Colin Snow
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours a day, and their sleep is spread throughout the day because they develop their circadian rhythms over time. Newborns don't know the difference between day and night, and they don't have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. The first three months are an important time for parents and newborns to learn how to feed and develop a routine together. It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn and to establish a routine, but it is not something that can be controlled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much do newborns sleep in a 24-hour period? | 12 to 16 hours or 14 to 17 hours. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. |
| How long are their sleep cycles? | 20 to 50 minutes. |
| How often do newborns wake up? | Every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2 to 3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours. |
| Do newborns know the difference between day and night? | No, they do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. |
| What are the two types of sleep cycles? | Active sleep and quiet sleep. |
| What happens during active sleep? | The newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. |
| What happens during quiet sleep? | They will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. |
| What are some settling techniques for newborns? | Holding your baby until they fall asleep, rocking, cuddling, and singing. |
| What are some things to keep in mind when creating a sleep routine? | Exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, providing a dim and quiet environment at night, and keeping things calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. |
| How long should you aim for wake windows? | 60-90 minutes (35-60 minutes for those under 4 weeks). |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep 12-19 hours a day
Newborns sleep for 12 to 19 hours a day. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns need to be fed regularly, so they usually sleep in short periods. They wake frequently during the night because they need to be fed or changed.
During the first few weeks, you may find that your baby only falls asleep in your arms or when you're standing by the cot. It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques may be hard to continue long-term, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep. These can create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep.
To help your newborn learn to sleep more at night, expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night. It is also important to keep things calm and quiet 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.
It is normal for newborns to sleep for long periods, especially soon after coming home from the hospital. However, if a newborn sleeps through a feeding, it may be necessary to wake them up to eat. While all babies are different, newborns who breastfeed or drink formula usually need to eat at least every four hours. So, if a newborn is asleep and it is time for a feeding, sometimes a diaper change or gently touching them will help them wake up.
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They wake every few hours to eat
Newborns have tiny stomachs that cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, so they wake up every few hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2-4 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less often, about every 3-4 hours. It is important to ensure that your baby is getting enough calories and to establish a healthy nursing relationship. If your baby is not waking up for feedings, you may need to wake them up to eat, especially until they show good weight gain. This usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
During the first few weeks, you may find that your baby only falls asleep in your arms or when you are standing by the cot. It is important to establish a routine and teach your baby to fall asleep on their own, as they may begin to expect to be in your arms to fall asleep. You can do this by recognising signs of sleep readiness and providing a comfortable and safe sleep environment. For example, a simple, soothing bedtime routine may help your baby settle and can be a great opportunity for one-on-one time.
In the early weeks, your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until you think your baby has finished or until they are fully asleep. This is a good opportunity for you to rest as well. If your baby is not sleeping at the same time as you, you do not need to keep the house silent. It is good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise, as this will help them learn that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is important to note that every baby is different, and the number of hours of sleep a newborn gets is not something you can control. Newborns generally sleep 12-16 hours in a 24-hour period, but this can vary widely from baby to baby and even week to week. Their sleep is spread throughout the day in short spurts of one to two hours until their bodies establish a circadian rhythm.
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They don't know the difference between night and day
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 16 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18 or 19 hours a day. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. This is because they need to be fed or changed regularly, and their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long.
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night. They do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They sleep around the clock and wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed. It can take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to learn the difference between night and day. During this time, you can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night. Keeping things calm and quiet during night-time feedings and diaper changes will also help to send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, can create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep. While it is good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise, it is also important to establish a soothing bedtime routine. Singing a lullaby or using a wind-up musical mobile can help your baby settle and can be a great opportunity to have one-on-one time with your baby.
The first 3 months are an important time for both you and your baby to learn how to feed and to develop a routine together. It is normal for newborns to sleep for long periods, especially soon after coming home from the hospital. However, if a newborn sleeps through a feeding, it may be necessary to wake them up to eat. For the first few months, it is recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
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They sleep in short bursts of 20-50 minutes
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping for up to 18 to 19 hours a day. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. This is because they need to be fed or changed regularly, and their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long.
During these sleep cycles, newborns experience both active sleep and quiet sleep. In the active sleep phase, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. This is distinct from the quiet sleep phase, where they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. These sleep cycles may occur several times during sleep, and newborns may awaken as they transition from deep sleep to light sleep, often having difficulty falling back asleep in the first few months.
In the first few weeks, newborns may only fall asleep in their caregiver's arms or when rocked, cuddled, or sung to. While this is a special moment for bonding, it is important to be mindful of creating positive sleep associations. For example, if a newborn falls asleep while being held, they may begin to expect this every time they need to fall asleep. Thus, it is recommended to put them back into their crib or bassinet when they drift off during feeding, burping, cuddling, or rocking.
Additionally, newborns do not initially know the difference between day and night. They do not have established sleep-wake rhythms, so it is important to help them develop these rhythms by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day. At night, providing a dim and quiet environment reinforces that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is also worth noting that newborns may sleep more in the initial weeks after coming home from the hospital. This increased sleep duration is normal, and parents or caregivers should not be concerned about a newborn sleeping too much during this period.
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They need a safe sleep environment
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 16 hours in a 24-hour period, usually in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms.
It is important to create a safe sleep environment for newborns to reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths, such as Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Here are some ways to ensure a safe sleep environment:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, never on their stomach or side. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
- Use a firm sleep surface to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Soft surfaces, loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, and other soft items in the sleep space can increase the risk of sleep-related deaths.
- Avoid using products labelled as weighted, such as weighted sleepers, swaddles, sleep sacks, and blankets, as these are not safe for infants.
- Ensure that all sleep products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and meet federal safety standards.
- Do not let your baby sleep on a couch, armchair, or in a seating device like a swing or car seat (unless riding in the car).
- Breastfeed if possible, and avoid smoking.
- Room-sharing, where the baby sleeps in the same room as the parents in a separate crib or bassinet, is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as it helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. It also reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50% compared to bed-sharing.
- Keep the environment calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, with low lighting.
- Establish a consistent sleep routine by letting your baby fall asleep in their crib at night, so they associate it with sleep time.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. Their sleep is spread throughout the day in short bursts of 1-2 hours.
Newborns sleep a lot because their brains and bodies are growing rapidly. They also need to sleep frequently because they need to be fed regularly.
Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They may also sleep for longer stretches at night as they get older.
Newborns who are breastfed or drink formula usually need to be fed at least every 2-4 hours. It's important to wake them up to feed if they sleep through a feeding.
You can help your newborn sleep by creating a soothing bedtime routine and providing a safe and comfortable sleep environment. It's also important to establish a routine and teach your baby the difference between night and day.
