy and natural habit of going to bed. 

This routine consists of eating, swimming and going to bed at the same time every day.

What to do if they sleep too little?

Not all babies have the same sleep rhythm. Some do not sleep as much as others, or as often. If you have concerns about your newborn’s sleep cycle or pattern, it may be helpful to consult a specialist.

There are some signs that may indicate that the baby is not sleeping as much. The most obvious symptom is that the baby is sleepy for most of the day.

It can also get pale skin, or lose noticeable weight. 

All of these symptoms will be taken into consideration by your pediatrician when assessing whether there is a pathological problem.

The doctor will announce what changes are needed, or what treatment to follow.