Question
A newborn who is half a month old spends most of the day sleeping. The book says that newborns should have about 16 to 17 hours of deep sleep, but my son doesn’t spend more than 2 hours awake playing each day; he sleeps the rest of the time. Is this normal? Should I limit his sleep time?
Answer
Newborns typically spend around 18 to 22 hours in deep sleep each day; if there are no other abnormalities, your baby is healthy. Newborns, except for feeding times, are mostly in a deep sleep state, and the quality and quantity of deep sleep can affect their growth and development during this period. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your baby has enough deep sleep. When in deep sleep, the baby should not be hungry, and it’s best to have them use the bathroom before bedtime. Keep the bedroom quiet, clean, and well-ventilated, but avoid drafts.