Let's learn about your newborn baby's sleep. (Newborn Sleep)

Hello! Your family is probably full of joy with the arrival of a new baby, a baby girl or a baby boy. With all that joy, it's normal for new parents to have a lot of questions. Especially about their little one's sleep. 'Why is he sleeping so much?' 'Why isn't he sleeping well at night?' 'What should I do?' You're probably wondering these things too. So today, let's talk about your newborn's sleep in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

What is the baby's sleep pattern like? That is, how does their 'body clock' work?

Newborn babies are like people in a different world. They don't have a big sense of day and night like we do. Their internal clock, what we call the ``biological clock,'' isn't set up yet. That's why they fall asleep at any time of the day, maybe when you're working the hardest, or in the middle of the night, without any problem, and wake up again in a little while.

The main reason for this is their tiny stomach. Think about it, is a baby's stomach like a big one? Not at all. It's very small. So the milk they drink, whether it's the nutritious breast milk their mother gives them or the formula the doctor prescribes, isn't enough to keep them full for long. That's why after a few hours, they wake up again saying, 'I'm hungry!' It doesn't matter to them whether it's day or night. As soon as they get the signal that they're hungry, they let us know.

Imagine, how would you cope if you didn't get food when you were really hungry? Even small babies are like that. They can't speak with words yet. So their only way of communicating is by crying. When they are hungry, when their diaper is wet, when they feel uncomfortable, they tell us by crying. So waking up frequently and asking for food is very normal at this time.

How much sleep does a baby need per day? How is sleep important for their development?

Now let's see how much sleep these little guys need per day. There are internationally recognized institutions that conduct research on this. For example, according to the National Sleep Foundation in the United States, a newborn baby – that is, a baby within the first three months of life – needs to sleep for an average of 14 to 17 hours per day, that is, within 24 hours. But remember, not all babies are the same. Some little heroes can sleep for 18 or 19 hours per day! That's completely normal, don't worry about it.

Why do babies need so much sleep? Simply put, sleep is essential for their development. It's when they sleep that their brains develop, their bodies grow new cells, and their immune systems strengthen. Just like we ``charge'' a phone, when babies sleep, their little bodies and brains ``charge'' and get ready for the next day. So if your baby is sleeping a lot, it could be a sign that they're growing well.

Let's create a safe, comfortable place for the baby to sleep?

For a baby to sleep well, it's important to create a safe, comfortable environment for him. Let's see what we can do to help.

• Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back (stomach). This is very important to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• The mattress for your baby to sleep on should be firm. A mattress that is too soft or spongy is not good.
• Do not place unnecessary items in the crib or bed where your baby sleeps. This includes toys, large pillows, and piles of blankets. These can cause suffocation in the baby.
• Keep the room temperature at a comfortable level for the baby. Neither too hot nor too cold is good.
• Protect your baby completely from cigarette smoke. Avoid smoking in your baby's room or at home.

By taking care of these little things, you can create a comfortable and safe sleeping environment for your baby.

Why is the baby always waking up? How should I feed him? Let's also look at weight gain?

As we've discussed before, it's normal for newborns to wake up every few hours to eat. Breastfed babies usually wake up every 2 to 3 hours. This is because breast milk is the most easily digestible and nutritious food for babies. It's digested quickly, so babies get hungry quickly. Formula-fed babies wake up a little more often, about every 3 to 4 hours. This is because formula takes a little longer to digest.

Now, a big question that many mothers and fathers have here is, 'Oh, my baby is sleeping well, do I have to wake him up to feed him? Isn't that a sin?' Yes, you definitely have to do that in the early stages. Especially until the baby is gaining weight well and at the right rate – which is usually within the first few weeks after birth – you should wake him up every 3 to 4 hours to feed him. After your family health worker or the doctor who is taking care of the baby says that the baby is gaining weight well, it's okay for the baby to sleep a little longer at night, maybe 4-5 hours. Then you can breathe a little, get some sleep, right?

Also, see if the baby is waking up because he is hungry or just fussing. Sometimes babies will fuss a little and make a little noise before going back to sleep. In such cases, check for a while before getting upset and picking him up. But if he is crying because he is hungry, you should definitely give him milk.

Imagine this scenario. There is a young father named Supun in our neighborhood. His wife had a baby by Caesarean section. So Supun had to help out more at night with the baby. He said, 'In the early days, I didn't sleep well either. The baby would wake up every two hours. I set an alarm and woke the baby up and fed him, because the midwife said that I should do that until he gained weight.' That kind of dedication is needed at this time.

This is a challenge for parents, but how do we face it?

The first few months of life with a newborn, especially the first 6-8 weeks, are not just a little difficult, but a very challenging time for both parents. We all have to accept that. You have to get up several times during the night to take care of the baby, feed him, change his nappy, and maybe just to soothe a crying baby. This completely disrupts your sleep. You may not even have time to sleep properly during the day. This is not only physically tiring, but also mentally tiring.

But remember, you are not alone in this experience. Almost every new parent in the world faces this challenge. Every baby's sleep pattern is different. Some babies reach what we call 'sleeping through the night' around 2 or 3 months old. When we say 'sleeping through the night', it means sleeping for about 5 or 6 hours at a time. But for some babies, this may take a few more months. So if your friend's baby is sleeping through the night, don't worry about it or compare yourself to others. The most important thing is that your baby is healthy, happy, and well.

This tiring time won't last forever. As your baby grows, his sleep pattern will gradually stabilize. One day, you'll be able to sleep a little more freely too!

During this time, it is very important for both of you, that is, mom and dad, to help each other. Take turns getting up at night, and take a nap during the day when the baby is sleeping. If possible, ask other family members for help. There is no shame in that. Only if you are well can you take good care of the baby.

So what did we learn from this? The most important things to remember! (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, from what we've talked about today, let's go over some things you definitely need to remember to help you be aware of your baby's sleep. These are the things you should 'keep in mind'!

• Newborn babies don't really have a sense of day or night. Their biological clock takes a while to develop, so they can sleep and wake up at any time of the day.
• Babies have very small stomachs. So they need milk frequently, little by little. That's why they wake up every few hours.
• On average, a newborn baby (0-3 months) needs 14-17 hours of sleep a day. Some babies can sleep even more, up to 18-19 hours, and that's normal.
• Until the baby gains weight properly and healthily, you should wake him up every 3-4 hours to feed him. Once the doctor or midwife says that there is no problem with the weight, you can let him sleep a little longer at night.
• Breastfed babies get hungry and ask for food a little sooner (every 2-3 hours), while formula-fed babies ask for food a little later (every 3-4 hours).
• The place where your baby sleeps should be safe. Make him sleep on his back, use a firm mattress, and don't put unnecessary things in the crib.
• Parents have to work a little harder and sleep less during this time. But this is temporary. As the baby grows up, everything will gradually get better. Help each other.
• Every baby is different, every baby is special. Don't worry about comparing your baby's sleep pattern to other babies.

If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to talk to your baby's pediatrician or your local Family Health Midwife. They will be happy to give you the best advice and help you ease your worries.

Newborns, Baby Sleep, Infant Sleep, Breastfeeding, Formula, Parenting Challenges, Safe Sleep