Newborn sleep is undoubtedly one of the biggest concerns for new parents, who find themselves dealing with sleep patterns very different from those of adults.
In particular, REM sleep in newborns (REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, a phase where eyes move rapidly under the eyelids) plays a fundamental role in babies’ brain development, occupying a significantly larger portion of their time compared to adults.
How is newborn sleep structured?
Newborn sleep differs significantly from adult sleep, not only in total duration but also in its internal organization.
While adults need about seven hours of continuous sleep per night, newborns sleep up to 18 hours within a 24-hour period, distributed across several shorter sleep episodes.
This fragmentation is perfectly normal and functional for their development, but excessive fragmentation can also cause problems with parents’ sleep.
What are the sleep phases in the first year?
In the first three months of life, newborns essentially have two sleep states:
- REM sleep, also called “active sleep”
- and non-REM (NREM) sleep, called “quiet sleep”
During active sleep, you can observe rapid eye movements, muscle contractions, and variations in breathing rhythm.
During quiet sleep, however, the baby appears completely relaxed and motionless.
| Age | Total Sleep Hours | REM Sleep Percentage | Night Wakings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 months | 16-18 hours | 50% | 6-8 |
| 2-4 months | 14-16 hours | 40% | 4-6 |
| 4-6 months | 14-15 hours | 35% | 3-4 |
| 6-9 months | 13-14 hours | 30% | 2-3 |
| 9-12 months | 12-14 hours | 25% | 1-2 |
The importance of REM sleep in newborns
REM sleep plays a crucial role in newborn brain development.
During this phase, the brain is particularly active, processing information acquired during waking periods and consolidating neural connections.
It’s interesting to note that newborns spend about 50% of their sleep in REM phase, a percentage significantly higher than the (already good) 20% in adults.
How do sleep cycles evolve?
As the child grows, their sleep patterns gradually change.
Around three months of age, the four sleep phases typical of adults begin to develop:
- three stages of NREM sleep
- one REM sleep stage
However, sleep architecture will continue to evolve until age 5, when it will begin to mirror adult patterns much more closely (although we should remember that sleep changes constantly throughout our lives).
What distinguishes newborn REM sleep from adult REM sleep?
A distinctive characteristic of newborn REM sleep is its almost immediate appearance after falling asleep.
This is very different from adults, who normally only enter the REM phase after about 90 minutes from the start of sleep.
This difference is fundamental to understanding newborns’ frequent wakings and their need for shorter but more frequent sleep periods.
The baby’s circadian rhythm
Newborns aren’t born with a developed circadian rhythm (partly because they remain in “darkness” inside the womb), which explains why their sleep patterns may seem chaotic to parents.
The circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep-wake cycles based on day-night alternation, develops gradually in the first months of life.
During this period, it’s normal for newborns to wake up multiple times during the night.
Remember that physiological awakenings are a reality at all ages, but not all physiological awakenings are the same.
Impact on the family
The large amount of REM sleep in newborns and frequent wakings can represent a significant challenge for parents.
So significant that in recent years we have helped more than 15,000 families with their sleep in the first 3 years of their child’s life, because people often think that “it will work out over time,” when in fact small details can make an abysmal difference, just in that time.
Parents need to understand that these sleep patterns are normal and necessary for their child’s development, even if they can cause tiredness and frustration.
In any case, this doesn’t mean nothing can be done to sleep better or that one should resort to methods like Estivill’s that can cause damage.
How can I get back to sleeping?
While it’s not possible (nor advisable) to modify natural REM sleep patterns in newborns, there are some strategies parents can adopt to facilitate more regular sleep.
It’s fundamental to create a consistent routine and a favorable sleep environment while respecting the child’s natural rhythms.
During the REM phase, the newborn’s brain is particularly active in processing daily experiences and forming new neural connections.
This process is fundamental for learning and cognitive development.
The higher percentage of REM sleep in newborns reflects the intense brain activity necessary for their rapid development.
The Mamisleep Method
The key to best managing this phase is patience and awareness that, with time, the child’s sleep patterns will evolve more or less naturally toward rhythms more similar to those of adults.
Meanwhile, parents should focus on creating an environment and routines that support their baby’s sleep, always remembering that each newborn is unique and will follow their own development path.
To create the best possible sleep environment, without falling into errors that can make days and nights a nightmare, you can choose to give yourself a gift and participate in our Mamisleep program.
You’ll be happy you did.
SOURCES
Grigg-Damberger MM, Wolfe KM. Infants Sleep for Brain. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Nov 15;13(11):1233-1234. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.6786. PMID: 28992837; PMCID: PMC5656471.