Question
After half a month of birth, my child seems to be sleeping most of the time, with only about 2 hours of awake playtime each day. Is this normal? How should I handle it?
Answer
Newborns spend about 18 to 22 hours a day in a state of deep sleep, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. Their sleep patterns are quite different from those of adults, and they need long periods of sleep to aid in the development of their bodies and nervous systems. If your child appears healthy and has no other abnormalities outside of sleep time, then their sleep pattern is normal. While ensuring your baby gets enough sleep, pay attention to the following points:
- Make sure your baby is not hungry before bedtime.
- Have your baby defecate before sleep to reduce the frequency of waking up at night.
- Create a quiet, clean, and well-ventilated sleep environment, but be careful to avoid drafts. In summary, your baby’s current sleep pattern is normal and does not require special intervention. As your baby grows, their sleep pattern will gradually change, and they will have more awake time.