Facts You Didn't Know
5 Surprising Facts About Baby Sleep You Didn’t Know
From sleep cycles to safety tips, here are five facts to help you better understand how your baby sleeps
- Hidabroot
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Sleep is one of the biggest concerns for new parents, especially during the first few months. The constant waking, sleepless nights, and trying to figure out when your baby will finally sleep better can be exhausting. But behind the daily challenges, there are some fascinating facts about baby sleep that might surprise you and even help. Here are five things to know.
1. Babies Sleep More Than It Seems
Even though your baby may wake up often, they actually sleep quite a bit. At two to three months old, babies sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day. It just happens in short chunks usually 2 to 4 hours at a time. As they grow, they begin sleeping for longer stretches, especially at night. By around six months, many babies start developing a more regular sleep pattern.
2. Baby Sleep Cycles Are Shorter
Adults go through a sleep cycle that lasts about 90 minutes. Babies, on the other hand, have much shorter sleep cycles, about 50 minutes. That’s one reason they wake up so often. They naturally wake at the end of each cycle. It’s completely normal and slowly changes as they get older.
3. Sleep Helps Their Brain Grow
Sleep isn’t just for rest, it’s also when babies’ brains grow and develop. During sleep, especially during the REM stage, a baby’s brain works hard to process everything they’ve experienced. It’s also busy building connections that help with learning, memory, and growth.
4. Babies Don’t Know Day From Night
In the beginning, babies don’t have an internal clock like adults do. They sleep and wake based on when they’re hungry or uncomfortable, not on whether it’s day or night. It takes a few months for their body to learn the difference. You can help by making nights quiet and calm, and days a bit more active and light.
5. Back Sleeping Keeps Babies Safer
One of the most important safety tips for baby sleep is to always place your baby on their back to sleep. This simple step lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Use a firm mattress with no soft pillows, blankets, or stuffed
