Newborn Sleep: What To Expect On Day One

Newborns generally sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. They don't know the difference between day and night and so they sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns have a tiny stomach, so they need to be fed often, about every 2 to 4 hours. They also need help to feed, change or settle, so they can get back to sleep.

Newborns sleep a lot because they're growing and developing

Newborns typically sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day, with some sleeping for up to 19 hours per day. This is because they are growing and developing at a rapid pace. In their first year, babies can triple their birth weight and learn to roll over, sit up, crawl, stand, eat solid food, and even walk and talk. Sleep plays a critical role in this growth and development. It helps to promote learning, memory consolidation, and sensory processing, all of which prepare babies to explore their environments in new ways.

In addition to supporting physical growth, sleep is also important for a newborn's mental health. It helps to regulate their emotions and gives them the rest they need to stay calm and happy. Newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness, which can also contribute to better sleep.

It's important to note that while newborns sleep a lot, they don't typically sleep for long stretches at a time. They usually sleep in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes, waking frequently to feed or be changed. This is because their tiny stomachs can't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long.

As newborns grow and develop, they will start to settle into a more consistent sleep schedule. By around three months of age, they may start to learn the difference between day and night and sleep for longer stretches at night.

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night

Newborns are adjusting to life outside the womb, which was dark, noisy, and cushiony, with their mother's movements rocking them to sleep during the day. It takes time for them to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, also known as a circadian rhythm, which tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.

To help your newborn establish a healthy sleep-wake cycle, you can:

• Expose them to sunlight or indirect daylight when they're awake during the day. This will help them associate light with being awake and active.
• Encourage longer stretches of sleep at night. Limit daytime naps to no more than 2-3 hours at a time and try to keep them awake for longer stretches at night.
• Be intentional with their wake windows during the day. Understand their wake windows and sleepy cues to ensure they get enough awake time without becoming overtired.
• Use light and darkness to signal day and night. Expose your newborn to daylight during the day and dim the lights at night to signal bedtime.
• Establish a consistent bedtime routine. A warm bath, feeding, reading a book, or singing a lullaby can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.
• Be patient and consistent. Remember that it takes time for newborns to develop their circadian rhythm, so be patient and consistent with your routines.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles

Sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns 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. It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.

Newborns need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods. In the first few months, they sleep for about 30 minutes to three hours at a time and wake up for about two hours before going back to sleep. They wake up a lot because their tiny stomachs cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long.

Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2 to 3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed every 3 to 4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.

Newborns generally sleep for a total of about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night. However, this varies, and some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. They may start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking from around 3 months of age, but some babies don't sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.

Newborns wake every few hours to eat

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they wake up every few hours because they get hungry soon after feeding. This is normal and an important part of their growth.

Breastfed babies feed very frequently, about every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3-4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3-4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night. They sleep around the clock and need to be fed no matter the time of day. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day. To help them learn the difference, you can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day, and provide a dim and quiet environment at night.

Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They wake up between sleep cycles and, as they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.

If your baby is younger than one month old, you may need to wake them up to feed, as they may not wake up when they feel hungry. Babies younger than four weeks old should not go longer than 4-5 hours without food.

Newborns sleep more during the day than at night

Newborns tend to sleep more during the day than at night, as they have not yet developed a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed.

Newborns generally sleep for 8-9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night, totalling 16-17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. However, this varies, and some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. Their sleep comes in short bursts, with sleep cycles lasting around 20 to 50 minutes.

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to wake up frequently to feed, regardless of the time of day. Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less frequently, typically every 3-4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.

It is important to note that there is no set schedule for newborn sleep, and many newborns confuse day and night, thinking they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day. This can be frustrating for new parents, who may struggle to determine how long and how often their newborn should sleep.

To help your newborn develop a sense of day and night, expose them to light and gentle play during the day, and provide a dim and quiet environment at night. Avoid keeping your baby up during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night, as overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping.

If you are concerned about your newborn's sleep habits or have questions, it is best to consult a paediatrician or healthcare provider.

Frequently asked questions