Herbie Murray
Newborns have different sleep patterns and feeding schedules than adults. They sleep more than they are awake, which can be around 18 hours a day. Newborns also wake up frequently to feed, regardless of the time of day. Their internal 24-hour rhythm is still developing, so they can't distinguish between day and night. As a result, newborns may sleep through feedings or wake up multiple times at night. This can be challenging for parents, who may also be sleep-deprived. To promote healthy sleep habits, parents can room-share without bed-sharing, maintain a calm and quiet environment during nighttime feedings, and allow their babies to fall asleep in their cribs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long newborns sleep | Newborns sleep more than they are awake, which can be around 18 hours a day. |
| How often newborns wake up | Newborns wake up frequently during the night for the first few months. |
| Why newborns wake up | Newborns wake up to be fed, as they get hungry soon after feeding due to their small stomachs. They also wake up if they are too hot or cold. |
| How to get newborns to sleep | It may take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to differentiate between night and day. Parents can help by keeping things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, and letting the baby sleep in a crib at night. |
| Safe sleep practices | Newborns should sleep on their back and not on their stomach or side. They should not sleep on products that are not designed for sleeping babies, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. |
| Room-sharing | The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). |
| Feeding schedule | Breastfed newborns should be fed every two to three hours. Bottle-fed newborns can go longer between feedings, typically three to four hours. |
| Waking newborn to feed | Some experts recommend waking a newborn to feed every three to four hours for the first two weeks if they need to gain weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking a newborn to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns wake up frequently to feed as their stomachs are tiny
Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they wake up frequently to feed. This is normal and an important part of their growth. They will sleep for around 18 hours a day, but this will mostly be in short bursts. During the first few weeks, newborns may doze off during feeds, so it's important to carry on feeding until they have finished or are fully asleep.
Breastfed newborns need to feed every two to three hours, even if they have been sleeping peacefully. If you are bottle-feeding, your baby can go a bit longer between feeds, typically three to four hours. If your baby is sleeping for longer than this, you may need to wake them for a feed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks. This is because they need to gain weight and also to ensure that your milk production is not slowed down.
If your baby is in a deep sleep, you may find it difficult to wake them for a feed. You could try unswaddling them or changing their diaper. Singing or stroking their hands and feet may also help to wake them. If the room is too bright, try dimming the lights as your baby may be more comfortable with their eyes shut.
As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep for longer. Most babies start sleeping through the night by six months, but some start sleeping longer sooner, at around four months.
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Breastfed babies need to be fed every 2-3 hours
Newborns have tiny bellies, so they need to feed frequently. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours. This is because breast milk is easily digested, so newborns are hungry often. In the first few weeks of life, breastfeeding should be "on demand", which is about every 1.5 to 3 hours. As newborns get older, they'll nurse less often and may have a more predictable schedule. Some might feed every 90 minutes, whereas others might go 2–3 hours between feedings. Newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding, even overnight.
During the first few days, your baby may want to feed very often, perhaps every hour. They'll begin to have fewer but longer feeds once your breasts start to produce more "mature" milk after a few days. The more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply and the more milk you'll make. Feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. This is called responsive feeding, or on-demand or baby-led feeding.
In the first month, newborns should breastfeed 8–12 times per day. By the time your baby is 1–2 months old, they will probably nurse 7–9 times a day. You can expect your baby to sleep for longer stretches at night once they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. At 3 months, a baby averages a total of 5 hours of sleep during daytime naps and 10 hours at night, usually with an interruption or two. Most babies this age sleep "through the night", meaning a 5-6 hour stretch.
If you are concerned about meeting your baby's needs, talk to a lactation consultant or your baby's nurse or doctor. They can help you address any breastfeeding problems and figure out the best way to meet your baby's needs.
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Bottle-fed babies can go longer between feeds
Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are tiny, and they get hungry soon after feeding. These short bursts of sleep and wakefulness are normal and an important part of a baby's growth. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, and it may take a few weeks for their brains to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm.
If you're breastfeeding, you should feed your baby every two to three hours, even if they've been sleeping peacefully. Breast milk is digested easily and quickly, so newborns need to be fed frequently. Not feeding often enough can also slow down milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
However, if you're bottle-feeding, your baby can go a bit longer between feeds. Typically, bottle-fed babies can go three to four hours between feedings. This is because formula milk takes longer to digest than breast milk.
Some experts recommend waking your baby to feed within the first two weeks if they need to gain weight. In this case, you would wake your baby every three to four hours for a feeding. Others suggest waking to feed during the first five to six weeks if your baby sleeps longer than five hours at a time.
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Babies should sleep in the same room as you for the first 6 months
Newborns follow their own schedule and will invariably wake up repeatedly at night for the first few months. They wake often to eat, no matter the time, and being too hot or too cold can also disturb their sleep. It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to distinguish between night and day.
To help your baby learn the difference between night and day, keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months and preferably up to one year. This arrangement, known as room-sharing, involves the baby sleeping in their own crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in the parents' bedroom, rather than in the same bed. Room-sharing is associated with a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night.
However, some studies suggest that room-sharing beyond four months of age may disrupt infant sleep and increase unsafe sleep practices. Research indicates that babies who room-share beyond this age are more likely to be pulled into their parents' bed, increasing the risk of SIDS. Additionally, room-sharing can contribute to sleep deprivation for parents, leading to potential issues such as poor bonding, marital strain, and postpartum depression. Ultimately, the decision to transition a baby to their own room depends on what works best for the child and family, taking into account factors such as safe sleep practices and the baby's developmental stage.
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Consult a paediatrician if you're concerned about your baby's sleep
Newborns follow their own schedule and will invariably wake up repeatedly during the night for the first few months. They wake up every couple of hours to eat, regardless of the time of day. This is because infants can digest breast milk quickly, and within two to three hours, they need more.
If your newborn does not wake up to eat, it can lead to inadequate nutrition and potential complications. It is essential to gently wake them by touching their cheek, feet, or changing their diaper. If these attempts fail, consult a paediatrician. They may recommend techniques like skin-to-skin contact or adjusting feeding schedules. In rare cases, medical intervention might be necessary. Regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor are crucial to ensure your baby’s well-being and proper development.
If you are concerned about your baby's weight or they have a medical condition, consult with your paediatrician or family doctor and get their go-ahead before weaning night feeds. If you are still unsure whether your baby still needs to feed at night, consider taking a comprehensive and holistic view of your particular situation and child. A sleep consultant can provide you with a plan to slowly wean feeds. However, no information provided by sleep consultants should be taken as medical information, and you should always speak to your doctor to ensure your baby is healthy and ready to wean off night feedings.
If your baby is falling asleep during a feed, they are likely relaxed, tired, and were going to fall asleep anyway. This is not necessarily bad and it happens. However, if you are waking up multiple times to settle your baby to sleep, it can impact your rest and mental health and your baby's much-needed sleep. Remember, babies need sleep just like they need food, a diaper change, and love.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are tiny, and they get hungry not long after feeding. If you're breastfeeding, you should feed your baby every two to three hours. If you're bottle-feeding, your baby can go a bit longer, typically three to four hours.
Yes, newborns need to be fed frequently to gain weight and grow. If your baby sleeps through a scheduled feed, wake them to feed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep more than four to five hours at a time for the first two weeks.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. To help your baby develop this rhythm, keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby.
