Whether you have a newborn, toddler, or middle-aged baby, there comes a time in most parents' lives when you wonder if your baby is sleeping too much . It's true that a lot of people come to the blog because their baby isn't getting enough sleep, but once you've helped your baby sleep through the night and get a better nap, you may come across a time when you don't get enough sleep. aren't sure if your baby is sleeping too much or too little.
On the other hand, there are babies who are naturally good sleepers whose parents may wonder how their baby is going to learn to sit up, crawl, walk or talk, if all he does is c is sleeping! What would worry-free parenting be like?
This article will help you determine if your baby is sleeping too much.
Before you start, if you have any questions about your baby's health, talk to your doctor first! That's why he's there and don't worry about being an overprotective parent.
Trust your instincts and if you feel like something is wrong, it's okay to ask, but it can hurt not to!
Your newborn's sleep - Newborn sleeping too much or too little
Newborns need lots of sleep . If you've read the book or watched the movie, The Happiest Baby on the Block, you know that author Dr. Karp thinks babies actually need another trimester in the womb, but if a baby had to stay longer, we could never give birth to such a big baby. I can't even imagine! So, if you consider the possibility that this is true, it means that the first 2-3 months of your baby's life are still full of rapid growth and therefore he needs plenty of sleep .
Unless your baby literally never wakes up, not even to eat, there's probably no reason to worry about your baby sleeping too much. In the first few weeks, it's also very common that you have to wake your baby every two to three hours to make sure he's eating, and he may go back to sleep right after that. If it lasts too long, talk to your doctor.
It is very common for newborn babies to sleep between 14 and 18 hours a day , on average. Some newborns need even more sleep and basically wake up for 30 minutes or less each time and sleep most of the day and night. If your baby sleeps too much during the day , but wants to party at night, he's probably having confused days and nights and you should check out our newborn sleep tips. Find out here how to set your baby's internal clock and set up a good sleep rhythm?
My most important advice at this point is this: if you have a newborn who sleeps a lot, take advantage of it now because it will change quickly. 😀 If your baby isn't sleeping as much as other newborns, he's most likely normal too. There's a wide variety of what's "normal" and your baby's sleep needs are as unique as they come.
Your baby's sleep - My baby sleeps a lot
Beyond the neonatal stage, you may begin to worry about your baby's development if he sleeps too much. After all, how can he learn to roll or crawl in his sleep? What is too much sleep?
When your baby sleeps 13 to 15 hours a day, it stays within normal limits for a very long time. If your baby sleeps less, it may or may not be enough sleep. Depending on your baby's age, a baby will typically sleep 11 to 12 hours at night and 2 to 3 hours during the day . As the averages are just that, your baby may indeed need more than 12 hours at night and 4 hours of sleep during the day. This is unlikely to be of concern.
That's a lot of sleep, but a good night's sleep of 12 hours and two naps of two hours is fantastic and there's still plenty of time to learn all the wonderful skills like rolling, crawling, walking and talk. He probably needs more time to process it all and just needs more sleep than other babies his age. Observing his behavior when he is standing is a sign that everything is fine. Again, enjoy while it lasts. 🙂
But if your 6 month or older baby sleeps like a newborn, barely standing up during the day no more than an hour each time, for example, I think that would warrant a visit to your doctor. There are pathologies that can lead to an excessive need for sleep.
sleep in children
As your baby grows, their sleep needs will decrease , but long, luxurious afternoon naps are very common among toddlers. Some toddlers can sleep 3 hours in the afternoon and fall asleep before 7 p.m. 🙂
So just as it is normal to have toddlers who can sleep 12 hours at night and take a 3 hour nap, there are also toddlers who sleep 11-12 hours at night and take a nap of 1 to 2 hours.
Again, there is a wide range of "normal" situations and the only case you may be concerned about is when your child sleeps so much that he doesn't have time for gross motor activities or spending awake time. with you to learn how to communicate and learn other life skills.
Overall, your instincts will tell you if your baby is sleeping too much or too little. Keep in mind that temporary increases in sleep can also be due to illness or growth spurts. If your baby is happy, growing, learning and thriving, there's probably no need to worry about too much sleep.
Even if your baby or child doesn't reach all of their milestones exactly "on time," that doesn't mean they're not "normal." Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns, but if not, enjoy your baby or your child, and take advantage of the moments of rest if he sleeps a lot!
Is your baby sleeping too much or not enough? Share your story in comments!
