Newborn sleep?

[mcrosth2081]

What is the average amount of sleep a newborn should get?

[MrsCheeks]

there is no average. My eldest child slept 4 to 5 hours at a time for the first few weeks and was settled into a 7 hr stretch at night by 6 weeks. My 2nd child slept in a similar pattern from day one also, except he HAD to have a nap at 10am every day and would be screaming if he was not in his cot by 10.15. This was regardless of what time he woke up in the morning and if he didnt wake until gone 9am he was not up for long pmsl. Number 3 baby was born, had a bottle, and by the time he was 1hr old had gone to sleep whereupon he slept for 12hrs!! He slept in 5 to 7 hr stretches from the day he was born and by the time he was 3 months old was sleeping an 8+hr stretch at night. On the other hand my next door neightbour had a baby who slept for 1 hr at a time from birth until 3yrs of age!!!

[casdac]

It is typical for newborns to sleep 16-20 hrs a day. Doctors suggest that you wake them to feed every three hours during the day hours and let them sleep on through the night.

[Cuddles]

I agree there is not right amount of sleep. I had one child who I had to wake up to feed (or she would sleep for 10 hours) and another who woke every 2 hours and stayed awake for ages. They are both now teenagers and both healthy and happy. As long as they are healthy and gaining weight they are fine. It's only when you are exhausted with a child that hardly sleeps you should seek help. Good luck.

[MrsCheeks]

Casdac .. I have NEVER woken any of my children to feed them. I was told by 3 different Paediatricians and also HV's that it is very detrimental to both yourself and the baby to wake them UNLESS the baby is jaundiced in which case you do have to feed them during the daytime every 4 hrs. Lets face it, if you were nejoying a nice kip would YOU like someone to wake you to feed you regardless if you were hungry or not?

[Hammer]

Don't worry about it. Whatever sleep your baby has is probably enough. If you are tired too, make sure you rest when the baby does. The washing up can wait!!!