Herbie Murray
Newborns have varying sleep schedules, and it can be challenging for new parents to determine how long and how often their baby should sleep. In the first few months, newborns sleep for around 14 to 18 hours a day, but this can vary from 11 to 19 hours. Their sleep patterns are different from adults, as they take frequent naps throughout a 24-hour period, with each nap lasting between one and four hours.
Newborns' sleep is influenced by their feeding habits, with breastfed babies feeding every two to three hours, and formula-fed babies feeding every three to four hours. Additionally, newborns' sleep patterns are not linked to a specific time of day, and they often confuse day and night.
While there is no strict sleep schedule for newborns, understanding their sleep patterns and establishing a flexible routine can help new parents navigate this challenging yet exciting period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total sleep hours | 11-19 hours |
| Daytime sleep | 6-8 hours |
| Nighttime sleep | 8-10 hours |
| Wake and sleep time | 45-60 minutes |
| Feeding | Every 2-3 hours |
| Sleep cycles | 20-50 minutes |
| Sleep training | After 4-6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles
Newborns do not have established sleep-wake rhythms, so they do not know the difference between day and night. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. At around 2 to 3 months of age, their sleep may start to become more predictable, and they may start to learn the rhythm of day and night.
- Expose them to light and play with them gently during the day.
- Provide a dim and quiet environment at night.
- Put them in their cot when they are tired but still awake.
- Recognise and respond to tired signs, such as yawning or rubbing their eyes.
- Use a gentle, positive, and consistent routine, such as feed, play, sleep.
- Use different techniques to settle your baby, such as swaddling or playing soft music.
- Avoid overstimulating your baby before sleep.
- Keep a sleep log to get an idea of when your baby usually sleeps so you can schedule naps and bedtime accordingly.
- Be flexible and adjust your baby's sleep schedule as needed.
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Breastfed newborns wake up to nurse about every 2-3 hours
Breastfed newborns have smaller stomachs and wake up to nurse about every 2-3 hours. This is because they need to feed more frequently than formula-fed babies, who wake roughly every 3-4 hours.
Newborns will sleep for 2-3 hours at a time, and then gradually for 3-4 hours at a stretch. It's important to wake your newborn to feed every 2-3 hours if they don't wake up on their own. This is because newborns need to eat a lot, and their tiny tummies can only take in so much at once.
Breastfed newborns' longest sleep period is generally 2-3 hours. This is about how long their small bellies can go between feedings. If they do sleep for longer, they will probably be extra hungry during the day and may want to nurse more often.
Breastfed newborns' sleep patterns can be unpredictable, but there are some things you can do to help them sleep better. For example, keeping the room dimly lit and keeping noise to a minimum will help your baby realise that nighttime is for sleeping, not playing, and can help them fall back to sleep more easily.
You can also try to establish a bedtime routine. A relaxing and predictable bedtime routine, including activities like cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding, helps set the stage for healthy sleep habits later in life. Watching for sleepiness cues, such as fussing or rubbing their eyes, is also important. When you see these signs, it's a good idea to lay your baby in their crib or bassinet.
It's also important to note that newborns shouldn't sleep through the night. If your newborn is sleeping for longer stretches (usually at around 3 months of age), it won't hurt your breastfeeding efforts. Your body will adjust its milk supply based on when you nurse and how much your baby needs.
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Formula-fed newborns wake up roughly every 3-4 hours
Newborns have yet to develop their natural day-night circadian rhythms, and their tiny tummies mean they need to feed often, including at night. Formula-fed newborns wake up roughly every three to four hours to feed. This is because formula takes longer to digest than breast milk, so formula-fed babies stay fuller for longer.
During the first two months, babies sleep in bits and pieces, waking throughout the day to feed. In the early weeks, you can expect your little one to fuss from hunger ten to twelve times a day. This is completely normal and to be expected.
Tips for formula-fed newborns
- It's important to establish a bedtime routine. A relaxing and predictable bedtime routine, including activities like cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding, helps set the stage for healthy sleep habits later in life.
- Watch for sleepiness cues: when a baby starts showing signs of sleepiness, such as fussing or rubbing their eyes, this is a good moment to lay them in their crib or bassinet.
- Provide a comfortable environment: to help the development of a newborn’s circadian rhythm, make sure they get plenty of light and sound during the day, and keep their bedroom dark and quiet in the evening.
- Keep feedings low-key: during nighttime feedings, use dim lighting and keep the interaction short and calm.
- Incorporate tummy time: allowing a newborn to spend a few minutes on their stomach while they are awake helps with the development of neck and shoulder muscles, as well as motor skills. Research also suggests that regular, supervised tummy time during the day might be linked to longer nighttime sleep as a baby grows.
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Newborns don't know the difference between day and night
Newborns are just getting used to life outside the womb, so it can take a while for them to settle into a regular sleep pattern. This can lead to day and night confusion, where a baby sleeps when they're supposed to be awake and stays awake all night.
This happens because newborns are adjusting to life outside the dark, noisy womb. They've spent the last nine months in a dark, noisy, cushiony environment where their mother's movements rocked them to sleep during the day, but they kicked more at night when things were still and quiet.
Additionally, newborns don't have a strong circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are controlled by a biological clock in the brain that syncs daily cycles to a person's external environment. Babies need time for their circadian rhythm to develop.
- Expose your baby to sunlight when they're awake. Position their swing or playmat near a window, or take them for a walk in their stroller. Exposure to natural light during the day helps promote normal circadian rhythm development.
- Encourage a longer stretch of sleep at night. Newborns will sleep for around 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period. Capping daytime naps to no more than two hours will encourage longer stretches of sleep at night.
- Pay attention to your baby's sleep cues. Every hour or so, check in with your baby to see if they're ready for bed. Signs of tiredness might include a change in disposition, a glossy gaze, rubbing their eyes, or yawning.
- Place your baby down to sleep when they're drowsy rather than fully asleep. This will help train their brains and bodies to fall asleep without help and at the proper times.
- Practice safe sleep habits. Always follow safe infant sleep guidelines, such as placing your baby to sleep on their back on a firm mattress with only a fitted sheet and no stuffed animals, blankets, or crib bumpers.
- Keep to a consistent bedtime routine. A simple routine might include a warm bath, a feeding, a book or song, and then placing your baby in their crib. Keep things quiet and calm at night, and expose them to regular daytime noise and activity so they learn to sleep in different environments.
- Be consistent with things like swaddling and pacifiers. Using swaddles for both naps and overnight sleep may help your baby stay calm and sleep longer, while pacifiers can help some babies settle down and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Start your day early. Try to start your day and your newborn's day by 7:00 or 8:00 a.m., even on weekends. This reinforces the habit of being awake during daylight hours and asleep during the night.
- Encourage full feedings during the day. Newborns who are up all night may be more likely to snack, so it's important to encourage full feedings during the day to keep them content between feedings, allow for active awake time, and normalize their hunger response.
- Understand wake windows. Wake windows are the amount of time your baby is awake between naps. Understanding these cycles can help ensure your baby is awake long enough between naps to be tired when the sun goes down.
- Engage with your baby during the day. Stimulate your baby in a variety of ways, such as playing with toys and bright-colored objects, gently dancing with them, or giving them a massage. This will help them stay awake during the day and get on a regular sleep schedule, as well as stimulate their growth.
Remember, it takes time for newborns to develop a sense of day and night. By about four months old, your baby's day and night confusion will likely have subsided, and they will start sleeping through the night. In the meantime, be patient and consistent, and don't hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your baby's sleep habits.
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Newborns need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods
Newborns have small stomachs and need to be fed regularly, so they usually sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles. These sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and newborns will sleep for two to four hours at a time.
Newborns generally sleep between 11 and 19 hours in a 24-hour period. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake frequently during the night because they need to be fed or changed.
In the early weeks, newborns may doze off for short periods during a feed. It is a good idea to continue feeding them until they finish or until they are fully asleep. This is an opportunity for parents to rest as well.
Newborns take lots of little naps, totalling up to eight hours a day. A newborn's daytime wake/sleep cycle is 45 to 60 minutes of awake time, followed by one to two hours of napping. For babies between one and two months old, the wake window is a little wider, lasting between one and two hours.
During the second month, if a baby's nap goes over an hour and a half to two hours, it may be a good idea to wake them for a feed. Long naps mean less eating during the day, which can make babies hungrier at night.
Newborns' sleep patterns can be confusing for adults, as they are awake for much of the night and spend much of the day asleep. However, this is normal, as newborns are still developing their sense of day and night.
To help newborns develop a sleep-wake cycle, they should get plenty of light and sound during the day, and their environment should be kept dark and quiet in the evening.
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