How Much Sleep Does an Infant Need? Everything Parents Should Know

Babies sleep a lot. However, most parents wonder at some point if their little one is getting enough sleep overall. Infant sleep can present a lot of problems as well, especially as parents deal with sleep regressions, growth spurts, hunger strikes, teething, and more. Read on to learn all about infant sleep and how to get your little one on a healthy sleep schedule.

Understanding Infant Sleep Patterns: The Basics.

Infants have unique sleep patterns that differ from adults. The main difference is that they have shorter sleep cycles and have more time spent in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Babies spend around 50% of their sleep time in REM sleep, which is essential for their brain development.

Infant sleep patterns change rapidly during the first year, with most babies developing a more regular sleep schedule by 6-12 months. Newborns sleep for many hours a day, but as they grow, this quickly changes. You might start to notice patterns in your baby's sleep cycles by the time they are 3 or 4 months of age.

What Are Normal Sleep Patterns for Infants and Children?

Birth to 3 Months

• Newborns sleep for 14-18 hours a day, with most waking up to feed every 2-3 hours.

• Breastfed newborns wake up to nurse about every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies wake up less frequently (about every 3-4 hours).

• Babies sleep in bits and pieces, waking throughout the day and night to feed.

• Newborn babies sleep a lot, and during this stage, it is most important to help your baby differentiate daytime sleep from nighttime sleep.

Infants 4-12 Months

• Infants between 4 and 12 months of age should get 12-16 hours of sleep per day overall.

• While some babies might start sleeping through the night as early as 5 or 6 months old, infants still get a significant portion of their total sleep from naps during the day, and many don't sleep through the night until toddlerhood.

• Your little one will transition from three naps, to two naps, to possibly even one nap by the time they turn one year old.

• It doesn't matter how many or how long each nap is - focus on the total sleep per 24 hour period.

Toddlers 12-24 Months

• Toddlers between 1 and 2 years old should sleep for 11-14 hours per 24 hour period.

• Toddlers might nap for a few hours a day, or drop the nap completely.

• Two naps a day is normal when your child is around one year old, but older toddlers may switch to just one afternoon nap as they approach their second birthday.

Preschool

• Preschool-aged kids who are 3 to 5 years old should get around 10 to 13 total hours of sleep per 24 hour time period.

• Their naps may get shorter.

• Your preschooler may stop napping on a regular basis.

Naps are an important part of child health.

Although it can be frustrating to have to plan your entire schedule around your infant's nap times, daytime sleep is essential for your baby's growth. Don't overlook the importance of naps for overall child health.

It is super common for newborn babies to get most of their hours of sleep in during the daytime, but as they grow and mature, their naps will shorten and the number of naps will decrease. Newborn naps can last two to four hours, while older infants will take shorter naps that might last one to two hours.

Daytime naps are not only typical for babies, but they are also incredibly important for their growth and development. Research has proven that frequent naps are related to memory formation and brain function. As much as possible, help your baby take solid naps during the day!

Factors Affecting Baby Sleep

Your feeding method (breastfed or formula-fed) can affect baby sleep patterns. Breastfed babies tend to eat more frequently (and wake more frequently) than formula-fed infants.

Environmental factors, such as light and noise, can impact baby sleep. You might find that your baby wakes more when it stays light later in the evening or the sun rises early in the morning. Investing in quality blackout curtains can help.

Medical conditions, such as reflux, allergies, or illness, can disrupt baby sleep. Your baby's sleep patterns can change when they aren't feeling well.

Premature babies can also sleep for longer periods of time than full term babies. It is fairly common for a premature baby to spend the majority of their time sleeping. As the baby grows, they will establish a more consistent sleep routine.

Do not give your infant any kind of sleep medicine unless instructed by a doctor.

Establishing a Good Bedtime Routine

A lot of sleep problems can be solved simply by coming up with a solid bedtime routine. Babies thrive on predictability, and a good bedtime routine can help them achieve the optimal amount of sleep per night. Help your baby learn what to expect with a relaxing bedtime ritual.

• Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help babies both fall asleep and stay asleep.

• A bedtime routine can include activities like bath time, reading, infant massage, and singing.

• Aspects of the routine can also be used to help get your baby back to sleep if they wake up during the night.

• A dark, quiet sleep environment can promote healthy sleep habits for your baby.

Helping Babies Fall Asleep

Here are some tips many parents swear by when it comes to a good bedtime routine for their baby:

• Using a white noise machine, swaddling, and a rocking motion can help babies fall asleep.

• A consistent sleep schedule can help regulate baby sleep patterns.

• Avoiding overstimulation before bedtime can promote better sleep. This includes dimming bright lights, creating a quiet space for safe sleep, and engaging in calming activities, such as a warm bath or gentle massage, before bedtime.

A safe sleep space for infants means no "extras" in the crib: no loose blankets, crib bumpers, pillows, stuffed animals, or toys. The crib should be away from any cables, cords, light switches, outlets, or electronics. Your baby should sleep in a crib designed for infants, with a proper fitting mattress. Parents should monitor the room's temperature to ensure that it doesn't get too hot or too cold.

A white noise machine is something many parents swear by, but it can also become a hassle if your baby becomes dependent on it to fall asleep. Although they make portable sound machines, it can be frustrating if you forget the sound machine at home, are traveling, or the machine stops working.

It can be fun to buy toys that light up and play music, but this can also be overstimulating to an infant at bedtime. As much as possible, try to minimize noisy, bright toys and activities before bed. Dim the lights, read a few bedtime stories, sing simple songs, rock your baby in a rocking chair, or make soft "hushing" noises to soothe your little one into slumber.

Consistency is key, so try to stick to a sleep schedule as much as possible. Don't plan outings during your baby's typical nap times, and don't keep them out at night past their bedtime if you can avoid it. If your little one struggles to go to sleep, establishing a consistent routine can help significantly.

Nighttime Sleep Strategies

Helping babies learn to self-soothe can promote better nighttime sleep, and also help your baby go back to sleep if they wake up during the night. Falling asleep is one thing, but staying asleep is a whole other problem!

Using a lovey or pacifier can provide comfort and reassurance, and can be a great tool for your baby to learn to self soothe. You can also use a sound machine to play lullabies or a white noise machine to provide background noise, so your baby isn't startled awake by loud noises during the night.

Gradually increasing the time between feedings can help babies sleep through the night. Your pediatrician will assess when your baby is able to go longer intervals at night without eating. During the early weeks and months of life, newborns need to eat often.

Newborn sleep differs from older infant sleep. As they grow, they can gradually get more sleep in between feedings. Typically, as long as you have a healthy baby, you can try other methods to help them fall back asleep instead of resorting to feeding once they are old enough.

Naps and Sleep

Naps are essential for infant sleep, with most babies needing 2-4 naps a day until their first birthday. How many hours a day a baby spends napping will vary greatly between babies and will change over time.

Having a consistent nap schedule can help regulate baby sleep patterns, and can even affect how much your baby sleeps at night. Having a quiet environment for your baby to take a nap is important.

Avoiding overstimulation before naps can promote better sleep. Help your baby fall asleep for nap time by creating a dim and quiet environment in their nursery for them to rest.

What Are Some Common Sleep Challenges?

Here are some common reasons why your baby might have trouble sleeping:

• Sleep regressions, teething, and separation anxiety can disrupt baby sleep.

• Traveling or changes in sleep routine can affect baby sleep patterns.

• Night terrors affect some children, even from a young age.

• An unsafe sleep environment can create dangerous problems with a baby's sleep development - and can even put your child at risk of SIDS.

Tips for Parents to Help With Their Baby's Sleep

Baby sleep changes so much over the first few years of life. Here are some tips to help parents not stress so much when it comes to their child's sleep.

• Be flexible and adjust to changing baby sleep patterns.

• Prioritize healthy sleep habits, such as a consistent sleep schedule and routine.

• Create a dark, quiet sleep environment for naps and night time.

• Keep a sleep diary, so you can track what works well with your baby and bring up any issues with your child's pediatrician.

• Seek medical help if concerned about baby sleep or overall health.

Infant sleep changes a lot during the first year.

Understanding infant sleep patterns and establishing healthy sleep habits can promote better sleep for babies. Parents should be patient and flexible, as baby sleep patterns change rapidly during the first year - and regressions can be frustrating!

Prioritize baby sleep safety and seek medical help if concerned about baby sleep or overall health. A parent's mental health is also an important factor when it comes to helping their child sleep at night. If you are feeling overly exhausted, don't be afraid to reach out for help.