It's typical for babies to wake up often
The first year when your baby wakes up often can be tough, and just when you think you have things figured out, your baby’s sleep pattern changes again.
It might seem like everyone else’s babies sleep more than yours or you may worry that you are doing something wrong. Baby sleep patterns are different to adults and it’s not uncommon for them to wake up often.
Our past surveys show that almost two thirds (59%) of parents with babies under a year old say their baby sleeps for less than four hours at a stretch. And almost half (44%) of parents think their baby should be sleeping for longer than they do.
You might see products available or receive well-meaning advice to help you get your baby to sleep longer or deeper. This can actually be dangerous as it can affect your baby’s ability to wake up if they need to.
Here you can read what to expect during the first year or so, developed alongside Basis, and how to keep your baby as safe as possible while they sleep.
Feeling exhausted?
It’s common to be sleep deprived and exhausted as a new parent. You’re not alone. We’ve collected tips from other parents and carers to help you stay awake when you need to.
How much sleep do babies need?
Babies have small stomachs and will wake often throughout the night to feed. Baby sleep patterns will change over the first few years and are affected by things like teething, illness and growth spurts.
Every baby is different and sleep patterns vary greatly, so use this as a guide.
Newborn
Your baby may sleep for anywhere between eight to 18 hours a day, but only for two to three hours at a time.
3-6 months
Your baby may sleep for longer periods now as they need fewer night feeds. Some babies may sleep for eight hours or longer at night, but not all will.
Three month milestone: By three months, you may find it helpful to introduce a routine. Your baby is becoming more skilled at recognising cues and their sleep cycle extends to around 90 minutes.
6-12 months
Your baby may sleep for up to 12 hours at night but factors like teething, illness or hunger may mean they wake more often again. Around a third of babies will have never slept all night by 12 months.
Don’t compare your baby to others
All babies are different and their sleep patterns will change so try not to compare your baby to others as this isn’t meaningful. If you are really worried about your baby’s sleep, ask your midwife, health visitor or GP for support.
What if my baby sleeps for longer?
All babies are different and some sleep more than others. As long as your baby is feeding, putting on weight, and they’re not unwell, there is no need to wake them. Just make sure you follow our safer sleep advice.
Quiet and active sleep – exploring baby sleep cycles
Babies’ sleep cycles are different to adults’ and change over the first few years. There are different types of sleep. Broadly speaking, we have:
- Active sleep (also called Rapid Eye Movement, or REM), where you wake more easily.
- Quiet sleep, this is deeper sleep, where the brain is resting.
An adult’s sleep cycle is usually about 90 minutes. Adults fall quickly into quiet sleep which makes up about three quarters (75-80%) of their sleep cycle, then they move into active sleep which makes up about a quarter (20-25%) of sleep.
Babies’ sleep cycles are only one hour long and are opposite to adults. First they fall into active sleep where they can wake more easily, which lasts for about 20 minutes, then they move into the quiet sleep stage where they are sleeping more deeply.
This cycle of sleep happens both when your baby is having a daytime nap and during the night.
Because adult and baby sleep cycles are so different, it’s unlikely that your baby will be sleeping deeply at exactly the same time as you.
What is autonomic control and arousal?
The term “autonomic” refers to the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary or unconscious functions of the body, such as heart and respiratory rate (breathing).
“Arousal” is the ability to wake from sleep. It’s an important survival response that means you can wake up in a life-threatening situation. For a baby, this could mean waking up and moving their head if their face gets covered by a blanket, for example.
The autonomic nervous system during arousal is similar to ‘fight or flight’. It can allow the baby to take a deep breath or sigh, wake up or move if they need to.
What is the link between arousal and SIDS?
The exact cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is not known, and thankfully it is rare. However, it does happen, and studies have found that some infants who died from SIDS had fewer “spontaneous arousals” and immature sleep patterns compared to other babies. This suggests the arousal mechanisms – their ability to wake up – was impaired.
Studies have also shown that SIDS risks factors (such as sleeping babies on their front, having their heads covered by blankets, getting too hot, or sleeping in a seated position) can impair their ability to wake up (arousal).
Another research finding is that infants who died of SIDS sometimes have changes in the brain in areas linked to autonomic control of respiration (breathing), sleep and arousal.
Sleep your baby on their back
Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the risk of SIDS. Sleeping them this way means they can go into a deeper sleep, meaning their “arousal level” (their ability to wake up) decreases.
Sleep your baby on their back unless a medical professional has advised you otherwise.
Don’t encourage babies to sleep longer or deeper
Parents and carers often find themselves comparing how much their baby sleeps to other people’s and worrying that their baby isn’t sleeping enough. Sometimes people ask things like “Are they a good baby?” and “Are they sleeping through the night?” which can add to your worry.
There are a lot of products available which claim to help your baby sleep better, and well-meaning friends and family might give you advice to help your baby sleep longer. But this advice may be harmful.
Encouraging babies to sleep for longer and more deeply than is usual for their stage of development may affect their ability to wake up if something is wrong, such as if their mouth and nose become covered. This is a risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Keep following the safer sleep advice to help keep your baby as safer while they sleep. Read more about coping with sleep deprivation and how to keep your baby as safe as possible when you’re worried you can’t stay awake.
Frequently asked questions
It’s usual for babies to wake often as they have small stomachs and need to feed. Parents often wonder ‘how much sleep do babies need?’ and find themselves comparing their babies’ sleep patterns to others.
All babies are different and how much sleep they need will vary over time.
- A newborn baby may sleep for anywhere between eight to 18 hours a day, but only for two to three hours at a time.
- Around 3-6 months, your baby may sleep for longer periods now as they need fewer night feeds. Some babies may sleep for eight hours or longer at night, but not all will.
- At 6-12 months, your baby may sleep for up to 12 hours at night but factors like teething, illness or hunger may mean they wake more often again. Around a third of babies will have never slept all night by 12 months.
All babies are different and their sleep patterns will change over time. Illness, growth spurts, teething and hunger can all affect how much they sleep.
Some babies will sleep for up to 12 hours a night when they are six months to one year old, but they could start waking up more often again. Around a third of babies will have never slept all night by 12 months.
Try not to compare your baby’s sleep patterns to other babies and keep following the safer sleep advice.
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Remember
When you’re very tired and your baby keeps waking up, it’s easy to think they’re not sleeping enough and you might feel like you should try to get them to sleep more. Encouraging babies to sleep longer or deeper may be dangerous, as it can affect their ability to wake up if they need to. Keep following our safer sleep advice and don’t let well-meaning but harmful advice put you off.
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