My almost 6 month old baby girl just started teething, and is sleeping a TON! I don't know if this is normal or if I should be worried? She normally sleeps about 12 hours at night, (waking once to eat in between) and cat naps throughout the day, but last night slept 15 1/2 hours, and has been taking long naps during the day too. She only seems to want to be awake for an hour or so before she gets fussy and acts tired, rubbing her eyes and stuff. She also coule be going through a growth spurt, could that explain excessive sleepin?
Thanks for all the advice everyone! This seems very common so I'm just enjoying the extra time!
No, I wouldn't worry too much about it. My daughter slept alot as a baby, one day she slept all day, and we tried to keep her awake in the early evening and she wasn't having it and still slept okay at night. I firmly believe if they want to sleep, they need it. Nothing was ever wrong with my daughter. I only wish my son was ever like that. Ha ha.
Hi M. - as long as your daughter is alert and active when she is awake, her long sleeps are probably not a problem. She could be going through a growth spurt and will soon regulate her sleeping again.
You might also observe her when she sleeps to make sure that she is breathing alright. Sometimes apnea, re-breathing or other issues can cause a baby to sleep alot because their quality of sleep is poor. Pain from teething can also lead to poor quality of sleep.
Lastly, discuss any medications you are currently taking if you are breast-feeding. Some medications that cause drowsiness can be expressed in breast milk.
Just some things to consider. If you are concerned, why not just give your doc a call or consider an office visit to discuss it?
Sounds like a growth spurt. Mine is taking an extra nap every day, and it seems like nothing fits by the time it comes out of the laundry. Have fun with the extra quiet time, and start getting out bigger clothes! :)
I'm sure it is a growth spurt. Babies are excellent at getting just the amount of sleep they need, and some babies do require more. By the time my middle child was 4 months old, her regular routine for sleep was 12 hours every night, a 1 hour nap in the morning and a 3 hour nap in the afternoon. EVERY day. I mean this child never woke up at night at this point. What an easy baby! She would add an hour or so on when she grew, too. She's 14 now and still likes her sleep. And actually, at her age your daughter may be in need of a more definite nap routine rather than catnaps. At any rate, relax and enjoy!
Your little cutie may be going through a growth spurt.
I noticed that my son would suddenly eat much more than he had previously been eating and sleep much more than he had previously been sleeping, and shortly thereafter, would have visibly grown. Then, for a while, until the next growth spurt, he would eat and sleep less. I observed that growth goes in spurts, rather than being continuous, and that a growth spurt always seemed to be preceded by increased eating and sleeping.
As always, though, if you have any real concern, you should seek qualified medical advice rather than relying on my observations.
Well if it is bad then I am in the same boat :)
My little one sleeps 12 hours a night with no waking up and gets two good naps in a day, around 1-2 hours each!
I won't complain... so I think for some kids it is just normal. Their body knows what they need!
Leave her alone. If she's growing, if she's processing world she needs to sleep it off. Have you ever been in really bad pain? It's tiring. Just make sure she's eating/drinking enough, and enjoy your down time!
Growth spurts cause them to sleep more too.
Don't worry, unless she is lethargic when awake and no appetite, enjoy it!
My seven year old is doing this now, had a major spurt and has been sleeping 11 hours at night and still hard to pull out of bed! Very normal! Enjoy it while it lasts! :)
