Baby Sleep, New Mum Life, Things Google Told Me
Baby Sleep, New Mum Life, Things Google Told Me
Why Is My Baby Sleeping So Much?
Why Is My Baby Sleeping So Much?
Newborns sleep up to 17 hours a day and that is completely normal. Here is what healthy newborn sleep looks like and when it is worth paying attention.
Newborns sleep up to 17 hours a day and that is completely normal. Here is what healthy newborn sleep looks like and when it is worth paying attention.
Sound Familiar
Sound Familiar
Today, every time my baby falls asleep, instead of reaching for my phone to Google something I don't need to Google, I'm going to take a slow breath, look at this time little human I made, and remind myself: they're sleeping because they're growing. They are safe, and I'm doing a brilliant job. That's it. That's the whole challenged
Today, every time my baby falls asleep, instead of reaching for my phone to Google something I don't need to Google, I'm going to take a slow breath, look at this time little human I made, and remind myself: they're sleeping because they're growing. They are safe, and I'm doing a brilliant job. That's it. That's the whole challenged
Today, every time my baby falls asleep, instead of reaching for my phone to Google something I don't need to Google, I'm going to take a slow breath, look at this time little human I made, and remind myself: they're sleeping because they're growing. They are safe, and I'm doing a brilliant job. That's it. That's the whole challenged
Josh.E
Josh.E
What is My Baby Actually Doing When They Sleep ?
I'm glad I asked. Here is the full itinerary of a typical baby nap, so I can stop feeling like I need to be doing more:
Minutes 1–5: Light sleep. I will not move them. I will not put them down. I will not so much as sneeze.
Minutes 5–20: Deeper sleep begins. The twitching starts. Completely normal. They are processing the seventeen things they discovered today — that light exists, that my face exists, that the ceiling is fascinating.
Minutes 20–45: Deep sleep. Brain development happening. Growth hormones releasing. An absolute scientific marvel is taking place inside a sleep sack.
Minutes 45+: Cycling back into lighter sleep. This is the famous 45-minute nap. I have been warned about this. I am prepared. (I am not prepared.)
While all of this is happening, their body is:
Releasing growth hormone — yes, most of it is released during sleep
Repairing cells and tissue
Filing away everything they experienced today
Looking unfairly adorable while doing all of it
When Should I Actually Worry ?
Okay. Real talk. Because I need to know when it's fine to exhale, and when I should actually pick up the phone.
Most of the time, my baby sleeping a lot is completely, boringly normal.
But I should check in with my GP or health visitor if my baby:
Is impossible to rouse for feeds and hasn't eaten in more than 4 hours as a newborn
Has signs of jaundice — yellowing skin or eyes — and seems unusually hard to wake
Has a fever alongside extra sleepiness
Isn't gaining weight or has fewer wet nappies than expected
Seems limp, pale, or unresponsive
My health visitor is genuinely there for this. Ringing them is not dramatic. Ringing them is not wasting anyone's time. Ringing them is exactly what a good mum does.
The NHS 111 service is also there 24/7 if I'm ever unsure and it's 3am. Which, statistically, it probably is.
What is My Baby Actually Doing When They Sleep ?
I'm glad I asked. Here is the full itinerary of a typical baby nap, so I can stop feeling like I need to be doing more:
Minutes 1–5: Light sleep. I will not move them. I will not put them down. I will not so much as sneeze.
Minutes 5–20: Deeper sleep begins. The twitching starts. Completely normal. They are processing the seventeen things they discovered today — that light exists, that my face exists, that the ceiling is fascinating.
Minutes 20–45: Deep sleep. Brain development happening. Growth hormones releasing. An absolute scientific marvel is taking place inside a sleep sack.
Minutes 45+: Cycling back into lighter sleep. This is the famous 45-minute nap. I have been warned about this. I am prepared. (I am not prepared.)
While all of this is happening, their body is:
Releasing growth hormone — yes, most of it is released during sleep
Repairing cells and tissue
Filing away everything they experienced today
Looking unfairly adorable while doing all of it
When Should I Actually Worry ?
Okay. Real talk. Because I need to know when it's fine to exhale, and when I should actually pick up the phone.
Most of the time, my baby sleeping a lot is completely, boringly normal.
But I should check in with my GP or health visitor if my baby:
Is impossible to rouse for feeds and hasn't eaten in more than 4 hours as a newborn
Has signs of jaundice — yellowing skin or eyes — and seems unusually hard to wake
Has a fever alongside extra sleepiness
Isn't gaining weight or has fewer wet nappies than expected
Seems limp, pale, or unresponsive
My health visitor is genuinely there for this. Ringing them is not dramatic. Ringing them is not wasting anyone's time. Ringing them is exactly what a good mum does.
The NHS 111 service is also there 24/7 if I'm ever unsure and it's 3am. Which, statistically, it probably is.
"They're not sleeping too much. You're just worrying enough for the both of you." Josh Ezekiel
"They're not sleeping too much. You're just worrying enough for the both of you." Josh Ezekiel
Josh.E
Josh.E
"They're not sleeping too much. You're just worrying enough for the both of you." Josh Ezekiel
Josh.E
How Do I Stop Worrying and Trust My Gut ?
Here's what I need to hear, and maybe keep hearing until it actually lands:
I know my baby better than Google does.
Even at two weeks in. Even at four days in. I have been studying this specific tiny human more intensely than any research paper ever could. I know their sounds. I know their rhythms. I know their little tells. If something feels off, that feeling matters. I should go get it checked, and I shouldn't apologise for it.
But if my baby is sleeping, feeding, and occasionally looking up at me like I'm the most extraordinary thing they've ever seen — I am, by the way, I am literally their whole world — then they are doing great.
The honest summary of newborn life is this:
Sleep. Eat. Sleep again. Occasionally cry. Be completely astonishing. Repeat.
That's it. There's no hidden trap. No trick. Nothing I'm missing. My baby is sleeping so much because that is exactly what they are supposed to do. And me Googling it at whatever ungodly hour this is? That's exactly what a good mum does.
Now I'm going to put the phone down. Or not. Either way, I'm doing fine.
How Do I Stop Worrying and Trust My Gut ?
Here's what I need to hear, and maybe keep hearing until it actually lands:
I know my baby better than Google does.
Even at two weeks in. Even at four days in. I have been studying this specific tiny human more intensely than any research paper ever could. I know their sounds. I know their rhythms. I know their little tells. If something feels off, that feeling matters. I should go get it checked, and I shouldn't apologise for it.
But if my baby is sleeping, feeding, and occasionally looking up at me like I'm the most extraordinary thing they've ever seen — I am, by the way, I am literally their whole world — then they are doing great.
The honest summary of newborn life is this:
Sleep. Eat. Sleep again. Occasionally cry. Be completely astonishing. Repeat.
That's it. There's no hidden trap. No trick. Nothing I'm missing. My baby is sleeping so much because that is exactly what they are supposed to do. And me Googling it at whatever ungodly hour this is? That's exactly what a good mum does.
Now I'm going to put the phone down. Or not. Either way, I'm doing fine.
About the Author
Josh Ezekiel is an early years practitioner with over a decade of experience working with children and families across the UK. He currently works in NHS mental health and CAMHS services, and is training as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman in London.