I heard that newborns are supposed to sleep at least 16 hours a day..My daughter doesn't AT ALL.?

Question

I thought that newborns sleep most of the day....at least 16 hours. But for some reason my little girl(5 weeks) is up ALL day. She takes little 10 minute naps here and there,but she's up most of the day til like 4am and is awake again by around 1pm. I know that she's getting an ok amount of sleep,but is it enough for a newborn?? I'm getting a little worried and I'm extremely tired myself. How is SHE not tired??

Answer 1

She's not tired because she probably takes 50 naps a day (even if they're only 10 minutes long)!! With a young baby like that, you don't have to worry; when they're tired, they fall asleep. It's not a problem *at all* for her!

If you are falling over, however, there's definitely a problem!! Whatever you do, *don't* do the "Baby Wise" thing; it's dangerous. It doesn't kill many babies, but it does do serious damage (see first 2 URLs in the sources section below).

For your own sake, try some of these. First of all, sleep at night when the baby sleeps. Even if it's odd hours for you, at least you can get a decent night's sleep. 4 am to 1 pm is 9 hours.

Next, work gently on getting her onto a better schedule for you. Try waking her up 1/2 hour earlier tomorrow (12:30 instead of 1 pm) and for the next 3-4 days (and then another half hour earlier for several more days). When she's awak after your normal bedtime, keep everything *completely* dark (no nightlights, and shade the windows entirely as needed). Don't talk above a whisper. Don't play. Sing calm songs, rock, or rub her back. If at all possible (see last URL in sources), take her into your bed, lie down next to her, and nurse her back to sleep. Even if she wakes up every hour until 4 am, at least you can get in a bit of a nap each time.

When you wake her in the morning (or afternoon), play actively with her. Give her a definite impression of "day".

When you say she never naps, do you mean that literally? Does she fall asleep, and wake up as soon as you put her down? Then don't put her down. Instead, try this. Lie down with her and nurse her to sleep. Then you go to sleep. This way there's no "putting down" to wake her *and* you get a nap, too.

Do you have a baby sling? You can also nurse her to sleep in there, then go about your usual business. The movement of your body will often help keep a baby asleep.

Answer 2

Does she cry allot? She may be having a breathing problem and that affects how well she sleeps. Make sure she is getting enough to eat, whether it is breast milk or formula. Ask her pediatrician if there is anything wrong. He/she may run some tests or give you some ideas. Also, allergies can cause a baby to not sleep well, due to the breathing. Babies that can't breath well, can't sleep well. In a 24 hour period, she should sleep around 16 hours, but as she gets older, her waking periods will become longer. Babies are naturally nocturnal, they need time to adjust to sleeping at night, too. This could take up to three months for some babies. As for you being tired, sleep when she sleeps, even if it's ten minutes here and there. Let most the housework go for now, or get someone to help you with it. You need your rest too. Your baby can tell when your tired or upset, or stressed and this affects her sleep, too. Believe me, I know it is a trying time for both of you, but you will make it through okay. Do not give your baby anything to help her sleep (like benadryl) unless her pediatrician tells you to.

Answer 3

Just try little by little to change her sleeping patterns... at this age I said I GOTTA due something orelse i'm gunna fall asleep while i am taking care of my son... every newborn is different... as long as she is happy than she probably is getting enough sleep.. but if she seems totally grumpy like outside the newborn fussiness... then I would look into buying a book about sleep!!

I know when my son was this age I had him on a 3 hour schedule... wake up eat play take a nap all within 3 hours... then night feedings were to stay short and sweet no talking... and wake up your little one when you want to have her start waking up every day... like at 7 or 8... sooner or later she will start falling into a better schedule!!

I never thought it would be so hard to get a baby to get into a sleeping routine... but it is totally true that you have to train/help them learn their sleeping schedule and routine!! goodluck

Answer 4

Listen, I have a 6 month old. Until that baby sleeps, you're going to go through hell and so will she. Get her on a schedule. Read Babywise. I followed that plan and my baby slept 5 hours the first night. Other than one cold and teething she's made it all night ever since.
Your baby needs sleep more than you. Think of how tired you are and multiply that for her. It will change your life. Don't be afraid to let her cry some. It's not going to hurt her at all. My baby girl cries a little sometimes when I lay her down, but she always wakes up happy, smiling and rested. Best of all, when they're on a schedule and they cry you can tell better what they need.

Answer 5

Oh, I feel your pain! I, too, had a baby who never slept! He would sleep about 15 min, then be up for three or four. I could never nap, nor get anything done. I was exhausted! There was a time, after three or four months, that even though my husband was working full time, I had to have him get up with the baby during the night, because my husband could fall asleep right away anyway. I was so jealous of other moms who had kids who slept through the night! So, for all these months it was so very difficult. He slept his first eight hours at night at about nine months old. Just try to do your best.

Answer 6

My first son only took one nap a day as a newborn, but he did sleep a good 8 hrs at night without ever waking up in the middle of the night, so it wasn't so bad.

Try sleeping when she sleeps - even if it's not a typical schedule you'll feel better at least.

Answer 7

No newborn is "like" any other...this is your little lady. Hopefully you have contacted your daughter's pediatrician regarding the amount of sleep you both are getting. Be easy. I am finally getting some sleep now, and mine are 5, 9, and 13...Enjoy every single moment...I miss those alone times, when the stars are out, and I could take my baby for a midnight stroll....

Answer 8

This sounds alot like my son when he was that small. Except he would not sleep in stretches that long but he would sleep on that same kind of pattern. All you have to do is try to get her to go to sleep at a timely matter. I tried everything, even the things people said I shouldn't. I took him on car rides, left him in his swing, and eventually he fell into our schedule. It will come in time but for now just sleep when she does. I mean if she is sleeping from 4am to 1pm that is a good time span 9 hours, it will just take a little time to get her to do it when you want her to.

Answer 9

You heard wrong!! every newborn is different and your child doesnt need much sleep? does you or the father work nights? we sent my daughter to the nursery the night after i had her and she got her days and nights mixed up cause the nurses t hought she was so cute so they kept her up at night! and then she'd never sleep at night! your the only one that needs the rest its hard being a new mommy Try taking the naps when she does or just lay her in her crib and you take a nap its not goign to hurt her to cry in her crib for an hour

Answer 10

My son didn't sleep during the day for a while either. There are two schools of thought on this: The first is that intelligent kids require less sleep. That's what they told me. I don't think I believe that one.
The second is that you have to teach them to sleep. I recommend doing it properly, getting all the information you can, buying specialist sleep books about babies (your nurse can tell you about local sleep specialist centres who will recommend books) and learning all you can. If she needs more sleep, you have to teach her to sleep. Every child is different; but sometimes you do have to teach them to go to sleep, and they are better off for it.

Also remember: Every parent makes mistakes. Kids survive anyway. Do what you think is best after learning all you can. Learn, then trust your own decisions. The first six months with a baby are hellish chaos. Try to be happy.