Normal Hours of Sleep

Sleep patterns of babies vary greatly. For first few months a baby sleeps most of the time. An average 16 hours of sleep is needed for a baby but this is not a hard and fast rule. Read on.How many hours should my baby sleep in a day?According to a textbook formula, a newborn baby should sleep an average of sixteen and a half hours a day. If your baby sleeps for just 10 hours a day or for around 23 hours, there is no need for concern as long as your baby seems healthy in every way. The 16 and 1/2 hours of sleep is what is expected from an average baby. This average takes into account those babies that sleep for less than the prescribed time and those who sleep much more. It really depends on each individual babys degree of wakefulness. In this articleHow many hours should my baby sleep in a day?For how long should my baby nap in the day?Do bottle-fed babies sleep better than breastfed ones?How is the sleep pattern of newborn babies?When do babies being to sleep for long hours at a stretch?For how long should my baby nap in the day?Even after your baby begins to sleep through the night, she will require one or two naps during the day. By the time she is a year old, a set pattern for her naps will emerge. Some babies nap right after breakfast, mid-morning, after lunch or in the late afternoon. Their naps can be even as short as 20 minutes and as long as two to four hours. Napping depends on each babys individual needs.Do bottle-fed babies sleep better than breastfed ones?Breastfed newborns need sustenance more frequently than bottle-fed babies. Breastfed babies get hungry about every two hours which interferes with their ability to sleep through the night. Bottle-fed babies have a four hour feeding schedule. Thus, they will probably sleep through the night by about three months.How is the sleep pattern of newborn babies?Although, newborn babies require at least 16 and ½ hours of sleep, they may not sleep for long hours at a stretch. Throughout the day and night they may take short naps of two to four hours to complete their need of sleep. They are unable to sleep for the long hours at a stretch as a result of neurological developments taking place in them. However, this is temporary and babies outgrow this habit too.When do babies being to sleep for long hours at a stretch?As mentioned above, newborn babies will continue to get-up at the middle of night after the short naps of two to four hours. They will go back to sleep after their needs like feeding, nappy changing and comforting are fulfilled. This routine will continue even after the period of 7 to 9 weeks. Some babies may get up at night less frequently if diapers, nappy pads or nappy liners are used. However, you must consult your doctor to find out how diapers, nappy pads or nappy liners should be used in order to prevent diaper rashes and other discomforts caused to babies.Some babies begin to sleep for long hours at a stretch after 5 to 8 months. They may being to sleep for 6, 8 or even 12 hours at stretch. However, some baby may continue to take short naps and take their own time to develop the habit of sleeping through night. If you are not lucky enough your baby may even take a year to being sleeping through night. But there is no need to worry. As the time passes, things will fall in to place automatically.In the beginning it may seem overwhelming for you due to sleep deprivation but that will seem to be a negligible thing for you when you will hold your little angel in your arms. Enjoy this phase thoroughly as this time will never come back.