Can a Baby Sleep Too Much?

Sleep — or lack of it is a common problem of parents with young children. Sleep problem in children rarely end with your infants move from crib to bed. The Infant’s sleep (both the quality and quantity) affects everyone at home. It’s a problem if the baby either sleeps too less or too much because you tend to become tired and worried. Read on to know about your baby’s sleep pattern and requirement. Most newborns sleep 14 to 18 hours a day during the first week. They can sleep maximum for 4 or 5 hours at a stretch as this is the longest they can go between feedings. You should awaken your newborn every 3 to 4 hours until their weight gain is established. By 1-2 month of age the infant sleeps 12 to 16 hours a day. They sleep for shorter periods during the day and longer periods at night. Your baby can sleep for long (more than 5-6 hours) only after the first one or two month. Some infants may wake up at night if they are hungry. By 3-4 months the infant usually sleeps for 13 and 15 hours in a day (that is about five combined hours during the day in short or long naps and the rest at night). Your infant may sleep through the night but some infants may wake up at night due to hunger pangs. By 6-9 months, an infant sleeps about 14 hours a day (about 3 hours during the day and 11 hours at night). Most babies are capable of sleeping through the night by this age. As your baby grows the sleep requirement decreases. Some babies sleep more than others. If you are concerned about your infants sleep pattern talk your pediatrician. It might just turn out that the infant may actually be having some problem (especially if you have noted the increase in sleep recently).