Miya Pearson
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to feed. They don't yet have a sense of day and night, and their sleep is often interrupted. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day. Establishing a bedtime routine can help encourage longer stretches of overnight sleep. It's important to create a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Newborns should sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface, and swaddling can help soothe them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of 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. |
| Feeding | Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies feed about every 3–4 hours. |
| Sleep surface | All sleep surfaces should be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. |
| Safe sleep environment | Safe sleep environments can help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). |
| Sleep position | Infants should sleep on their back until they are 1 year old. |
| Sleep schedule | Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. They follow their own schedule for the first few weeks to months. |
| Bedtime routine | A consistent bedtime routine can help encourage longer stretches of overnight sleep. |
| Sleep habits | It is important to teach babies to fall asleep on their own and form good sleep habits early on. |
| Room-sharing | The AAP recommends room-sharing but not bed-sharing for the first 6 months. |
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Safe sleep environments
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to feed. They have no sense of day and night, and their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long. Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing: For the first six months, it is recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents but in their own crib or bassinet. This arrangement reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Sleep position: Infants should sleep on their back until they are one year old. Sleeping on their back significantly reduces the risk of SUID. If they roll onto their side and tummy, gently roll them back onto their back.
- Sleep surface: Ensure your baby sleeps on a firm, flat surface, such as a crib or bassinet. The sleep surface should be empty, with no pillows, blankets, toys, or other items that could pose a suffocation or strangulation hazard.
- Swaddling: Swaddling, or wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket, can be soothing and help them sleep. However, ensure your baby's breathing is not obstructed, and stop swaddling once they start trying to roll over.
- Sleepwear: Dress your baby in comfortable sleepwear that is appropriate for the temperature of the room. Being too hot or too cold can disturb their sleep.
- Pacifiers: Offering a pacifier at sleep times can help soothe your baby and may even reduce the risk of SIDS. However, do not force the baby to take it, and if you are breastfeeding, wait until they are at least one month old or are used to breastfeeding.
- Safe bedding: Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the relevant consumer product safety organizations.
- Consistent bedtime routine: Establishing a soothing bedtime routine can help your baby settle and sleep better. This routine can include dimming the lights, bathing, singing lullabies, or reading a book.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your baby's sleep or safety.
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Sleep duration
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and sleep around the clock. They wake up every couple of hours to eat and can be disturbed by being too hot or too cold. The National Sleep Foundation says newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
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. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. During the first few months, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night.
Over the next few weeks to months, you and your baby will begin to settle into a routine. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to learn the difference between night and day. You can help them by keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes, keeping the lights low, and resisting the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that night-time is for sleeping.
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Sleep cycles
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night, and their tiny stomachs do not hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that newborns get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, although some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
During the first few months, newborns invariably wake up repeatedly in the night. They will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping. For at least the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
In the early weeks, you may find your baby only falls asleep in your arms or when you're standing by the cot. You can help your baby sleep by learning to recognise the signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing a safe and comfortable sleep environment.
Babies enter stage 1 at the beginning of the sleep cycle, then move into stages 2, 3, 4, then back to 3, then 2, and finally to REM sleep. These cycles may occur several times during sleep. Babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may struggle to go back to sleep in the first few months.
Introducing a consistent bedtime routine early on could help encourage longer stretches of overnight sleep. This may include dimming the lights at a consistent time each day, bathing, and a special book or song. When your baby is young, the best time to put them to bed is when they're drowsy but still awake. This helps to form sleep habits that make it easier for infants to sleep in a crib so they will sleep better at night.
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Sleep positions
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 19 hours a day. They wake up every couple of hours to eat and can be very hard to settle. It's important to remember that newborns don't have a sense of day and night, so it may take a few weeks for them to start sleeping for longer stretches at night.
To help your newborn sleep, you can try swaddling them (wrapping them in a light blanket). Just be sure not to swaddle above the shoulders, and stop swaddling if they start trying to roll over. You can also try rocking them, cuddling them, and singing to them.
It's recommended that infants sleep on their backs until they are 1 year old, as this significantly reduces the likelihood of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID). Sleeping on their side makes it easy for them to roll onto their stomach, so parents should try to roll the baby back onto their back. Once your baby can roll independently, you don't have to place them on their back each time they roll over.
It's important to create a safe sleep environment for your baby, as this can help reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation or strangulation. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and that your baby sleeps on a firm, flat surface in an empty crib or bassinet. For at least the first 6 months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, and you should avoid bed-sharing with your baby.
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Sleep routines
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night, and their tiny stomachs do not hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that newborns get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, although some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
It is recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months, as this can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SUID). The AAP also recommends room-sharing but not bed-sharing. Place your newborn's crib near your bed for convenient breastfeeding and parent contact. If you use a baby sling, ensure you do so safely.
Establishing a bedtime routine is a good idea. This may include dimming the lights at a consistent time each day, bathing, and reading a special book or singing a song. It is best to put your baby to bed when they are drowsy but still awake, as this helps to form sleep habits that make it easier for them to sleep independently in a crib.
Swaddling your baby (wrapping them in a light blanket) can help to soothe them and make them feel secure. However, be sure that their breathing is not obstructed, and stop swaddling if they start trying to roll over. You can also offer your baby a pacifier at sleep times, which has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep around the clock and wake up every couple of hours to eat. They get between 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, so it may take a few weeks for them to learn the difference between night and day. You can help them learn this by keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
If your newborn is fussy, it's OK to rock, cuddle, and sing to them as they settle down. Swaddling can also help to soothe a crying baby. You can also offer your baby a pacifier at sleep times, but don't force it. Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers.
Infants should sleep on their back until they are 1 year old. Back sleeping significantly reduces the likelihood of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID). Sleeping on their side makes it easy to roll onto their stomach, so parents should try to roll the baby back onto their back. Infants should sleep on a firm, flat surface, like a crib or bassinet.
