My Baby Sleeps the Whole Day: Should I Worry?

Baby Sleeping Too Much- It Is Actually Good

• A baby has nothing to do much. Feeding and sleeping are the only things that your baby is concerned about. A baby has a tiny stomach. He wakes up to feed whenever he is hungry, be it day or night.
• According to the National Sleep Foundation, a newborn should get 14-17 hours of sleep in a day. Few babies can even sleep for 19 hours a day. Prolonged sleep is vital for your baby’s growth and development. As the baby grows, the sleeping time reduces. By the age of 6 months, babies start sleeping regularly at night. As they grow older, most infants don’t sleep through the night without waking.
• A baby wakes up after a few hours to feed. Bottle-fed babies tend to follow a more regular schedule of feeding. Breastfed babies feed more often, every 2-3 hours. Few babies sleep for longer stretches. You should wake your baby up every 4 hours to feed him until he gains proper weight for the first few weeks of his life.

How To Put Your Baby To Sleep?

The ways to put your baby to sleep safely are:

• Doctors recommend room sharing of the baby with the parents or siblings for the first few months. You should place the baby in the crib. So, the baby is near you and under supervision. You can feed or monitor the bay easily at night. You should never put your baby to sleep in your own bed as it can be dangerous for the baby due to chances of suffocation.
• Always make your baby sleep on his back and never on his belly. Using a swaddle will help you do this effectively.
• The mattress of your baby should be flat, firm, and have a nicely fitted bedsheet.
• Use lightweight blankets to cover your baby.
• Only use one more cover for your baby than you are using for yourself. Do not cover your baby with excessive layers. Dress your baby in comfortable clothing, with a light sheet over the baby. This prevents the baby from overheating.
• Keep your baby away from smoke, dust and fumes.
• There should be no toys, ties, or ribbons in the baby’s crib while he/she is sleeping. Put all the objects away from the reach of your baby. Any pacifiers should be kept away from their mouth and nose.

Signs That Indicate Baby Is Sleepy

Signals that your baby wants to sleep:

• Tiredness
• Fussiness
• Crying
• Yawning
• Rubbing the eyes.

How To Ensure Your Little One Sleeps Well?

Make sure to take care of the following things:

• Understand the signs that your baby is ready to take a nap.
• The baby usually cries, becomes irritated, yawns, or runs his eyes whenever he wants to sleep. Put your baby to sleep when he shows these signs, this will help your baby establish a better-sleeping routine.
• Encourage the baby to sleep more at night when he is above 2 months of age. Feed your baby at night when he wakes up and put the baby back to sleep.
• Eventually, the baby will learn and go to sleep after the feed. This will establish a proper night-time routine for the baby. You can try bathing, reading, cuddling, and singing lullabies.

When Do You Need To See A Doctor

Consult your healthcare provider if your baby is:

• Doesn’t sleep for consecutive days.
• Extremely fussy or irritable
• Not waking up easily.
• Has troubled breathing.
• Inactive.

Every Baby Is Unique

Every baby is different and so is their sleeping pattern. In the initial days, you need to understand their patterns and needs and modify the routine accordingly. Slowly, they will adjust to the outside environment and merge their sleep routine with their parents. The transition is easy for some and difficult for other families. Patience and practice are essential in this process.

Conclusion

Understanding that extensive sleep is essential for newborns helps alleviate concerns. By implementing safe sleep practices, recognizing sleep cues, and being patient, parents can support their baby's natural development and gradually establish a consistent sleep routine. It's important to be aware of any unusual signs in your baby's sleep patterns and consult with a healthcare provider if needed. Remember, every baby's sleep journey is unique, and adapting to it is a part of the parenting process.