Is It Normal For An Infant To Sleep Continuously For 7 Hours At Night?

Posted on Sun, 4 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 4 Jan 2015 Answered on

Mon, 2 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello doctor

My 3 months old daughter has been sleeping full night at 11 pm to 6 am without break
Is it normal ?
Even at 6 am sometimes I wake her up to feed her and after that again she sleeps for 2 or 3 hours
I m surprised that she doesn't feel hungry at all
In the day she keeps awake mostly I mean she does sleep in breaks
I just wanna know what is normal at 3 months age for the baby ?
Do I need to wake her up at 6 in the morning to feed or not ?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it can be normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi....a 3 month old baby sleeping like this at a stretch is normal provided after waking up, her activities, feeding pattern is normal.

But I suggest you feed her at 6am, by waking her up.

I have a few questions for you -

Has she at attained social smile?
Was there any problem during birth?
Did she cry immediately after birth or required assistance?

Get back with answers and I will be glad to help.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (5 hours later)

Her feeding pattern is normal

She had normal birth and cried and was 9 on 10 at appar

There was no problem at birth

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your baby is normal - Do not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Your baby is normal and do not worry about it. But as I suggested...you feed her at 6am, by waking her up.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (17 hours later)

Yesterday my baby slept at 11 am and I woke her up at 6 am just now and she is deep asleep
it took me 30 minutes to wake her up n she is just feeding for 2 minutes and again sleeping
I think she is too sleepy
Also when she is awake she keeps sucking her hands
Her urinating is normal

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on sleep

Detailed Answer:
Hi....sometimes babies of this age can sleep up to 18 hours per day. If her weight gain is good, urination is appropriate and her play activity is good while completely awake, you need not worry.

But at least 4-6 hours once and let her take milk.

The danger signs include - complete lethargy even when awake/ seizures/ lip smacking / bulging anterior fontanelle/ non pulsatile anterior fontanelle/ fever/ inability to feed.

If these are there she needs medical evaluation. Otherwise you can be rest assured.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar