7 Reasons Why Baby Is Sleeping A Lot and What To Do About It

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A baby sleeping a lot may have ongoing growth spurts or developmental leaps. Also, a newborn might sleep more because they get accustomed to life outside the womb. Although managing a newborn’s sleep cycle is challenging in the initial days of life, it becomes easier as they recognize the difference between night and day (1). Sometimes, excessive sleeping can be due to underlying conditions.

Read on to know the amount of sleep needed for babies, how to develop a sleep schedule, and when to seek medical care for a baby sleeping a lot.

How Much Should Babies Sleep?

Typically, a baby should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep a day until four months and 12 to 15 hours until one year of age. However, an infant younger than seven months may sleep for up to 19 hours, depending on their need for rest. Nevertheless, since they have small stomachs, they usually wake up every two to three hours to be fed in the first couple of weeks (2).

The following chart displays the total hours of sleep, including naptime, suggested by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for children at different developmental stages.

Sleep recommendations for babies and children

Why Do Babies Sleep So Much?

Sleeping promotes brain development, neural network building, and behavioral formation, and since infanthood is a period of considerable growth, babies spend most of their time sleeping or slumbering

(3). However, some of the following factors could also cause newborns to sleep a lot:

• Growth spurts: An infant’s brain produces the human growth hormone (HGH) while asleep. Hence, if the baby takes frequent naps in the day and sleeps for longer at night, they may be having a growth spurt (4).

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• Illness: Babies who sleep continuously, show signs of drowsiness or sluggishness, such as yawning frequently even after sleeping for hours. If these symptoms are accompanied by a lack of interest in feeding, it could be due to an underlying illness (5).

• Low blood sugar: Listless or lethargic babies who sleep longer, lack energy, and are exhausted could have low blood sugar. They may also be inattentive to sounds or sights when awake and find it difficult to wake up for feedings.

• Jaundice: Due to high bilirubin levels during jaundice, babies may become more sleepy, tired, and less interested in eating (6).

• Infection/illness: Babies have lower immunity and are more prone to infections. If the baby has a fever, cough, or skin color changes or sleeps too much and feeds less, they may have contracted an infection (7).

• Insufficient milk: If your baby takes too little or too much time to latch on, they may be getting insufficient milk. This may make them lethargic and cause them to sleep for more than four hours at a stretch (8).

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• Vaccination: Vaccinations may cause mild side effects in babies, such as drowsiness and lethargy, which may last for a day or two (9).

Caution

Contact a medical expert immediately if your baby has difficulty waking up or seems confused or disoriented (15).

When Should You Wake Your Baby Up For Feeding?

Newborns who regularly sleep for longer than three to four hours should be awakened to be fed. Breastfed babies need to be woken up every two to three hours, whereas bottle-fed babies can sleep comfortably for three to four hours. Ensure the baby is fed at regular intervals until they have gained enough weight, usually a few weeks post-birth. After this, they can sleep for longer intervals at night (2).

What Should You Do If Your Baby Sleeps Too Much?

If you think your newborn is sleeping for unusually long hours, rule out any medical conditions by noting whether they feed eight to 12 times and have at least six wet and three dirty diapers a day. Additionally, observe breathing difficulties, low weight, fussiness when awake, pale skin, and vomiting after feeding. In such cases, consult your pediatrician.

However, if your baby appears lethargic and does not show other signs of distress, it could be because they are underfed or unable to have a deep and peaceful sleep. The following tips may help resolve this (10):

• When they are awake, feed them every one to two hours, and when they show signs of hunger. Crying might indicate delayed feeding.

• When the baby is being fed, make sure they are fully awake and not nodding off to sleep.

• A comfortable temperature aids sleep, so keep the room cool and dark—neither too cold nor warm.

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• Record the number of hours the baby has slept for a clearer picture of their sleeping pattern.

Safety tip

Never put your baby to sleep with an electric blanket, next to a heater or fire, or under direct sunshine (16).

How Do You Develop A Proper Sleep Schedule?

Here are some ways to inculcate good sleeping habits (11):

• Ensure the baby is well fed before going to sleep. Underfed babies may sleep excessively due to a lack of energy.

• Pay attention to baby’s sleep cues, such as rubbing eyes or yawning, to identify the optimal time for putting your child to bed.

• Place the child in bed when they are sleepy but not yet asleep. It helps them learn to fall asleep on their own.

• Ensure the baby sleeps on their back for sufficient oxygen supply and to aid digestion.

• Follow a nighttime routine to help the baby understand it is time to sleep. You may read a story or sing a lullaby to help your baby soothe and relax and feel safe.

• Create a sleep schedule and follow it regularly to help the baby fall into a sleep pattern.

• Give them a pacifier during bedtime to reduce restlessness and repeated awakening, but avoid letting them sleep with a bottle, which increases the risk of cavities and choking.

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Point to consider

Exposing the baby to a bright setting during the day and giving them a quiet, dark environment at night can help them understand the day and night rhythm and sleep longer (17).

When Should You See A Doctor?

Consider consulting your pediatrician if you notice the following issues with your baby (10) (11):

• Inability to adjust to a sleep pattern even after following good sleeping habits
• Loud snoring or long pauses while breathing when asleep
• Fever or other signs of illness
• Extreme fussiness or irritability that is difficult to soothe
• Fatigue

Infographic: Healthy Sleep Schedule For Babies

A happy baby is a well-rested baby! A good sleep routine is vital for your little one’s growth and development. This infographic highlights the significance of a healthy sleep schedule. Discover ways to create a calm environment, establish consistent routines, and encourage optimal sleep for your little bundle of joy.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Shutterstock

Illustration: Reasons Why Baby Is Sleeping A Lot and What To Do About It

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn important information about baby sleep patterns and how much sleep your baby should get.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Emily LauBachelor in Education

Emily Lau is a certified infant and pediatric sleep consultant with seven years of experience and helps little ones and their families get the sleep they need. She holds her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified teacher in general education and special education.

Read full bio of Emily Lau

• 
  Dr. Pierrette Mimi PoinsettMD Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett is a licensed pediatrician and a health advocate with 19 years of experience. She completed her doctor of medicine from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and is currently practicing as a medical consultant in California.
  
  Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett is a licensed pediatrician and a health advocate with 19 years of experience. She completed her doctor of medicine from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and is currently practicing as a medical consultant in California.

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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