is it normal for a newborn to hardly sleep at all?

Question

My newborn baby is about 2 months old and he hardly sleeps during the day or night. Is this normal? I thought babies were supposed to sleep more. Is there anyway we can help him to sleep more?

Answer 1

Babies should require a lot of sleep. You need to call your pediatrician as soon as the office opens in the morning.

Answer 2

First of all, go to babycenter.com -- they have lots of great advice that helped me a lot when my son was a newborn!

I think I remember my son not really settling into a sleeping pattern until 5-6 months. He was a terrible napper. We're talking 20 minute catnaps at first and that went on for months. Then he would go to sleep for 4 hours at night and wake up to play! He began sleeping longer after 6 months or so.

We tried a few things: - sleeping in the swing or bouncer seat
-white noise like a fan to muffle other noises
-driving in the car
-Set up a bedtime routine early, even if baby doesn't respond and it seems like "just practice" for you
-Jogging pants and fluffy socks
-Keeping the house cool & not overbundling
-Don't wake the baby from an afternoon nap even if it runs long.

If he is excessively fussy, talk to your doctor or a specialist and maybe they can help.

Answer 3

ask the doc about it, but all babies are different if you drank alot of caffine during the pregnancy then that could be a factor otherwise you just have a very active 2 month old, my son didnt sleep as much as a normal baby especially in the night, hes two years old and still doesnt sleep at night and hardly ever takes a nap and a two year old is suppose to get at least 1 hour to two hour nap a day HA not my child thats why im so tired all the time and became lazy i hate being lazy but im just to damn tire good luck welcome to parent hood

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my daughter! I've only just now got it sorted out, and she's 7 weeks old! Hang in there, we've all struggled with something or other with our newborns at one point in time!

I found that the reason why I couldn't get my daughter to sleep, was because I was keeping her awake too long, and wasn't aware of the signs she was showing me that she was sleepy. If I missed these signs, she would then become over-tired, and would not want to sleep. My midwife told me that if I put her to sleep once she yawned, rubbed her eyes, or started rapid jerky movements with her limbs, it would be easier for her to nod off.

Your son may benefit from having a relaxing bath, with a lavender scent in it. Johnsons makes a good baby soap with that scent, and is marketed towards parents who have difficulty getting their baby to sleep.

A ride in the car always worked wonders for my daughter. I remember the toughest night we had with her, I ended up taking her for a drive at 1am, her screaming the whole time we were strapping her in, and she was asleep by the end of our street! Often a ride in the stroller/pram can help as well.

Do you swaddle your son at all? This can really help! You've probably noticed that babies move their hands a lot, and startle in their sleep. If you wrap your son, his hands won't wake him up as much, and he will get a more decent sleep.

You could also wear your son in a baby carrier or a sling. These have worked wonders for my daughter. She is sent off to sleep by the constant motion, kind of like when I was pregnant with her. Lets you have the use of both hands to get the housework done too!

I've heard great things about playing 'womb sounds' to your baby. It is basically just a recording of the sounds one would typically hear in the womb, reminding the baby of the calming environment, and relaxing him until he falls off to the land of nod.

Good luck!

Answer 5

well my newborn sleeps 3 hours at a time and than wakes up for a feeding. sometimes he may be up for 3 hours at a time though because he is still hungry. if you are concerned ask your ped. he could be allerigic to the milk if he cries the whole time he's awake or there could be something else wrong. just bring up your concerns to the ped. but it doesn't seem to normal though most baboes sleep and eat alot the first 5 months but every baby isn't the same. but you may want to call the ped. they usually have someone on call at the office you may want to try a call them and ask them some questions.

Answer 6

My son would take cat naps during the day until he was about 3 months old but he was always a great night sleeper. I would spend so much time rocking him just to try and get him to sleep but he never slept for long. Hang in there, it does get better :)

Answer 7

Yes he should be sleeping my daughter had severe reflux still does but she wouldnt sleep even in the hospital she just didnt want to go to sleep. Medicine really helped try sleeping him on an incline and see if he sleeps any better but do go to the doctor and ask his/her advice

Answer 8

you should consult your pediatrician about that,it sounds not normal to me.he should be sleeping at least 16 hours in a day.he might be disturb or something or he doesn't feel comfortable.give him a sponge bath everyday so he'll feel more relax and refreshing.

Answer 9

yes!! i read a thousand books 2. and i was like my baby is awake for hours a day! how can that be? as it appears thats normal every baby is different...n as time passes he will be awake more and more

Answer 10

YES IT IS BECUZ 4 NINE MONTHS THEY WERE IN YOUR STOMACH THEY GOT SO ATTACHED DAT WHEN THEY CAME OUT AND HAVE 2 SLEEEP IN THIER CRIB THEY HAVE TO GET USE TO IT SO DATS WHY IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE 4 THEM TO GET WARMED UP TO THE NEW THING THEY HAVE TO SLEEP IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!