Sleep Like a Baby! A Guide to Newborn Sleep Habits in the First Few Months
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Time to read 7 min
Babies sleep a lot! Did you know that the average newborn child will sleep anywhere between 8 and 18 hours of the day? Although it may seem like a natural instinct to sleep, sleeping in the outside world is a new experience for your little one. This new experience can bring about surprising behaviours from sleeping with their eyes open to breathing irregularities. This blog will cover some of the most common newborn sleep behaviours so that you can be prepared during those precious first few months with your little one.
A Guide to Newborn Sleep Habits in the First Few Months
1. Sleeping with Eyes Open
Although it may be slightly distressing to see your little one sleeping with their eyes open, it is important to know that this is natural and is common amongst both babies and adults! The medical term for this is nocturnal lagophthalmos and it has been estimated that 1 in every 20,000 babies will experience this.
Whilst it is not completely understood why some children and adults sleep with their eyes open, there are some factors which make this more likely to occur. One of these factors is a heredity link. This means if either you or your partner sleep with your eyes open, your little one may do too.
Another factor that can affect whether your baby sleeps with their eyes open includes your baby’s developing nervous system and REM (Rapid Eye Movements). As your little one’s nervous system is not yet fully developed and they spend around 50% of their sleep cycle in the REM sleep stage, it is more likely that their eyes may be open when sleeping. However, as your little one’s nervous system develops, it is likely they will stop sleeping with their eyes open.
2. Mouth Breathing During Sleep
Babies are naturally nasal breathers. Breathing though their noses allow them to feed and breathe at the same time. In addition to this, breathing through the nose provides optimal oxygen intake, as well as filtering the air we inhale.
When their noses become blocked with mucus, babies will breathe through their mouth. It is important to know that they will usually stop breathing through their mouths when their nose is no longer blocked. If your child continues to breath out of their mouth, it is important to speak to a medical professional as this could indicate an underlying issue such as tongue tie or undiagnosed allergy.
3. Startling and Jerking Movements
When placing your little one to sleep, they may suddenly jerk themselves awake. This is known as the Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is a natural reaction that babies can show when they have been startled by something such as a loud noise, sudden movement or bright light. The Moro reflex is not something to be worried about. It shows your baby is developing their reflexes and will typically stop after a few months, as your baby begins to support their head on their own.
However, after being startled some babies may find it difficult to go back to sleep. They may even start to cry. Swaddling can help soothe a baby back to sleep. The Love to Dream Swaddle Up TM Cotton Original has been designed with a patented ARMS UP™ position. This allows babies to self soothe by sucking their hands and touching their face to sleep better.
In addition to this, unlike a traditional swaddle blanket or baby sleeping bag, the soft fabric surrounds your little one to replicate the comforting feeling of being in the womb. The two-zip design allows you to change your baby’s nappy without waking them. Furthermore, the Healthy-Hip fit is also recognised by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute making the Love to Dream Swaddle Up TM the perfect addition to your little one’s wardrobe!
4. Grunting, Groaning, and Other Noises
Have you heard your newborn grunt and groan? Although it can be unnerving to hear your little one making noises in their sleep, most of the time this is normal. Whilst sleeping, your newborn might make noises because they are digesting. This is often also referred to as Grunting Baby Syndrome. During their sleep, they may be grunting as they learn how to contract their abdominal muscles as they pass a stool.
Another reason your newborn might be grunting is because they may be experiencing acid reflux. Excess food may travel back up into a baby’s mouth after being placed safely onto their back after a feed. As a result, your little one might make noises as they experience some discomfort.
A baby’s sleep will become quieter as they grow. Often after a few weeks, a newborn will stop making as many noises during their sleep as their digestive and nervous system develops. Furthermore, as your child’s sleep cycle develops, they will experience deeper sleep with less REM cycles, meaning a quieter night for both you and your little one.
5. Short Sleep Cycles and Frequent Waking
Newborns wake a lot more frequently than older children. The average newborn sleep cycle lasts between 2 to 4 hours. When your child does wake, it will most likely be that they are hungry. As newborns have tiny tummies, they need to be fed more frequently. They will wake up from sleep to alert a parent they are hungry often through crying.
Some babies will fall asleep straight after a feed, whilst others find it difficult to get back to sleep once they have awoken and been fed. Many parents may then soothe their child to sleep for hours before they settle. The Rockit Zed is designed to mimic the soothing vibrations of a car ride, a motion that often lulls babies to sleep. This small, portable device can be placed on top of the baby’s mattress, where it releases gentle vibrations that can help a restless baby drift off to sleep. The Rockit Zed also can be used as a soft night. The Rockit Zed is a great addition to any and every nighttime routine.
6. Dreaming and REM Sleep
REM sleep is the part of the sleep cycle is associated with dreaming and memory consolidation. It has been estimated that babies spend around 50% of their sleep cycle in REM sleep. This is compared to adults who spend around 20% of the sleep cycle in REM sleep. Therefore, people often ask if babies dream more than adults? If so, what are they dreaming about?
From what we know about sleep, it is thought that babies may dream more than adults. However, at this current stage there are still so many unanswered questions surrounding baby sleep because babies cannot communicate with us through speech. Therefore, it is unclear what they may dream about or if they do dream at all. Hopefully in the future we will be able to know for sure that your little one is dreaming of snuggles with you in their sleep!
7. Breathing Irregularities
Did you know a newborn takes between 30 and 60 breaths per minute whilst they are asleep? However, it is common for your little one’s breathing pattern to sound irregular. Although this can be unsettling for a parent, a baby’s breathing pattern may stop for 5 to 10 seconds, before starting again with a rapid burst of breathing. This may continue to happen multiple times. It is expected that a newborn will stop this type of breathing pattern at around 6 months of age.
It can be distressing for a parent to see their child stop breathing for a short period of time, even if it is common. The Owlet Medically-Certified Dream SockTM offers extra reassurance for when a partner may need it most. Awarded Silver in the Best Baby Monitor Category of the Honest Midwife Awards 2024, the Owlet Medically-Certified Dream SockTM offers unparalleled peace of mind. Receive real-time notifications if any health readings fall outside the preset ranges through the Owlet Dream App and base station. Track your baby’s vital signs, including pulse rate, oxygen levels, and sleep trends with ease.
8. Where to find support if you’re worried
If you are worried about any your baby’s sleeping habits, there are many places you can go to for support:
- Speak to your health visitor about your concerns
- Ask your GP or doctor if your baby’s sleeping habits are common
- Visit the NHS website for more information on baby sleep behaviours
- Call 999 in an emergency
As your little one begins to start their adventure into this world, it can be daunting as a parent to see surprising new behaviours, especially when they are asleep. However, it is important to know that most of these behaviours are normal and will typically stop as your little one becomes familiar with their new surroundings. If you do have any concerns, please reach out to a health care practitioner. Happy snoozing!
Author - Chloe Markey
Chloe Markey is a freelance writer who specialises in script and blog writing. With a particular passion for podcasts, Chloe has been involved in the production of multiple podcast series, ranging from true crime to our very own The Cheeky Rascals Podcast. She has an avid interest in the world of parenting and has learnt lots since working with Cheeky Rascals!