Some parents of newborns wonder if they will ever get a full night’s rest ever again, but on the other hand, other parents are lucky enough to have a baby who loves to sleep. If your baby seems to sleep all the time, then it may beg the question of whether a newborn can sleep too much

Can newborns sleep too much?

The good news is babies can’t really sleep too much. Most newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, so if they are not crying or eating, they’re sleeping. While babies sleep a lot, they do not usually sleep in one long stretch. Instead, they sleep in chunks that last 30 minutes to a few hours. These chunks should be distributed fairly evenly between day and night for the first month, but eventually, your baby’s circadian rhythm will set in, and they will start sleeping longer at night than they do during the day.

For the most part, it’s best to allow your baby to sleep as much as they need to. However, if your newborn is sleeping a lot, is difficult to wake, and is sluggish when awake, it’s important to speak with your pediatrician. Many infections or genetic disorders can present like this in the first few weeks of your baby’s life.

Another reason to be concerned is if your baby is not gaining the weight they need to gain. If your baby is sleeping for long hours and not gaining weight steadily, your pediatrician may suggest you wake your baby up for regular feedings.

If you’re lucky enough to have a baby who loves to sleep, it can seem like a blessing, but it may have you wondering if your baby can sleep too much. Generally speaking, your baby cannot get too much sleep, but if it’s hard to rouse your baby from a nap or they seem sluggish even though they’re sleeping plenty, then it’s best to speak with your pediatrician.