Trying to figure out a newborn's sleep pattern can be difficult for parents - for good reason! Sleep patterns will be highly disorganized for a few weeks after your baby is born. It's because newborns can't distinguish between day and night, and because their stomachs are so tiny, they need to feed every few hours. It's perfectly normal for a newborn to have erratic sleep patterns that seem totally unpredictable.  

You can help your newborn develop a more predictable sleep routine by understanding their sleep patterns. You can help your newborn develop healthy sleep habits by reading on for expert-backed information on newborn sleep patterns.

An explanation of your baby's internal clock

Humans have a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, which is known as the circadian rhythm. It regulates how awake and asleep you feel by acting as an internal clock. 

Circadian rhythm is influenced by many factors, but night and day play a major role.  As the sun rises, our bodies become active and sleepy as the sun sets. Depending on the time, your brain activates hormones that keep you awake or alert you to sleep.

The circadian rhythm of newborns, however, does not develop and allows them to confuse daytime with nighttime. Their irregular sleep patterns and falling asleep whenever they feel tired explain why, unlike you, they fall asleep whenever they feel tired.

Dr. Nilong Vyas, M.D., founder of Sleepless at NOLA, says newborns' circadian rhythms develop by two months of age. To assist your newborn in recognizing day from night, use environmental cues such as keeping your house dark and quiet at night, taking frequent walks outdoors during the day, and keeping the shades open as much as possible during the day.

What is the average amount of sleep newborns get?

There is a lot of sleep for newborns! The average newborn sleeps 14-17 hours per day during the first three months of their lives. It is unfortunate that newborns are not able to sleep in long uninterrupted blocks of time, unlike adults. Don't worry, this stage won't last forever - your newborn will likely wake up throughout the night to feed.

The duration of your baby's sleep at night will gradually increase by month four. A baby might not sleep through the night without requiring an overnight feeding until month six or later.

Is it possible to sleep too much as a newborn?

It's probably nothing to worry about if your baby sleeps longer than usual sometimes. In addition to sleeping a lot, newborns need to stay awake and alert in order to feed, bond with their parents, and do other essential things. 

"It can be worrisome for a newborn not to be awake enough for proper feeding," says Dr. Vyas. If your newborn sleeps through feedings or you are concerned about whether they're eating frequently enough, consult your pediatrician. As long as they are able to be woken and alert enough to eat, it's not a problem." 

Is there a recommended length of time between naps for newborns?

It usually takes a newborn 45 to 90 minutes to wake up between naps. As time passes, these wake windows become longer and longer. According to Dr. Vyas, newborns can only stay awake for 30 minutes at a time during the newborn period. After the first month, your baby may spend up to an hour awake at a time. By month 12, your baby might be awake for 90 minutes to 3 hours at a time.

In order to make sure your newborn will sleep through the night, you should know how long they should be awake between their naps. Don't let baby wake up after the wake window has ended in order to avoid overtiredness and overstimulation. Your newborn may yawn, fuss, or look away when he or she is ready to sleep.

The alert phases of your newborn 

During their wake periods, your newborn will show varying degrees of alertness.

A quiet alert phase is underway 

It is common for babies to be still right after they wake up, taking in their surroundings. As your newborn observes objects and responds to movements and sounds, this phase is called the quiet alert phase. 

A phase of active alerting

After a quiet alert phase, your newborn will transition to an active alert phase, where their bodies are active but quiet. By talking to, singing to, or showing your newborn books or toys, this is a lovely time to engage with your newborn.

During the crying phase

When your newborn is crying, he or she will - well, cry. This phase is characterized by erratic movements and loud crying. In newborns, crying usually indicates hunger or discomfort, but overstimulation can lead to refusal to eat. In this case, feeding and changing their diaper should be done before they cry.

A blanket or holding them close can soothe and calm them if they are crying.

Sleeping tips for newborns

In the beginning, your baby relies heavily on you to teach him or her. The development of waking and sleeping patterns is especially important for newborns, who spend most of their time sleeping. 

Here are a few things you can do to ensure your baby sleeps and develops a routine:

• Know the sleep cues of newborns, including yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness, and looking away.

• Ensure a comfortable and safe sleeping environment.

• You can help them fall asleep on their own by letting them feed during the night. In older children, they may expect to sleep in your arms, which could cause problems. It is recommended that you place your baby in their crib while awake and allow them to get drowsy in your arms. This will help them become independent sleepers.

• It is also beneficial to establish a bedtime routine early on. The routine will become associated with falling asleep for your baby. You can get some much-needed sleep while they're asleep by playing soft music, dimming the lights, giving them a massage, and snuggling them in new PJs.