New parents are often excited at the thought of their newborn sleeping. After all, it is their time to rest. While sleeping is necessary for people of all ages, there can be such a thing as too much sleep.

Sleeping itself is not necessarily the problem. A baby getting too much sleep could lead to other issues. It could also be the symptom of unknown problems.

How Much Sleep Are Newborns Supposed to Get?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborn babies should receive 14 to 17 hours of sleep per day. Some newborns receive 18 to 19, which is also fine. Newborn babies do not sleep all at once. They sleep for a few hours before waking up and going back to sleep again.

Unlike adults and older children, newborn babies do not have an internal clock that helps their bodies to create a sleep schedule. Their bodies do not create a schedule for weeks, sometimes months, after being born.

Babies who are sick, have an infection or have other illnesses usually sleep more than usual. If you believe this could be the cause behind your newborn sleeping too much, you should immediately contact your paediatrician.

What Happens If a Baby Sleeps Too Much?

A baby getting a little more than the recommended amount of sleep usually isn’t a cause for concern. A parent’s concern should come in if their newborn is having trouble getting back to their birth weight and/or is gradually losing weight.

Normally, if a baby is sleeping too much, they could be missing out on getting proper nutrition. Because of their tiny-sized stomachs, newborn babies should be fed frequently.

Breastfed newborns should go no more than 2 to 4 hours without feeding. Formula-fed newborns should go no more than 3 to 4 hours without feeding.

How to Properly Wake Your Baby Up

Sometimes, waking your baby up is the only thing you can do to make sure they are not oversleeping and missing meals. Here are a few things you can do:

• Wake your baby up during REM sleep. This is the light phase of sleeping when the baby will be more likely to accept food. When they’re in REM sleep you can observe:
  • Fluttering eyes
  • Clenched fists
  • Grins
  • Body movements
• Straighten them out. Putting your newborn in a posture that will encourage wakefulness instead of bonding will help them to fully wake up and accept food.
• Use a wet washcloth to gently wipe their face. Like adults, washing your baby’s face can help them to fully wake up and be ready to feed.