What happens in Newborn Sleep?

Have you ever thought about what happens when your newborn sleeps?

Newborns Experience two main types of sleep: Active and Quiet. They spend about 50% of the time in each.

In Active Sleep the baby’s eyes may flutter, and they may make little, random movements. Their breathing can be irregular, and they may make little smiles. Active sleep is when your baby is processing all the new information from the day.

In Quiet Sleep your baby appears calm and still. Their breathing is regular and their body is relaxed. This is when your baby is growing and recharging.

Babies switch between these two states frequently. It’s only when they get to about 4 months that they start to sleep in cycles of 40-45mins. This is why there is typically a ‘4 month sleep regression’ as your baby’s sleep is changing.

Knowing your newborn has these two sleep states can help you recognise their sleep patterns better. Lots of parents rush in to baby when they hear a noise or movement thinking they are awake but they may just be switching states. Take a pause and see if they re-settle.