Newborns do not have the same sleep patterns as adults. Regular sleep patterns develop as your baby gets older. Newborns usually sleep 16-18 hours a day. They sleep 2-3 hours, wake up, eat, and go to sleep again. They often seem to have no real pattern and no regard for whether it’s day or night. At about 6 weeks old, their sleep and wake pattern begins to become established. By 16 weeks, many will have settled into a regular schedule. When putting your baby to bed, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy infants sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). SIDS is a term used to describe the unexpected death of babies in their sleep for no known reason.
Six Steps to Reduce the Risk of SIDS
1. Put your baby on his back to sleep in an appropriate, safe infant crib with a firm mattress.
2. Do not put your baby to sleep in a bed shared with any other person (including yourself), on a couch, sofa, waterbed or any soft mattress.
3. Do not let the baby sleep on soft things like cushions, pillows, blankets, sheepskins, or foam pads. Keep your baby’s crib free of extra fluffy blankets and stuffed animals.
4. Smoking during pregnancy has been associated with a higher risk of SIDS. Do not smoke near your baby. Do not let others smoke near your baby.
5. Do not let your baby get too hot. Dress him in as much or as little as you would wear. Do not wrap your baby in lots of blankets or clothes. If your baby is sweating, has damp hair, or is developing a heat rash, he may be too hot.
6. If possible, breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding has been shown to be healthier for your baby and may reduce the risk of SIDS.
