Most children need lots of sleep. Just how much, however, varies from child to child. Although no two children will need the same amount of sleep, or divide their total sleep between nights and naps in the same way, most children will fall into a predictable range of sleep, depending on their age.
Total Sleep
A new baby will sleep 14 to 16 hours a day. On average, a 1-month-old will sleep eight hours at night and seven hours during the day. A new baby may take several catnaps, gradually easing into a more predictible schedule of up to three or four naps a day. By the time a baby is 3 months old, he should sleep longer at night, up to 10 hours at a time, though he will likely wake to eat. Total sleep will still be about 15 hours a day. At 6 months old, your baby will have probably settled into a two nap a day pattern, with about 14 hours total sleep.
Considerations
If your baby is sleeping a lot when you want him awake---or vice versa---keep her awake during the day, while allowing her to have defined sleeping periods at night and during scheduled nap times. Wake your baby for the late-night feeding at a time that fits your sleep schedule, not hers. It may take a few nights to establish this routine, but be consistent in your schedule, and it will happen. If your baby wakes when you want her to sleep, keep light and activity to a minimum. Change or feed her in the dark, and don't talk to her, or even make eye contact. Baby will quickly learn there is no entertainment to be had during nighttime hours.
Encouraging Sleep
Establish a bedtime routine that will be soothing and become familiar for your baby. A good relaxing routine is to bathe your baby, sing and read to her, then feed and rock for a few minutes before putting her to bed, drowsy, but awake. If you are consistent, your baby will learn to associate these activities with the end of the day.
Effects of Not Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is essential to proper brain development. A baby who does not get enough sleep may be cranky, aggressive, over-emotional or hyperactive. Sleep-deprived babies have a harder time controlling their emotions, and, as they get older, are at a greater risk for health problems, including obesity and attention difficulties.
Sleep Cycles
According to AskDrSears.com, babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults. About an hour after your baby goes to sleep, he begins to squirm and toss and turn, his breathing becomes irregular and his muscles tighten as he enters the phase of light sleep. The time of moving from deep to light sleep is the time when many babies awaken if they are cold, wet or hungry. If your baby does not wake up, he will drift through this light sleep period and back into deep sleep in about 10 minutes. Adult sleep cycles--going from light to deep sleep and then back to light sleep-- last approximately 90 minutes. Infants' sleep cycles are shorter, about 50 to 60 minutes. Learning to recognize your baby's sleep cycles will help you learn the best times to wake him for feedings or transitioning from your bed to his own.
