Miya Pearson
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 19 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. As a result, they might not sleep at what many people consider to be the appropriate times. Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much do newborns sleep? | 12-19 hours in a 24-hour period |
| How long do they sleep for at once? | 1-2 hours at a time |
| How often do they wake up? | Every 2-4 hours |
| Why do they wake up? | To feed, change or settle |
| How do you know if your baby is sleeping too much? | If they sleep for six to eight hours at a time when they are just a month or two old, or if they are missing meals or not gaining weight |
| How to help your baby fall asleep? | Knowing the signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, providing the right environment, creating a bedtime routine, playing soft music, swaddling, and room-sharing without bed-sharing |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep for 12-19 hours a day
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 19 hours a day. They don't have a sense of day and night and are unable to establish a sleep-wake rhythm. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. During this time, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. This is followed by a quiet alert phase, where the baby is awake and taking in their surroundings. This progresses to the active alert phase, where the baby is attentive to sights and sounds and moves actively.
Newborns need to be fed frequently, so they usually sleep in short periods. They wake up at least every three hours to feed, though this timing varies. Breastfed newborns should not go more than two to four hours without eating, while formula-fed babies should not go longer than three to four hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first few weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
In the early days, newborns may need help to stay awake to feed. Some techniques to keep them awake include tickling their feet, sitting them up for a moment, using a wet wipe or washcloth, or blowing in their face. It can be a battle to keep them awake, but it's important to ensure they are getting enough nourishment.
It is important to prioritize a newborn's feeding needs over trying to establish a strict sleeping routine. Over time, you and your baby will settle into a routine, and they will start to learn the difference between night and day. You can help them learn this distinction by exposing them to light and gentle play during the day and providing a dim and quiet environment at night.
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They wake up every few hours to feed
Newborns have tiny stomachs that can't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long, so they need to be fed frequently. They wake up every few hours to be fed and may go back to sleep right after. Breastfed babies tend to feed more often, about every 2–4 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less frequently, about every 3–4 hours.
In the first few weeks, it is common for parents to have to wake their newborns for feedings. This can be challenging, as newborns may be difficult to rouse. Some methods that may help keep them awake during feedings include using a wet wipe or washcloth, tickling their feet, sitting them up for a moment, or blowing in their face.
Newborns do not initially understand the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They may sleep in short bursts, or sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Over time, they will begin to settle into a routine and develop a sense of day and night.
It is important to ensure that newborns are getting adequate nutrition, even if they are sleeping for long stretches. If a newborn is sleeping too much, it could be a sign of jaundice, dehydration, or another medical condition. In general, newborns should not go more than 3–4 hours without eating, and they should be awakened to feed if necessary.
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They don't know the difference between day and night
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night. They sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs do not hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, they wake often to eat—no matter the time of day or night. Newborns should get 12 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 or even 19 hours a day.
Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. During active sleep, the newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even.
In the first few weeks, it is normal for a newborn to wake up to feed and then go right back to sleep. As newborns grow into infants, they begin to develop a schedule and start sleeping longer at night, though they may still wake several times to feed.
Breastfed newborns shouldn't go more than two to four hours without eating, and formula-fed babies shouldn't go longer than three to four hours. If your newborn is sleeping too much, you may need to wake them to feed. This can be challenging, and you may need to tickle their feet, sit them up for a second, or blow in their face while nursing to keep them awake.
You can help your newborn learn the difference between night and day by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. At night, keep the lights low and the environment calm and quiet. You can also let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
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They sleep in short bursts, or sleep cycles
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, but this can be as much as 19 hours. They sleep in short bursts, or sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. During this time, newborns will move between active sleep and quiet sleep. In the former phase, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. In the latter phase, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even.
After the sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase, during which newborns are very still, but awake and taking in their environment. They may look or stare at objects and respond to sounds and motion. This phase usually progresses to the active alert phase, during which newborns are attentive to sounds and sights and move actively. After this, there is a crying phase, during which newborns can be easily overstimulated. It is usually best to calm the baby and the environment during this phase, for example, by holding the baby close or wrapping them snugly in a blanket (swaddling).
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. At around three months of age, they may start to learn the rhythm of day and night. To help newborns learn to sleep more at night, parents can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day, and provide a dim and quiet environment at night.
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They may sleep longer when they're sick
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 19 hours a day. Their sleep may happen in small chunks or on an irregular schedule. They may sleep for only 1–2 hours at a time and wake up at least every 3 hours to feed. However, this timing varies widely.
Newborns do not have a sense of day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep around the clock and wake often to eat, no matter the time of day.
Newborns may sleep more or less than usual when they are sick. If your baby is sleeping for longer than usual, it is generally not a cause for concern unless there are other symptoms. However, if your baby is sleeping for six to eight hours at a time when they are just a month or two old, you should take them to get checked out.
If your baby is sick, you should wake them if they are napping for more than three or four hours. Signs that your baby may be unwell include having a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, or not eating or drinking well. You should also wake your baby if they are breathing harder or faster than usual.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 19 hours in a 24-hour period. They usually sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are around 20 to 50 minutes long.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, and they need to wake up frequently to feed. They also don't have established sleep-wake rhythms like older humans.
Yes, it's perfectly normal for newborns to sleep a lot. However, if a newborn is sleeping for longer than usual, it could be a cause for concern if there are other symptoms. For example, they may have a minor illness, or they may not be getting enough to eat.
It's important to prioritise your newborn's feeding needs over trying to establish a strict sleeping routine. You can help your newborn learn the difference between day and night by exposing them to light and playing with them gently during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night.
