How many hours do babies typically sleep in a day?

Babies typically sleep around 16 to 18 hours a day during the first few months of life. This extensive sleep pattern is crucial for their rapid growth and development, as sleep plays an essential role in brain development, memory consolidation, and overall physical health. Newborns have shorter sleep cycles than adults, often waking every couple of hours for feeding and care, which can result in a cumulative total of up to 18 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period.

As babies grow, their sleep needs gradually decrease, leading to fewer total hours of sleep by the time they reach toddlerhood. Understanding this range helps caregivers establish appropriate sleep environments and schedules for infants, promoting healthy sleep habits as they develop.