Why do Newborn babies sleep so much?

Have you wondered why so many newborn photo studio sessions are photographs of babies sleeping? They have the cutest little yawns, and the sleepy little faces.   If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering why your new bundle of joy sleeps so much. Understanding why newborns sleep for new parents, will help you understand their development needs and cycles to create the best and comfortable environment for them. 

The Science Behind Newborn Sleep So Much

When newborn babies are born, they can sleep anywhere from 14 to 17 hours a days.  Their sleep cycles can range between two to four hours.  All that snooze is critical for their early brain development and biological needs for growth.

The Sleep Cycle of Newborns

Opposite of adult sleep cycles, newborn babies cannot yet different between night and day. Their sleep cycles are spread out throughout the day in short bursts of naps.  In the early weeks and months, their sleep cycles go hand-in-hand with their natural survival instincts, which is primarily comprised of eating every two to three hours. 

As their bodies and stomachs begin to grow and mature, their sleep and wake cycles will tend to spread out into larger chunks of uninterrupted sleep and wake times.