How Much Should My Baby Sleep During The Day?
The amount of sleep a baby needs differs from baby to baby, and I see far too many new parents stressing over babies sleep routines.
The first 2-3 days after birth your baby may be very sleepy and only waking for feeds. Do not be concerned once going home from hospital if your baby becomes a little more wakeful.
When awake she will want to be fed or held. New-born babies are not spoilt or naughty, so feed her and hold her as much as she wants. The closer you keep your new-born too you the quicker she will get to know you and the sooner you will get to know her and understand her needs.
There are many books written on babies sleeping routines, many of which are unrealistic, putting unrealistic expectations on baby and parents.
Below is a guide line that may help you to settle your baby into a routine, remember your baby is not a robot but a little human being. Never expect each sleep or each day to be the same.
The first 2 weeks of a baby’s life, babies are normally very sleepy.
From week 2-3 baby will go through her first growth spurt. She will become far more wakeful, hungry and windy. It is important to use your support during this week as it is often the most trying week.
Once baby is through this growth spurt she will start settling into a bit of a routine.
I encourage moms to try putting baby down for a sleep an hour to an hour and a half after each feed.
The length of her sleep will vary. For the first 6 months she needs 2-4hrs of sleep a day. Normally 2 good sleeps for 1hr to 1.5hrs a day, and 2 power naps 20min -30min.
From 6 months to 1 year she needs two sleeps a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
From around 1yr she only needs 1 sleep a day, going down around around 11am for 1 hour or more.
If she is sleeping more than this do not wake her but count yourselves blessed, and remember sleep induces sleep!
So please moms put the books aside and stop stressing over your baby’s sleep.