Understanding Baby Sleep Patterns

Baby sleep looks different from adult sleep. Knowing what to expect can help lower your stress levels during those early months.

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At a glance

Active (REM) sleep: a baby may twitch, grunt, breathe unevenly, or flutter their eyelids. About 60% of a baby's sleep is active sleep, which supports brain development.

Quiet (non-REM) sleep: a baby lies still and breathes deeply.

Sleep cycles: a full cycle lasts roughly 40 to 60 minutes, much shorter than an adult's 90-minute or so cycle. Babies often wake briefly between cycles.

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Why babies wake at night

There are many reasons a baby wakes, and sometimes you won't be able to pinpoint one. Common reasons include:

• Small stomachs that need frequent refilling.
• No sense of day vs. night in the early weeks.
• Being too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable.
• Developmental changes like learning to roll, which can temporarily increase waking.
• Illness or discomfort.

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Circadian rhythm development

Newborns are not born knowing the difference between day and night. Their internal body clock (circadian rhythm) develops gradually over the first few months.

Around 4 to 6 weeks, babies begin responding to light and dark cues. By about 10 to 12 weeks, the hormone melatonin starts regulating on its own (before that, breastfed babies receive small amounts of melatonin through milk).

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Sleeping through the night

Frequent waking for feeds and comfort is common, especially in the first 6 months.

"Sleeping through the night" for a baby typically means a stretch of about 5 to 6 hours, not the 8 or more hours adults expect.

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Every baby is unique

Sleep needs vary widely. Some babies sleep more, others less. Their comfort needs, sense of security, and sensory preferences are all different too.

Comparing one baby to another may not be helpful. A baby's mood during awake time is often the best indicator of whether they are getting enough rest.

Sources: Australian Breastfeeding Association, Tresillian, Pregnancy Birth and Baby