Unusual Sleepiness in Babies

Normal Sleep Patterns

• Although each child̵7;s sleep patterns vary, the UK government website NHS Choices provides guidelines based on age to help you determine if your baby is sleeping too much. During the first week, your newborn sleeps approximately 16.5 hours per day. By the time your infant reaches four weeks, she sleeps almost seven hours during the day and almost nine hours at night. At 3 months, your baby sleeps five hours during the day and 10 hours at night. By 6 months, expect your baby to sleep approximately four hours during the day and 10 hours at night. At 9 months, the daytime naps decrease to less than three hours per day, and the nighttime sleep increases to about 11 hours. By the time your child is 12 months, he sleeps approximately two and a half hours during the day and 11.5 hours at night.

Jaundice

• If your newborn is not waking up to feed at least every four hours, contact your pediatrician. Excessive sleepiness is a symptom of severe jaundice. According to the American Pregnancy Association, jaundice is common in newborns and is caused by elevated bilirubin levels; bilirubin is a substance produced in the liver by breaking down red blood cells. More common symptoms of jaundice include yellow skin and yellow eyes. If you suspect jaundice, your doctor may test for and treat the condition if necessary. Left untreated, jaundice can cause more serious conditions, such as deafness or cerebral palsy.

Hypoglycemia

• Lethargy is just one of the symptoms associated with hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. According to Cincinnati Children̵7;s Hospital, other symptoms of hypoglycemia include low body temperature, blue skin coloring, seizures, apnea or restlessness. Hypoglycemia is caused by a variety of conditions, such as poor nutrition, exposure to the cold, liver disease or birth defects. The brain depends on blood glucose to function normally, so it̵7;s important to talk to your pediatrician if you suspect your baby has hypoglycemia.

Warnings and Concerns

• If your baby is unresponsive or unable to feed, call an ambulance immediately. There is reason for concern if your baby is sleeping for longer periods of time than normal or has other symptoms of an illness along with lethargy. Abnormal sleep patterns can be a sign of a variety of infections or illnesses, such as a common cold or meningitis. Whenever you have a question about your baby̵7;s health, talk to your pediatrician right away.