Newborn babies can be expected to sleep most of the time including through the day. They will awaken when they get hungry – and be awake to be bathed and tended to, but for the most part newborns do sleep a lot. Naturally, as the baby gets a little older he or she will be awake for longer periods of time until at about four to six months you can expect them to be mainly awake for two hours and asleep for two hours alternately throughout the day.
Of course, every baby is different and those who have trouble with gas or colic may be expected to be more wakeful due to their discomfort. Also, some babies just seem to be more wakeful and alert than others, but this does not mean they should miss their day sleeps.
It is important for babies to sleep in the day so that they do not get overtired. Putting baby down for his nap whether he seems tired or not will help to establish a routine that will benefit both mother and baby. If you’ve been up through the night a lot, this time can be used to take a short nap yourself and so catch up on missed sleep. It can also be a time when you can devote your whole attention to other siblings so they do not feel jealous of baby.
If you leave his nap until he is really tired and cranky, baby will often take twice as long to settle down to sleep. Symptoms of tiredness include rubbing the eyes, flailing the arms, inattention to stimulation and general fussiness. When baby is overtired he will usually show it by screaming and a refusal to be put down or comforted. This should be avoided if at all possible.
Day naps should be taken in the nursery where it is quiet and baby is less likely to be disturbed. However, if baby falls asleep in the pram or bouncinette and picking up may disturb him, it is perfectly fine to let him sleep where he is. But if older siblings are likely to waken him, then it’s best to place baby in another room.
Placing a tired baby into his cot to sleep during the day will also get him used to being there to sleep in the night time. He will soon get to know that the cot is a safe place for him to sleep and will enjoy being put down for his nap. If he seems to fuss when put down, you may like to try hanging a musical mobile somewhere nearby so that he can watch it and listen as he drifts of to sleep. But for safety always ensure that the mobile – and any string hanging from it – is well out of reach.
Once a sleeping pattern is established, try and keep to it as much as possible. Being organised in this respect will not only help you to cope, but help to keep baby happy.