Is too much sleep effecting my 2 month old's development?

Question

My baby is a supposedly "easy" baby. I am having trouble getting any reassurance because most people tell me to be thankfull that my baby sleeps so much, and to enjoy it while it lasts.
My 2 month old has the following sleep/eat/wake schedule (roughly)...
9pm to 5 am - sleep
5am to 5:30am - eat
5:30am to 8:00am - sleep
8:00am to 8:30am - eat
8:30am to 10:00am - awake
10:00am to 1:pm - sleep
1:00pm to 1:30pm - eat
1:30pm to 2:30pm - awake
2:30pm to 4:00pm - sleep
4:00pm to 4:30pm - eat
4:40pm to 6:00pm - awake
6:00pm to 7:00pm - sleep
7:00pm to 7:30pm - eat
7:30pm to 9pm - awake
When he is awake, he is very mellow. He was full term but had a rough start to his life. Hehas gained weight well, and is growing. My concern is that he doesn't get enough quality awake time to develop as he should. He is 8 weeks old, and still can't hold his head or smile socially. Everyone that I have talked to says not to worry - He will do it when he is ready.
I can't stop worrying! Help

Answer 1

I'm assuming this is your first baby. If so, take it from someone who's had babies on both ends of the spectrum...be very happy that you're baby is getting good sleep! Barring any emergencies (your pediatrician would've mentioned anything to worry about or pay special attention to), the more your baby sleeps, the more he grows! And besides, you will be the envy of all your friends who have babies that just will not sleep through the night for anything! That's not to mention the good sleep YOU can get as well:)

If you just can't stop worrying about it, call your doctor or a nurse helpline to get some added reassurance that all is well with the little bambino:)

Good luck!

Answer 2

Relax...he's fine...my son did the same thing starting at 2-1/2 weeks. He would go down at 9pm and wake up at 7 am...nurse and go to sleep for a few more hours. He is now a very alert full of trouble 2-1/2 yr old. I had the same concerns, but my Dr told me to relax. All children progress at different speeds. Mention it to your Dr at your next appt, to help yourself feel better.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry. A close friend had two babies like that. Around 6 months, they suddenly stopped sleeping so much and were full of so much energy and spirit. 8 weeks is on the younger side of all those newborn milestones too. As long as your babe is eating and growing well, those milestones will follow.

Answer 4

There really is nothing that you can do. He is awake as much as he needs to be, and it is fine to be this way.
All those people you have talked to are right, but I guess it doesn't matter how many people tell you it's fine, you ar ejust always going to worry.

But the thing is, he will do it when he is ready.
He has never read the rules about when he is supposed to smile socially, so why would he follow them?

Answer 5

Babies grow when they're sleeping, provided they get enough food.

If he's gaining weight fine, then don't worry. If he was tired do to lack of food, then I'd be very worried, but if the weight is coming fine, he's just a happy contented boy. 8 week olds cannot hold their head.

Answer 6

I really do understand your concern. Babies should only sleep and eat. It is when they sleep that they grow.
If your baby is breast fed, s/he should eat every 2-3 hours, if bottle fed, every 3 hours.
You should be grateful yes that you have such an easy baby, I wish mine slept through the night like that also, but what you need to do is continue to monitor his/her feedings for every 2-3 hrs. through the night, and not have your baby sleeping on a well empty stomach. 9-6am is 4 feedings that your baby is missing. You should still feed your baby while s/he is sleeping, if your baby loves to sleep at night, feeding him/her should not interrupt his/her sleeping pattern, but do keep your baby fed, it is essential for his/her growth, as well as sleeping.

Answer 7

everyone is right..nothing to worry about..infact more sleep is good for infants just makesure that she drinks enough milk....