Gina Johnson
Whether or not to wake a sleeping newborn is a common concern for parents. While many people believe that you should never wake a sleeping baby, this is not always the case. Newborns need to feed often, and they should be woken to eat every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain. If your newborn is still sleeping after 2 hours, you should wake them to ensure they are getting the full feedings and active awake time they need. Additionally, if your newborn is sleeping for longer stretches at night, this may be a sign that they are getting full feedings during the day, which can help them sleep longer stretches at night. However, if your baby is much sleepier than normal, difficult to wake, or seems lethargic, it is important to consult your doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long newborns sleep | Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. |
| How often newborns wake up | Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies feed about every 3-4 hours. |
| Newborns' sense of day and night | Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. |
| Newborns' sleep patterns | Newborns follow their own sleep schedule. Over the next couple of weeks or months, newborns will settle into a routine. |
| Newborns' sleep environment | The sleep environment should be quiet and calm. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to the baby. |
| Newborns' sleep position | It is recommended to let the baby fall asleep in a crib at night to establish the association between the crib and sleep. |
| Newborns' sleep regulation | Newborns are still learning to regulate their sleep and establish a circadian rhythm. |
| Newborns' sleep interruptions | It is recommended to wake a sleeping newborn for feedings every 2-4 hours, especially in the early weeks, to ensure adequate nutrition. |
| Newborns' sleep and growth | Newborns may be sleepier during periods of growth spurt and developmental progression. |
| Newborns' sleep and weight gain | Newborns should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually occurs within the first couple of weeks. |
| Newborns' sleep and medical conditions | Some newborns may be sleepier due to medical reasons such as jaundice, infection, or heart problems. |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns should get 14–19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period
- Babies need to be fed regularly throughout the night during the first six weeks
- Newborns don't have a sense of day and night
- Babies need to be woken to feed every 2-4 hours until they show good weight gain
- Swaddling a newborn can help them sleep
Newborns should get 14–19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period
Newborns typically sleep between 14 and 19 hours over a 24-hour period. This sleep is accumulated through a series of naps, with each nap lasting between one and four hours. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, so they sleep and wake throughout the 24-hour cycle. They wake often to feed, regardless of the time of day or night. Breastfed babies tend to feed more frequently, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies may go slightly longer between feeds, typically feeding every 3-4 hours.
It's important to prioritise your newborn's feeding needs over trying to establish a strict sleeping routine. Newborns need to feed regularly, so they usually sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are typically 20 to 50 minutes long. During the first few months, newborns are learning to feed and developing a routine with their caregivers.
If your newborn is sleeping longer stretches, it's recommended to wake them to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually occurs within the first couple of weeks. After this, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night. However, if your baby is much sleepier than usual, difficult to wake, or seems lethargic, it's important to consult your doctor.
As your baby grows, you can gradually increase the time between feedings and allow them to sleep for longer stretches at night. Most doctors agree that if your baby is eating full feedings every 2.5-3.5 hours, gaining weight steadily, and following their growth curve, you can let them sleep for longer stretches at night. For full-term babies, this typically means they can sleep for up to their age in weeks plus one hour before needing to wake for a feeding. For example, a 4-week-old baby can sleep for up to 5 hours before needing to be fed.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns can vary. Some newborns may start sleeping through the night (for 5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months, while others may take longer to reach this milestone.
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Babies need to be fed regularly throughout the night during the first six weeks
Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to be fed regularly throughout the night during the first six weeks. They wake up often to eat, no matter the time of day or night. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. It's important to establish a demand-and-supply cycle for breastfeeding mothers to ensure an adequate milk supply to meet the baby's needs.
During the first few weeks, newborns can snooze through feeding alarms, so they may need to be awakened. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep more than 4–5 hours at a time during the first two weeks. Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain and lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar.
As your baby grows, the period between feedings will gradually increase. By six months of age, most babies are developmentally ready to sleep through the night without feeding. However, some babies may continue to wake up once or twice or as often as six times during the night. It's important to check on your baby if they wake up and cry to ensure their basic needs are met, as self-soothing won't work if they are hungry, sick, or need a diaper change.
To promote healthy sleep habits, it's recommended to make a 20- to 30-minute bedtime routine. This can include activities such as giving your baby a bath, singing a lullaby, or reading a book. Feeding your baby at the start of their bedtime routine can help them associate their crib with sleep rather than feeding. Additionally, keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes can reinforce the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
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Newborns don't have a sense of day and night
Newborns follow their own schedule, and it may take a few weeks for their brains to develop a sense of the difference between night and day. There are no tricks to speed this up, but it helps to 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. 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.
During the first two months of life, babies don't have any discernible sleep schedule due to their still-developing internal clock. Newborns don't secrete melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy at bedtime, nor do they experience surges of cortisol, the hormone that keeps us awake during the day. This is why newborns have no sense of day or night.
To promote longer stretches of nighttime sleep, some experts recommend waking your newborn from a daytime nap if it's been more than three hours since they've eaten. This is known as strategic daytime feeding, and it can help your baby sleep longer at night.
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Babies need to be woken to feed every 2-4 hours until they show good weight gain
Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to feed frequently—about every two to four hours. They also wake up often to eat, regardless of the time of day. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every two to three hours, while formula-fed babies can go a little longer, up to three to four hours between feedings. This is because breast milk is digested more quickly.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, so they will wake up to eat at any time. It may take a few weeks for their brains to develop the ability to differentiate between night and day. During this time, it's important to keep things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and refraining from playing or talking with your baby will help send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
If your newborn is sleeping and it's been two hours or more, you should wake them to feed. This is to ensure they are getting enough nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. Most doctors agree that if your baby is eating full feedings every 2.5 to 3.5 hours, gaining weight steadily, and staying on their growth curve, you can let them sleep longer stretches at night.
Babies need to be woken to feed every two to four hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. If your baby is very sleepy, it's important to monitor their feeding cues and wakefulness. Some babies may be sleepier due to medical reasons, so if your baby is much sleepier than normal, difficult to wake, or seems lethargic, consult your doctor.
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Swaddling a newborn can help them sleep
Newborns can be pretty sleepy, especially if they are experiencing day-night confusion. They sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula, they wake often to eat—no matter what time of day or night it is. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
When done correctly, swaddling can be an effective technique to help calm infants and promote sleep. It is recommended that you only swaddle a newborn and that you stop swaddling as soon as they show signs of attempting to roll onto their tummy. The wrap must be firm but not too tight, and it should not cover the baby's face and head. The baby's legs should be able to bend at the hips with the knees apart.
Swaddling is not without its risks, however. Some evidence suggests that swaddling a baby's hips too tightly could increase their chance of developing hip dysplasia. It is also important to make sure that any products used to help your baby sleep have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours.
It depends. If your newborn is still sleeping after 2 hours, you should wake them to ensure they are getting the full feedings and active awake time they need. If your doctor says you need to wake your baby for night feedings, you should do so.
You can make sure to get their tummies full during the day. Limit daytime naps to 2-3 hours and wake your baby up to eat once they're close to the three-hour mark.
