Newborn Sleep: Knowing This Helps

The following information should ease your worries about newborn sleep.

Sleeping Newborn

Sleep and Development

Newborn sleep is precious to you and very beneficial to your baby. Research has shown that when your baby is sleeping, your baby is growing physically and developing mentally. During sleep, particularly during light sleep, your baby’s brain is growing in size, as well as developing in areas of memory and learning. Since your newborn’s brain will nearly double in size during the first year of life, as you would expect, your newborn will sleep a lot to accommodate that brain growth activity. Baby sleep is designed this way for your newborn’s healthy development.

Sleep and Safety

When your baby is sleeping, about half the time is spent in light sleep (REM) and the other half in deeper sleep (Non-REM). In light sleep your baby can easily be awakened by uncomfortable sensations such as hunger, cold, or lack of oxygen (perhaps from a stuffy nose). Waking in response to a need for food, warmth, or more oxygen is extremely important to maintain your newborn’s health.

Scientists believe that baby sleep, that is, lots of light sleep allowing your baby to wake easily for food, warmth, or oxygen, is designed this way for your baby’s survival.

Thank you! in advance Mother Nature, because it may be hard to remember to be thankful in the middle of a sleepless night.

Peace Of Mind and Gratitude

Understanding this perfect design of baby sleep … waking easily to ensure survival and healthy development … gives you peace of mind, and allows you to be thankful in the wee hours of the morning when your newborn is awake, yet again.

For you and yours,

D. Fravert, RN

August 20, 2012 | Categories: Baby Care Tips | Tags: baby sleep, D.FravertRN, Newborn Baby Manual, newborn REM sleep, newborn sleep | Leave a comment