Why is sleep important for my baby?

Sleep is very important for your baby's growth and development. It helps form and improve their:

• attention span
• mood
• language skills
• learning skills
• motor skills

How do baby sleep patterns differ from adult sleep patterns?

How your baby sleeps and the structure of their sleep is very different from adult sleep.

A sleep cycle is the pattern your body goes through during sleep, moving between light sleep, deep sleep and dreaming. Your newborn's sleep cycle is usually about 45 to 60 minutes. This means they wake up often. From around 5 years of age your child's sleep cycle will usually be about 90 minutes, like an adult's sleep cycle.

During the first 12 weeks of your baby's life, there will be many changes in your baby's sleep patterns.

When you sleep, your body switches between 2 different kinds of sleep:

1. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep — also called 'active' or 'light' sleep
2. Non-REM sleep (NREM) — also called 'deep' or 'quiet' sleep

REM sleep is important for your baby's brain development. You have dreams during REM sleep.

Adults and adolescents tend to have more NREM sleep, where they lie still and breathe deeply. Meanwhile, babies are naturally lighter sleepers. They will spend more of their sleeping time in REM sleep.

As your baby develops, they have less REM sleep and more NREM sleep.

In REM sleep, babies may:

• breathe shallowly
• twitch their arms and legs
• flutter their eyes under their eyelids
• make noises

Your newborn's sleep patterns are still developing. In the early weeks, they do not have fully developed REM and NREM sleep cycles. Their sleep is divided into active sleep, which is similar to REM sleep, and quiet sleep, which is similar to NREM sleep.

What is a normal sleep pattern for my baby?

All babies are different and there is a wide range of what is considered a normal sleep pattern. Try not to compare your baby's sleeping patterns with other babies.

As your baby develops during their first year, you will notice many changes in how they sleep. Over time, their sleeping patterns will become more regular.

Your newborn baby's sleep is affected by how hungry or full they are, not by light or darkness. They wake up when they are hungry and want to be fed. At around 4 to 6 weeks old, your baby will start to develop a circadian rhythm (body's internal clock). They will begin to respond more to light and dark changes. Their small tummies, fast brain growth and high energy needs mean they need to feed often, day and night. Some babies will wake up more often than others.

Below is a general guide to what you may expect with your baby's sleep during their first year. Do not worry if your baby's sleep is different.

Birth to 3 months

Development changes	your baby may wake after 1 to 2 sleep cycles, so every 1 to 3 hours at 8 weeks old, your baby might start sleeping for longer periods
Average total sleep in 24 hours	11 to 19 hours
Daytime sleep Night-time sleep	Newborns sleep and wake often throughout the day and night

3 to 6 months

Development changes	your baby can stay awake longer as they grow your baby is awake more during the day and sleeps more at night it is normal for your baby to wake up at night for feeds
Average total sleep in 24 hours	12 to 15 hours
Daytime sleep	2 to 3 naps a day Each nap is for up to 2 hours
Night-time sleep	Can sleep straight for up to 6 to 8 hours at night

6 to 12 months

Development changes	your baby's awake and sleep patterns are more predictable many babies still wake up at night and need help to go back to sleep physical, emotional and social development may change your baby's sleep patterns they may wake up more at night
Average total sleep in 24 hours	11 to 16 hours
Daytime sleep	2 to 4 hours of naps
Night-time sleep	10 to 14 hours

After 12 months

Development changes	waking up at night is common your toddler may start having nightmares during active sleep your toddler may need support to return to sleep
Average total sleep in 24 hours	11 to 14 hours
Daytime sleep	1 nap for 1 to 2 hours
Night-time sleep	10 to 12 hours

How can I make sure my baby is getting enough sleep?

By creating regular daytime and bedtime routines, you can help your baby get enough sleep. Sleep routines are also known as sleep hygiene.

You can help your newborn settle by:

• making a soft 'shh' sound and gently patting, rocking or stroking your baby
• singing to your baby
• wrapping (swaddling) your baby safely

Learn more about good sleep habits for infants and children.

You can learn more about safe sleeping for babies.

What should I do if I am worried about my baby's sleep?

If you are worried about your baby's sleep, you can visit your baby's doctor, midwife or maternal child health nurse.

Your health professional will ask you questions about their sleep habits and routines. They may also ask you to keep a sleep diary to track your baby's sleep patterns.

To find a maternal, child and family health service near you, use the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Service Finder tool.

How can I manage my sleep with my young baby?

You can manage your sleep with a newborn by:

• taking naps during the day when your baby is sleeping
• sharing overnight feeds with your partner or another support person
• accepting offers of help from family or friends to manage household chores and caring for other children

Having a baby is a major life change. When you have a very young baby, your sleep will be disrupted. This can be overwhelming and stressful. Remember, you do not have to go through this alone. Accept help from those around you.

If you are struggling to cope, reach out to your doctor, midwife or maternal child health nurse. They can connect you with support and resources that can help.

Resources and support

• HealthyWA has more information about your baby's sleep from birth to 3 months of age.
• Red Nose Australia has a collection of articles all about safe sleeping for your baby.
• Learn more about your baby's sleep with the Parenting SA guide to sleep in the first year.

Languages other than English

• NSW Government's webpage 'Getting your baby to sleep' has been translated into many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Baby Coming You Ready? supports the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander parents-to-be and new parents.