Some mothers may worry whether their babies are getting enough, too much, or too little sleep. However, it is normal for babies to sleep more. This is because through sleep, they can grow and develop faster. This activity also acts as a support for their physical and mental health aspects.

Actually, a baby's sleep pattern will vary, so it cannot be equated from one to another. However, generally, it depends on how often they need to breastfeed. Babies also need more time to develop their circadian rhythm, which will tell them when to wake up and when to sleep.

Baby Sleep Duration

In general, the duration in the first year of their life is between 11 to 17 hours a day (for example, 9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night). This total sleep time will be divided into small groups throughout the day and night. By the time they reach 6 months, usually, their nighttime sleep duration will be longer and uninterrupted because they need to breastfeed.

Newborn babies will have shorter sleep and awake times. This is because they quickly become hungry due to their small stomachs, so they need to breastfeed more often. They may even wake up just to breastfeed and then fall asleep again. A baby's sleep duration may be less or more when they are sick or experiencing disruptions to their daily routines.

Usually, babies under 6 months old will wake up every 3 to 4 hours due to hunger, so sometimes mothers don't need to worry about whether the little one has received enough breast milk or not. However, consult a pediatrician to discuss what is right for them because it will depend on their size, growth, as well as the frequency of breastfeeding, urination, and defecation.

Help Baby Sleep Soundly and Quality

Babies need sleep not only enough but also of good quality, besides their mothers also need rest. Babies should sleep in a cot or in a separate place from their parents. The goal is to avoid the risk of the baby suffocating, choking, and sudden infant death syndrome. Here are some tips for establishing your little one's sleep routine:

• Provide baby sleep duration for 20 to 30 minutes
• Give a meal at the beginning of the baby's routine so that he does not sleep depending on food for sleep
• Let daytime sleep be part of his daily routine, but don't let it last too long
• Familiarize him with the body's internal clock by placing him in a bright place during the day and a dark place at night
• Set the room temperature to be cool around 20-22 degrees Celsius
• Pay attention when the little one wakes up by holding him

So, the normal baby sleep duration is generally around 11-17 hours. But again, it needs to be remembered that this duration will vary for each baby. They need sleep for the process of growth and development. How about it, Ladies? Can you share your first experience as a mother?

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