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Why Do Babies Sleep So Much?

Submitted by Sierra Kaya

Parasol Leak free diapers

In an Insider write-up, it was revealed that a newborn sleeps an average of 16 to 17 hours per day. This rest is by no means consistent, as newborns will wake up every one to three hours to feed. And sleeping patterns will only stretch for longer periods as babies grow older. For parents, lack of sleep is a cause for concern— and for a good reason. During infancy, the amount of sleep can impact the baby's behavior, immune system, and mental development. All those indicate good health for babies, which we’ll discuss more thoroughly below.

In this article, we’ll answer queries on why babies sleep so much.

The importance of knowing the benchmark of babies’ sleep


Raising children requires keen observation and knowledge. This is increasingly important when it comes to sleep habits as they’ll impact infants’ waking lives. Generally, after achieving the standard 16 to 17 hours per day, six-month-old babies will sleep around 13 to 14 hours per day. By their first year, sleep will decrease to about eight to nine hours. Sleep schedules will vary from infant to infant. Observing behavioral changes and getting educated on children’s sleep is necessary to prevent sleep insufficiency.

This is why modern human development and family studies training champions studying healthy family development closely and teaches parenting skills. More importantly, it focuses on translating this knowledge into usable parenting strategies. For carers and parents, it’s crucial to identify the challenges that impact an infant’s sleep schedule. Sleep disorders and environmental influences contribute to a child’s sleep habits. But before parents can mitigate recognizable factors, we will first address why infants sleep a lot, especially during their first year.

 

The reason why babies sleep so much

Sleep during infancy is critical for both cognitive development and physical growth. As babies develop, growing pains become inevitable. Growth spurts can deplete energy in the body. To recover, babies will feed more, take frequent naps and even sleep for more extended periods. Aside from growth spurts, sleep can be the recourse to combat illnesses as infants are vulnerable to viruses. So if they suffer from colds or the flu, sleep can bolster their immune system against germs. Moreover, although vaccinations can enhance your infant’s immunity, the process can likewise take a toll on their body. To compensate for the subsequent exhaustion, they may feel sleepy and take more naps in the coming days.

If infants get inadequate sleep, this can generate negative outcomes. Sleep aids several brain functions, so insufficient sleep can impede neurocognitive tasks, emotions, and mood. Infants who lack sleep are more likely to display hyperactive behavior, an inability to focus, and a reduced attention span. Slow motor responses to stimuli and irritability can also manifest. Similarly, another system that's compromised by poor sleep is the cardiovascular system. Babies can incur excessive weight gain, hypertension, and even cardiac impairment. That said, sleep is essential for babies' physiological development.

Meanwhile, a report suggested that normal sleep development is linked to higher cognitive function. The same holds true for a baby’s temperament, as increased sleep boosts adaptability and low distractibility. When left unchecked, sleeping problems (caused by insufficient sleep) can lead to low socialization and adverse emotional reactions.

Tips on cultivating better sleep habits for babies

clean diapers

Infancy is a time of significant change. Although babies normally sleep a lot, unhealthy sleep habits can cause your babies to eat less and become lethargic. This is why parents should promote good sleep hygiene. For one, essentials that should be part of every parent’s checklist before their babies arrive are eco-friendly products. Natural baby wipes and chemical-free diapers ensure that the ingredients are safe on a newborn’s skin. Babies have significantly thinner skin than adults, so rashes can easily form and make sleep uncomfortable. To prevent unnecessary contact with toxins, it's best to utilize natural diapers, and even natural baby shampoo and body wash.

In terms of surroundings, a dark and quiet environment can prevent sleep disturbances. The post on Insider also states that babies won’t know the distinction between day and night in their first few months. As such, adjusting sleep routines should be based on an infant’s natural patterns. Ultimately, parents should gain perspective on their child’s habits to find ways to enhance sleep quality.

 

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To help us be our best, we’d appreciate hearing your feedback in a quick survey. And please be honest, we really do listen.

Potty trained, yes!

(And you thought it would never happen…)

Congrats on graduating from diapers to big kid undies. You (both) did it! Tag this milestone @parasolco and give other parents hope that their day, too, will come.

Not all baby wipes are created equal.

Baby wipes aren’t all priced the same...because they’re not made the same. Our new plant-based Clear+Pure™ baby wipes are dermatologist-certified and formulated with only the purest ingredients. They’re stronger to prevent tearing, more effective at getting baby really clean with fewer wipes...and they dispense one wipe at a time. At the end of a long day of changing diapers (and at the bottom of your baby’s bum), that is all clearly the best value we know.

Need to take a timeout?

One of the conveniences of a Parasol diaper subscription or membership is being able to hit Pause. Maybe you’re traveling, maybe someone just gifted you a month of diapers, whatever the reason, you can pause your diaper orders and come back when you’re ready. Just go to your account, select Edit Subscriptions and make your choice. And when you’re time out is up, we’ll always be here for you (that’s called unconditional love).

Before you swipe left on our wipes…

As you shop and compare wipes to find the one best for your baby, it’s important to do your homework because all baby wipes are not created equal. Our new plant-based Clear+Pure™ baby wipes are dermatologist-certified and formulated with only the purest ingredients.They’re stronger to prevent tearing, more effective at getting baby really clean with fewer wipes...and they dispense one wipe at a time. At the end of a long day of changing diapers (and at the bottom of your baby’s bum), that is all clearly the best value we know.

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To help us be our best, we’d appreciate hearing your feedback in a quick survey. And please be honest, we really do listen.

Potty trained, yes!

(And you thought it would never happen…)

Congrats on graduating from diapers pants to big kid undies. You (both) did it! Tag this milestone @parasolco and give other parents hope that their day, too, will come.

Upgrade to a membership and save (big time).

If you haven’t joined our new membership program, you’re missing out on our best value, biggest savings and free perks exclusively for members. You can upgrade your subscription to a membership just by ordering a 3-pack box of diapers. With each 3-pack box, you’ll receive 4 free packs of baby wipes, plus two diaper gift packs to share, one each for two friends. You’ll also save 20% off all future orders, enjoy lifetime savings, can apply extra promo discounts, and can cancel or change diaper delivery service at any time. Ready to upgrade?

Need to take a timeout?

One of the conveniences of a Parasol diaper subscription or membership is being able to hit Pause. Maybe you’re traveling, maybe someone just gifted you a month of diapers, whatever the reason, you can pause your diaper orders and come back when you’re ready. Just go to your account, select Edit Subscriptions and make your choice. And when you’re time out is up, we’ll always be here for you (that’s called unconditional love).

We can make the switch without a hitch.

Maybe it’s time to graduate to a new diaper size? Or to go from diapers to diaper pants? Or from diaper pants to wipes? Some customers think the only option they have to change products is to cancel a subscription and then start a new one (we can all agree that seems rather complicated). The good news is our Customer Service team can change your choice in the system, easy peasy. Just reach out to us at hello@parasolco.com (we never nap), and we’ll take it from there.

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To help us be our best, we’d appreciate hearing your feedback in a quick survey. And please be honest, we really do listen.

Potty trained, yes!

(And you thought it would never happen…)

Congrats on graduating from diapers to big kid undies. You (both) did it! Tag this milestone @parasolco and give other parents hope that their day, too, will come.

Not all baby lotions are created equal.

Baby lotions aren’t all priced the same...because they’re not made the same.

Need to take a timeout?

One of the conveniences of a Parasol lotion subscription or membership is being able to hit Pause. Maybe you’re traveling, maybe someone just gifted you a month of lotion, whatever the reason, you can pause your lotion orders and come back when you’re ready. Just go to your account, select Edit Subscriptions and make your choice. And when you’re time out is up, we’ll always be here for you (that’s called unconditional love).

Before you swipe left on our lotion…

As you shop and compare lotion to find the one best for your baby, it’s important to do your homework because all baby lotion are not created equal.

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Just for you, 15% off your next order.

We’re sorry that your experience with our shampoo - body wash didn’t meet your expectations and hope you’ll give them another try to see why so many parents are devoted Parasol fans. As a thank you, enter the Discount Code 15OFFCART to receive 15% off a one-time entire cart purchase (no product limits, no expiration date).

To help us be our best, we’d appreciate hearing your feedback in a quick survey. And please be honest, we really do listen.

Potty trained, yes!

(And you thought it would never happen…)

Congrats on graduating from diapers to big kid undies. You (both) did it! Tag this milestone @parasolco and give other parents hope that their day, too, will come.

Not all baby shampoo - body wash are created equal.

Baby shampoo - body wash aren’t all priced the same...because they’re not made the same.

Need to take a timeout?

One of the conveniences of a Parasol lotion subscription or membership is being able to hit Pause. Maybe you’re traveling, maybe someone just gifted you a month of lotion, whatever the reason, you can pause your shampoo - body wash orders and come back when you’re ready. Just go to your account, select Edit Subscriptions and make your choice. And when you’re time out is up, we’ll always be here for you (that’s called unconditional love).

Before you swipe left on our shampoo - body wash…

As you shop and compare shampoo - body wash to find the one best for your baby, it’s important to do your homework because all baby shampoo - body wash are not created equal.

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