We all want our babies to sleep – but can you have too much of a good thing when it comes to baby sleep? We’ve written before about babies sleeping too much, but what if your baby suddenly starts sleeping more than usual? What if you’re seeing marathon naps, later-than-usual morning wake-up times, and/or finding that you need to bump up to an earlier bedtime?
This can make many parents worry.
So what’s behind this sudden onset of sleepiness? Why is your baby sleeping so much? We’re sharing 3 common reasons. Keep reading for details!
3 Reasons Your Baby Is Sleeping More Than Usual
If your baby suddenly starts seeming extra-sleepy, it’s likely that one of the following three reasons is to blame:
1. Your baby is extra sleepy due to a growth spurt. Growth spurts are typically the number-one reason a baby or toddler suddenly starts taking extra-long naps and sleeping later in the morning. This is especially true for newborns. Lots of parents find that in the first few months of their newborns’ lives, their babies go through a number of sleepy spells where they seem to sleep around the clock!
To learn more, read this article about baby’s growth spurts and sleep.
2. Your baby is super sleepy due to a bout of teething. Teething – it’s high on the list of most parents’ least favorite things! So many clients have told us that just when it seems like sleep is going well, a new tooth begins to pop through. Bam – everything falls apart! Now, while it’s true that teething can lead to increased night waking and shortened naps, a particularly nasty bout of teething can work almost like a bad cold virus. This too can cause your baby to need more sleep than usual. Some parents find that their babies even run low-grade fevers and are especially mucus-y during teething too. All of these factors can make baby feel lousy and extra sleepy.
To learn more, read this article about baby teething and sleep.
3. Your baby is extra sleepy due to illness. Similar to teething, illness often causes your baby to feel lousy and extra sleepy. Yes, she may also wake more than usual at night, and wake early from naps too. However, your baby will likely need more total sleep throughout the day when she’s sick. Her body will need lots of extra rest as it works to fight off the illness.
To learn more, read this article about how illness affects your baby’s sleep.
Baby Sleeping More Than Usual: Rule Out Medical Concerns!
While the three reasons listed above tend to be the most common causes of extra sleepiness, it’s important to rule out any medical concerns that could be causing lethargy and more-than-average sleep. For instance, sleep apnea can affect children, and can cause a baby or toddler to seem extra-sleepy. If you have concerns about your child’s tiredness, see your healthcare provider.
Engage Your Baby While Awake
Are you concerned that because your baby is sleeping more that he or she won’t be learning enough new skills? Engage your little one while he or she is awake! Consider more one on one play time and toys that are educational. Here are a few of our favorites:
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My son will be 10 months old in a couple days and he still takes at least 3 naps during the day. He seems to be getting tired again after being awake for about 1-2 hours. He doesn’t sleep 11-12 hours at night like it’s supposed to be for his age. Is that why he gets tired so quickly during the day? Or should I get him checked out by his pediatrician? He isn’t sick and doesn’t seem to be teething right now either.
Hi @Stefanie –
Thank you for writing to us! Some babies do get tired more quickly than others, but a chat with his doctor is a good idea if you’re worried that he is sleeping too much in the day! getting a clean bill of health is a great thing to do first, especially if you’re thinking of making changes to his schedule or working on increasing night sleep or decreasing day sleep to help increase night sleep. : )
If the Dr gives him the all clear, and you’d like help getting him sleeping longer at night and on a good day scheduel too, please contact us and we’d love to help! Thanks again for visiting our sleepy little village!
Hi my 7wk old daughter has been sleepy for the second day now,and as I’ve not seen her like this do I have anything to worry about,and how many days do i leave her like that,she ghosted as not taking much of her bottles either,thanks in advance
@Nicola – Thank you so much for reading and sharing with us! At this age, newborns do tend to sleep ALOT especially right around 6/7week mark as they hit a bit of a growth spurt. If her sleepiness is causing you to worry, please reach out to her healthcare provider to be sure all else is well with her. We’re sending you all well wishes!
Hello
My baby is 7 month and 8 days.
She been napping so much in the morning, she eats less formulas & arch’s back on her formula too.
She wakes up many times at night, whenever she is awake, she is so fuzzy, she is constantly crying & her wake time is not as long as it used to be. She looks like she is having a stomach pain, I gave her 2 days ago a formula that sat only like 1 hour extra than the recommended could this be the reason? I mean does stomach prbs causes all this?
She was also diagnosed with reflux, she is around 14.5 pounds and she takes nexium but only 5 MG dosages. However she never used to nap so much in the morning this way, sometimes she used to wake up like maybe 6 times at nights with her reflux but she never napped a lot like now.
Any help please or good advice thanks a lot.
@Honada- Thank you for reading and for sharing with us. I’m so sorry to hear your little girl has been having such a tough time with sleeping. Both reflux and stomach pains can cause issues with feeding and sleep as they do interfere with the throat, stomach and digestive systems. If your daughter is having trouble sleeping at night, she may be making up that sleep she’s missing at night by sleeping longer during the day. You may want to reach out to her healthcare provider to be sure her tummy and reflux issues are well under control, too. Hang in there, Honada.
My two year old seems to fall asleep on his own within two hours of waking in the morning after sleeping 7-9 hours overnight. His belly has a lot more gas the last few days and his appetite has decreased. No fever. No vomiting or runny nose. Just seems so much more tired throughout the day.
@Veronica – Thank you for reading and for sharing! If you’re at all concerned about your son’s fatigue and bloated belly, please don’t hesitate to reach out to his healthcare provider for recommendations. Please let us know if we can help you increase your little guy’s night time sleep as it’s not uncommon for a 2-year old to need about 12 hours of total sleep during the day and night. Hang in there and hope this helps!
Hello, my 12 week old little girl has been sleeping more than usual for about 4 days. She also has not had a BM in 2 days (she normally goes every other day). She eats about every 3 hours. She’s kicking her legs a lot when awake and is now giggling for the first time. She tries to fight to stay awake but gets fussy with dark under her eyes. When I hold her, her eyes close instantly. She takes multiple naps throughout the day and sleeps through the night (I wake her at least once to feed her). She does not have a temp. She went from 11.15 lbs to 12.5 lbs in 6 days. could this be a growth spurt? How long will it last before she gets her energy back?
Hi @Kelsey, thanks for writing to us, I’m happy to help! It is certainly possible your little one is going through a growth spurt. At this super young age, so many things are changing so fast, I personally found with my own kids that as soon as I thought I knew what “normal” was that it was changed on me. Here is a link to a sample schedule for a 3 month old (keep in mind this is based on averages and there may be some differences which is fine): https://www.babysleepsite.com/schedules/3-month-old-baby-sleep-and-feeding-schedule/
My second son was SO sleepy for the first few months of life, I remember it really took me off guard because my first wasn’t like that at all. So all babies are different and some need more sleep. Since she’s gaining weight, giggling and showing more movement, it sounds like things are going great, and of course if you had any concerns be sure to speak to her doctor. I hope that helps!
My 4 months that old went from taking 5 naps a day at 45 min each max to 3 naps a day with first one being 1.5 hour then second 2 hours long and the last is maybe 50 min. This all changed in a months time. Also, she has been showing the ability to take longer naps now for 4 days. I would pop her binky in and she would go back to sleep for another hour. Today I only had to do the binky once. Could she be consolidating her sleep or is it illness? Or teething? She is drooling like crazy and always has since 2 month and brings everything to her mouth. Still no teeth yet.
Hi @Stacey Beck, thanks for writing to us. At this age it’s great to hear she’s been consolidating her naps, I personally wouldn’t be alarmed by it. Here is a link to a sample schedule for a 4 month old to give you an idea of all the sleep she needs in a 24 hour period so you can make sure she’s getting what she needs, but from what you shared her naps sound like they’re going really well: https://www.babysleepsite.com/schedules/4-month-old-schedule/
Let us know if you need any other help!
Hello,
Maybe I just mastered this or something is wrong? I dunno I’m a dad but my wife has yelled at me enough for me to ask.
My almost 5 month old little girl seems to sleep a lot. (I think it’s great for the record) here it is
1. At night for about 10-11 hours. (Straight and in crib)
2. About 1 hour in morning after feeding (in car seat or other place etc.)
3. 4 hours after second feeding (straight in crib)
I watch her on the camera and she doesn’t make a peep and occasionally will wake up. She will suck her thumb or soothe herself and go right back to sleep. She sleeps super sound and is always smiling and always eating.
Soo is the one scheduled nap an issue?
Ni @Mark – Thanks for writing! It does indeed sound like your little girl is sleeping well! Congrats!! Regarding her naps – At this age we do typically recommend more naps, but, if she is well rested, and doing well, there is no need to necessarily change anything! Here is our sample schedule for 5 month olds, just in case you do want to try and adjust things:
https://www.babysleepsite.com/schedules/5-month-old-baby-schedule/
Good luck Mark and thanks again for visiting!
My 7month old is sleeping more and teething and got a runny nose
Hi @Tracey, thanks for sharing what’s going on with your 7 month old! I know my kids have gotten cold like symptoms during teething too – it can be very difficult to determine why too. Hopefully your baby is feeling better soon and it is all just teething related.