Newborn babies usually sleep for quite long periods. Their sleep patterns can vary from 16 to 22 hours a day, gradually decreasing as they grow.
Some infants sleep so much in their first few weeks that it might seem that the only time thy aren't sleeping is when they are eating!
While babies sleep, they often move around a lot, stretching their arms and legs, making funny faces and grunting.
As they grow, you will notice that they sleep for longer periods at a time and will also stay awake for longer periods at a time.
What if baby's sick?
Lethargy or a lack of alertness might present itself in newborn babies in a number of ways such as a weak cry, poor sucking capability, poor appetite, failure to wake up for feeding, arms and legs that appear floppy, or a lack of spontaneous movement.
Infants who are sick might have periods of lethargy followed by periods of extreme irritability, or vice versa. Jaundice is often a cause of lethargy and sleepiness in young babies.
Remember, though, that each baby is as different and as unique as fingerprints, and they will all react differently to certain situations. If you are worried about your baby's sleeping patterns, speak to a healthcare practioner.
- Let sleeping babies lie...
Temperament and personality will play a role in your baby's sleep pattern, and in how he reacts to waking up. Some babies are alert and vigorous from the moment they open their eyes, while others take a little longer to wake up fully.
On average, an infant's sleep cycle is about four hours. Your child will go through different types of sleep in any one cycle, ranging from drowsy to 'busy' sleep and then quiet sleep.
Unless you have been advised otherwise by your healthcare worker, don't wake baby up to feed him or her. Let them wake up when they're ready to eat.