Understanding Your Baby’s Sleep in the First Year

Newborn Sleep

• It is normal for a mother to see her newborn sleeping most of the time during the first days after birth.

• Parents often feel reassured and happy when the baby sleeps quietly, showing peaceful and innocent expressions.

• Babies usually wake briefly to feed and then return to sleep for long stretches.

However, after a few months, parents may become concerned if the baby begins to wake frequently, for example, every few minutes, and stays awake longer, making it harder to return to sleep.

Sleep Changes with Age

• As a baby grows, their sleep patterns naturally change, which may lead to a phenomenon called sleep regression.

• Sleep is essential for a baby’s healthy growth and development.

• Indicators of adequate sleep include the baby’s mood and overall behavior.

Typical sleep patterns by age:

Age	Total Sleep	Notes
0–3 months	Sleeps most of the day and night	Sleep cycles last 50–60 minutes; night/day differentiation begins
3–6 months	12–15 hours/day	2–3 naps during the day (about 2 hours each); may wake once at night
6–12 months	11–14 hours/day	Most sleep at night (6–10 PM); 2–3 naps during the day (30–120 minutes each)

What is Sleep Regression?

• Usually begins around 4 months.

• Babies no longer sleep continuously; they may wake multiple times at night without needing to feed.

• Causes include:

  • Increased attachment to parents, especially the mother

  • Developing new skills such as rolling over, lifting the head and torso

  • Curiosity about the environment, including bright toys, moving people, or screens

• During this stage, babies want to explore their surroundings and stimuli, which interrupts continuous sleep.

Tips to Help Your Baby Overcome Sleep Regression

1. Encourage Independent Sleep

   • Do not automatically link the end of feeding to sleep.

   • Watch for sleep cues such as rubbing eyes, fussing, or general restlessness.

   • Place your baby in their crib to fall asleep independently instead of holding or feeding them until they sleep.

2. Use Soft Background Noise

   • Continuous gentle sounds, like a blender at a distance or recordings of womb-like noises, can help the baby transition to deep sleep.

3. Maintain a Consistent Routine

   • Babies thrive on predictable sequences: diaper change → feeding → lullaby → dim lights.

   • Bathing around the same time every night can signal bedtime.

4. Daytime Stimulation and Nighttime Calm

   • Expose the baby to natural light and everyday sounds during the day.

   • Keep nights calm, quiet, and slightly dim to indicate it is time to sleep.

   • Interact quietly with your baby in the evenings using soft speech and gentle gestures.

5. Encourage Longer Nighttime Sleep

   • Gradually help your baby sleep for at least 4 consecutive hours at night.

   • Avoid keeping the baby in a dark room all day; daytime stimulation helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

   • Seeing family members move around during the day helps the baby understand daytime activity.

In summary: Sleep regression is a normal developmental phase. By encouraging independent sleep, maintaining consistent routines, and balancing day and night cues, parents can help their baby gradually return to longer, more restful sleep.