Supporting Healthy Sleep Routines For Babies and Cats

Sleep plays a vital role in the healthy growth and development of our babies. It strengthens the immune system, releases growth hormones and supports memory development.

Newborns’ circadian rhythms (the biological clock that aligns sleep and wake) are still under construction. This can lead to erratic nap and night schedules.

Newborns

During the first few months of life, babies spend much of their time asleep. Typically, newborns sleep 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period with short intervals of wakefulness for feeding and play. It’s important for parents to understand that this is normal and developmentally appropriate. The first few months is an excellent opportunity to get to know your baby’s sleep needs.

Newborns need lots of support from their caregivers while they learn to self-settle during the day and night, and to establish a consistent sleep routine. It is also common for babies to need night feeds, which can interfere with the amount of sleep they are able to acquire each day. While establishing an optimal sleep schedule may take some time, most babies will begin to develop their internal circadian rhythm by the age of 2 or 3 months and should start sleeping more consistently between naps and night feeds.

Babies are developing both physically and mentally at a rapid pace, making sleep an essential component of their health and well-being. While they are sleeping, brain cells are creating the connections that facilitate learning and memory. In fact, infants who get a good night’s sleep tend to have better cognitive skills than those who are overtired.

In addition to helping their body and mind grow, restful sleep is critical for the development of healthy immune systems in infants. A well-rested child has a more resilient response to common illnesses like colds, the flu, and even pneumonia.

During sleep, a baby’s heart rate and blood pressure decrease. This helps protect the developing lungs and cardiovascular system while also promoting good oxygen circulation throughout the body. Sleep also promotes a balanced hormone level, which is necessary for normal metabolic function and growth.

Newborns and infants need plenty of quality sleep, but their sleep patterns are very unpredictable. It’s best to avoid using a “sleep schedule” for this age group until they are 6 months old, and instead focus on maintaining a healthy sleep environment by following their natural sleepy cues and keeping the sleep surface clean, comfortable, and safe.

House Cats

Many first-time cat owners believe that their feline companion’s extensive sleep schedule suggests he or she is unhealthy or sick, but the truth is that frequent rest is an essential part of cats’ natural rhythm. In fact, felines devote more time to sleep than any other mammal.

This cyclical pattern of rest aligns with cats’ evolutionary heritage as predators, allowing them to preserve energy for bursts of activity while remaining alert to possible threats. The sleep-wake cycles also enable REM (dream) sleep, which plays a crucial role in supporting healthy brain function.

A cat’s sleep cycle can be disrupted by a variety of factors, including changes to their environment or routine, illness, and stress. As a result, these disruptions may cause them to sleep more than usual, but it is important to understand that this behavior is a normal coping mechanism and should not be discouraged.

Like humans, cats require ample sleep for mental and physical health. For house cats, this typically translates to 12-16 hours of rest per day. Young cats, kittens and seniors require more rest to support development and aid in recovery from age-related changes.

Although it is normal for cats to play at night, this should be confined to periods of short duration and should not interfere with the ability to get adequate sleep. If a cat appears lethargic or has trouble waking from sleep, it may be due to illness, pain, or hunger. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian if a pet’s sleep habits appear to be out of the ordinary.

Unlike humans, cats are not typically deep sleepers, with REM sleep making up only 1/4 of their total sleeping time. Instead, they are more likely to be snoozing lightly, with their eyes open and ears twitching. This light slumber is sufficient for their restorative needs, but it is not deep sleep.

Cats are more likely to be active during the day and less prone to sleeping at night than humans. They are crepuscular, meaning they are more active at dawn and dusk, but can also be found napping during the day in a variety of places. Providing a comfortable, quiet space to relax during the day and minimizing noise in the home at night can help cats establish a regular sleep schedule.

Older Babies

As kittens mature, their growing bodies require vast amounts of rest. Often, they sleep the majority of the day and only awaken for meals and brief sessions of play. Adolescent cats also tend to have erratic sleep cycles that combine periods of drowsiness with bouts of high energy and playful activity. Adult cats, however, develop a recognizable pattern of sleeping and waking. They generally spend 12 to 20 hours each day in what’s called a polyphasic sleep pattern. This means they take multiple short naps throughout the day, rather than one long block of rest as humans do.

While it’s normal for adult cats to nap, significant changes in their sleep patterns are worth bringing to the attention of your Perry vet. Excessive sleeping, for example, can signal conditions like hypothyroidism or pain that may need to be addressed. Our experienced team is here to help you support your cat’s well-being.

Toddlers

For toddlers, consistent sleep routines are important to fostering restful nights for everyone. Typically, children need 11-14 hours of sleep every 24 hours including naps. Toddlers may wake frequently, need to fall back asleep multiple times during the night, and have trouble settling down to sleep. A positive bedtime routine that includes a wind-down period (a bath, a story, soothing music, etc) can help them prepare for rest.

By this age, it’s often best to stop letting children nap during the day and make them get all of their sleep at night. Napping during the day interferes with a child’s ability to sleep at night, and it can lead to later difficulties with focus and behavior.

When children and pets co-sleep, they can wake each other up or their own parents can be woken up by the pet. This can interrupt a child’s sleep and cause them to feel confused or stressed. Using a white noise machine can help mask disruptive sounds and help kids fall asleep.

If you have questions about your child’s sleep, consult with your pediatrician or consider speaking with a sleep coach. These professionals have seen it all and have incredible specialized insight into routines, patterns, and disruptions. They can provide a fresh perspective and help you get to the root of what’s keeping your child up at night. It is essential to remember that sleep is a learned behavior, and some children pick it up quickly while others need extra support to learn the skill. A good pediatrician or sleep coach will help you find a plan that works for your family. Sleep is a lot like shoe sizes, so find the size that fits!