Understanding Your Newborn’s Sleep: From Light Sleep to Deep Rest

It’s perfectly natural for mothers to notice their newborns sleeping most of the time during the first few days. Many even find comfort and joy in watching their baby sleep peacefully, with soft, angelic expressions on their tiny faces. A sleeping baby often feels like a sign of purity, innocence, and calm — especially when they only wake briefly to feed, then drift back to sleep again.

However, as time passes, some mothers begin to worry when their babies start waking up frequently — every few minutes — and seem to struggle to fall back asleep.

Dr. Mona Abdul Rashid, a child sleep specialist, explains that it’s essential for mothers to understand that there are two main types of sleep in infants, and to recognize how to help their baby move from light sleep to deep sleep. She shares practical steps and a daily routine that can make all the difference.

The Two Types of Newborn Sleep

1. Active Sleep (Light Sleep)

There’s a type of sleep known as active sleep, or light sleep, during which your newborn may move slightly, make soft noises, or even seem fussy and hard to soothe.

During this phase, the baby’s eyes move quickly under their eyelids — this is known as REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement). REM sleep accounts for about half of a newborn’s total sleep time and is when dreaming occurs.

This light sleep phase begins while the baby is still in the womb, toward the end of pregnancy, and continues after birth. Over time, as the baby grows, their sleep pattern gradually becomes more like that of adults, with longer and deeper periods of rest.

2. Quiet Sleep (Deep Sleep)

The second stage of sleep is called quiet sleep or deep sleep. In this phase, the baby is calm, their breathing becomes regular, and they move very little.

While newborns spend less time in deep sleep compared to active sleep, it’s during this stage that they experience true rest and physical recovery. After a period of deep sleep, babies naturally return to light sleep again — cycling between the two throughout the night.

What Are “Wake Windows” for Newborns?

The term “wake window” refers to the short period of time a newborn stays awake between naps.

Newborns spend most of their day and night asleep, so when they do wake up, it’s as if they’re peeking at the world through a small window before returning to sleep again.

A healthy wake window is a period when your baby is alert, calm, and content — often cooing or moving their arms and legs gently. As your baby grows, these wake windows will gradually become longer.

Parents are encouraged to keep a small notebook to record how long their baby stays awake before showing signs of fatigue — such as rubbing eyes, fussiness, or yawning. When these signs appear, it’s time to help your baby wind down and return to sleep through soothing methods such as:

• Feeding,

• Changing the diaper,

• Gentle rocking or singing,

• Playing soft sounds.

How to Help Your Baby Transition from Light Sleep to Deep Sleep

1. Put Your Baby Down When Drowsy — Not Fully Asleep

It’s a common misconception that a baby must always fall asleep while feeding. In reality, sleepiness can appear in many ways — rubbing eyes, mild fussiness, or a tired cry.

When you notice these signs, place your baby in their crib while drowsy but still awake. This helps them learn to fall asleep independently.

If your baby always falls asleep while nursing, they may wake up suddenly when the breast is removed and have trouble going back to sleep.

2. Use Gentle White Noise

Soft background noise — often called white noise — can help your baby transition smoothly into deep sleep.

This could be the sound of a household appliance from a safe distance, or a recording that mimics the sounds of the womb. These sounds comfort the baby and make them feel as if they’re still in their first, familiar world — promoting longer, deeper sleep.

3. Establish a Daily Sleep Routine

Even very young babies can adapt to a consistent routine. For instance, if your baby gets used to a warm bath every evening before bedtime, they’ll begin to associate it with sleep.

A simple bedtime routine might include:

🩵 Diaper change

🍼 Feeding

🎶 Soft lullaby

💡 Dim lighting

These calming cues help your baby’s body recognize that it’s time for deep sleep.

4. Help Your Baby Distinguish Between Day and Night

A key step in healthy sleep development is teaching your baby the difference between daytime and nighttime.

During the day, keep the environment bright and lively — open the curtains, let in natural light, and engage with your baby. Let them hear normal household sounds and see people moving around.

At night, create a calm, dim, and quiet atmosphere. Speak in low tones and minimize stimulation. Over time, your baby will learn that daytime is for activity and nighttime is for rest.

Final Thoughts

Newborn sleep may seem unpredictable at first, but by understanding the two stages of sleep, recognizing your baby’s wake windows, and following gentle, consistent routines, you can help your little one transition naturally from light to deep sleep.

With patience and loving consistency, your baby will gradually develop a healthy sleep rhythm — and both of you will enjoy more peaceful nights.