Do Babies Sleep in the Womb? What to Know

Once I started to feel baby move, it was pretty much the only thing I could focus on. I loved feeling her roll around, and I could only imagine what her rapidly developing body was up to. But, given how active she was, I never really thought about her time spent sleeping in the womb.

So, hold up, do babies sleep in the womb? Experts say yes—and quite a lot, it turns out. Read on to learn how long babies sleep in the womb, how often they snooze and what else keeps them busy in utero.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, babies do sleep in the womb.
• Research has found that later in pregnancy, they spend about 90 to 95 percent of their day asleep.
• Babies sleep in short bursts of anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes at a time.
• Sleeping in the womb is essential for baby’s development.

Do Babies Sleep in the Womb?

Yes, babies do sleep in the womb. In fact, they sleep a lot more than you probably realize. “Babies actually spend [most] of their time in the womb sleeping, especially during the second and third trimesters,” says Amber Kool, DNP, RN, a nursing practitioner with experience in pediatrics and associate provost at Arizona College of Nursing.

Babies do more than just nod off here and there in the womb—they experience periods of deep sleep, just like we do. “Research has shown that in the last half of [pregnancy], babies go through cycles of sleeping and waking,” explains Dr. Robert Thompson, DO, a board-certified physician executive with specialized training in women’s health and medical contributor at Care Point Boston. “Although the pattern of fetal sleep does differ from those of both newborns and adults, studies have shown that [baby]goes through distinct periods of rest and wakefulness before it’s born.”

How Long Are Baby’s Sleep Stretches in the Womb?

Baby usually sleeps for periods between 20 and 40 minutes in the womb. These short bursts of sleep are very different from the habits of newborns, who might sleep for a few hours at a time, notes Kool.

How Much Total Sleep Does Baby Get in the Womb?

Babies spend 90 to 95 percent of their day asleep by the time you’re 32 weeks pregnant, notes Dr. Sarah Jordan, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at Pediatrix in Fort Worth, Texas. Of course, this can vary by baby, but it’s safe to assume that the closer you get to your due date, the more likely it is that your little one is snoozing in preparation.

“I find it hard to believe that my babies slept so much in the womb,” remarks Sarah J., a mom of three in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Each one of them seemed to roll around constantly, so I figured they were playing more often than not.”

Signs Baby Is Sleeping in the Womb

It can be hard to know if baby’s sleeping in the womb, since—yes—they can still be active in their sleep. That said, there’s typically a bit less activity.

“There’s usually less body movement and a more steady heartbeat observed as indicators of a sleeping baby,” explains Dr. Thompson. “In an ‘active’ sleep state, [baby] may exhibit a variety of body movements, including eye movements and very slight foot kicks.”

It’s important to keep in mind that baby shouldn’t be completely still for long periods of time: To track movement and help prevent issues, ob-gyns recommend doing kick counts starting at 28 weeks. “If you feel baby isn’t moving as much as normal, it’s important to have this evaluated by your obstetric provider rather than simply assuming baby’s sleeping,” advises Dr. Jordan.

Why Is Sleep in the Womb Important for Fetal Development?

Sleeping in the womb supports the hormonal and metabolic signals that help baby grow, “which allows baby to gain a healthy weight,” explains Dr. Jordan.

Baby spends most of their time in the womb in “active” sleep. “Far from being downtime, [sleep] is when baby’s nervous system is doing its most important building,” says nurse-practioner Kool. She adds, “For a developing baby, sleep isn’t rest from the work of growing, it is the work.”

Do Babies Dream in the Womb?

Research suggests that babies may dream in the womb. This is based on the idea that they start experiencing REM (rapid eye movement) sleep— which is when our brains create dreams—by around 23 weeks. Of course, we can’t say for certain—but there’s pretty good evidence.

“If baby was sleeping so much during my pregnancy, then, judging by all of the movement, they had to have been having some wild dreams, right?” notes Lori F., a mom of two in Durham, North Carolina.

What Else Does Baby Do in the Womb?

Babies are very busy as they develop inside the womb and practice new skills. Here are some things experts say baby’s up to in utero:

• Practicing breathing
• Responding to sound and light
• Wiggling their fingers and toes
• Kicking
• Stretching
• Sucking their thumbs
• Practicing swallowing, rooting and sucking
• Yawning
• Having hiccups

To Sum It Up

Despite all of the movement you’re feeling in your pregnant belly, baby is spending the majority of their time in the womb blissfully sleeping, especially as your due date approaches. All of that rest is incredibly important for their development. Baby might even be dreaming in the womb—undoubtedly, about snuggling with you.

How We Developed This Article

We know that babies do all kinds of things in the womb. (Have you ever seen a baby suck its thumb on an ultrasound? Adorable!) But do babies sleep in the womb? And how much do babies sleep in the womb? To help learn about baby’s sleep in utero, we talked to an ob-gyn, a physician executive with specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology and a nurse practitioner. We also spoke with real moms to learn about their experiences.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Ashley Ziegler is a mom of two who was hyperaware of baby movement during both of her pregnancies—if there’s a pro-level for kick counting, she reached it. She’s also an experienced health, pregnancy and parenting writer with work appearing in publications including Scary Mommy, Romper, Pregnancy & Newborn, Everyday Health and more.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.