Every new parent rejoices when their baby logs an unexpectedly long nap or block of nighttime sleep.

(More rest for you, hooray!)

Babies, especially newborns, need a lot of sleep.

can babies sleep too much, yawning sleeping baby on blanket

Or let her sleep and potentially miss a meal or not be tired at bedtime?

Heres what you should know.

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Can a baby sleep too much?

can babies sleep too much, yawning sleeping baby on blanket

Yes, a baby can sleep too much, whether she’s a newborn or an older baby.

Because of their tiny tummy size, newborns need to eat frequently to get the nourishment they need.

It can also cause your supply to dip.

can babies sleep too much, yawning sleeping baby on blanket

You won’t have to worry about waking your baby to eat for long though.

Can older babies oversleep during the day?

But ultimately, every baby’s sleep patterns and needs are a little different.

can babies sleep too much, yawning sleeping baby on blanket

It’s a different story when your baby is sick.

Sleep helps little ones (and adults!)

After all, dont you want to hang out in bed all day when you dont feel well?

can babies sleep too much, yawning sleeping baby on blanket

Should I wake my baby during the day?

Very young babies need to eat frequently to get the nourishment they need.

The rule typically applies to babies 3 weeks and younger who are still establishing apattern of weight gain.

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Rousing a sleeping newborn to eat can sometimes be tough, though.

But if youre having trouble getting in two full feedings in a row, let your pediatrician know.

Theres no need to worry about waking your older baby for a meal.

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But in general, its wise to cap her daytime sleep to no more than four hours.

The exception to the rule is when your baby is sick.

to know when you definitely need to wake her.

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Chronic sleepiness, though, can sometimes be a cause for concern.

Frequently missing meals could hurt her weight gain and growth.

Just wake your sleeping beauty after the three- or four-hour mark.

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If your baby gets too much sleep during naps, it may cause problems with nighttime sleep.

Wake your baby every 2 to 4 hours to give her plenty of opportunities to eat.

It can feel like she’s sleeping all day when she isn’t eating.

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In general, wake your sleeping baby if a daytime nap goes longer than 3 or 4 hours.

Newborns need to wake about every two to four hours to eat.

Older babies can have trouble sleeping well at night if they sleep too much during the day.

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