Is It Normal for Newborns to Sleep Less Than 16 Hours at 15 Days Old?

Question

At 15 days old, a newborn has recently shown a decrease in sleep duration, waking up after about 2 hours of activity before falling asleep again. Is this sleep pattern within the normal range? Moreover, does insufficient sleep affect the newborn’s future intellectual development?

Answer

There is no direct correlation between intellectual development and the length of sleep. It is recommended that parents take their children to a pediatrician for a monthly check-up to monitor their growth and development. Newborns typically require more than 16 hours of sleep, but if a baby sleeps less at 15 days old, as long as they are well-fed, have normal bowel movements, and are in good spirits, with a total sleep duration of about 20 hours within 24 hours, there is no need to be overly concerned. It is important not to force a baby to sleep but rather to respect their natural sleep rhythm.