Miya Pearson
Newborns typically sleep between 14 and 19 hours a day, waking up every few hours to eat. This can be a challenging time for parents, who have to tend to their baby multiple times a night. While the amount of sleep a newborn gets is largely out of a parent's control, there are strategies to help lengthen their naps and improve their sleep. For instance, creating a bedtime routine with soothing activities like bathing, reading, and singing can help relax your baby and signal the end of the day. It is also important to ensure that your baby's sleep environment is safe and that all sleep products meet federal safety standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total sleep time | 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period (some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours) |
| Daytime sleep | 8 hours (total sleep time of naps) |
| Nap length | 20-120 minutes |
| Wake windows | 35-60 minutes for babies 0-4 weeks, 60-90 minutes for babies 4-12 weeks |
| Feeding | Breastfed babies: every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies: every 3-4 hours. |
| Bedtime | 7:00-10:00 pm |
| Safe sleep environment | Place baby on their back to sleep, use a firm and flat sleep surface, keep the room temperature comfortable, avoid hazards like cords or sharp objects, do not bed-share |
| Soothing techniques | Swaddling, rocking, singing, bedtime routine, soft music, transitional object |
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What You'll Learn
A newborn's sleep cycle
At the end of a sleep cycle, newborns typically experience a quiet alert phase, where they are still and awake, taking in their surroundings. This is followed by an active alert phase, where they become more attentive to sights and sounds and move actively. The final phase is the crying phase, where the baby's body moves erratically, and they may cry loudly. It is important to calm the baby and the environment during this phase, as they can easily become overstimulated.
Newborns generally sleep between 12 to 19 hours in a 24-hour period, but this can vary. They wake up every few hours to feed, with breastfed babies feeding more frequently than bottle-fed babies. It is recommended to wake your newborn every 3-4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain, which is usually within the first few weeks.
It is important to establish positive sleep associations and a bedtime routine for your newborn. While it may be tempting to rock or breastfeed your baby to sleep, this can create a negative sleep association, and they may then expect to be in your arms or fed to fall asleep. Instead, try putting your baby in their crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own.
To create a safe sleep environment, always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with a snugly fitting sheet. Keep the room dim and quiet, and dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating. Ensure that there are no hazards within the baby's reach, such as cords, ties, or sharp objects. Room-sharing is recommended for the first 6 months to 1 year, but bed-sharing should be avoided as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related hazards.
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Safe sleep environment
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. During the first few weeks, newborns should be awakened to feed every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
Sleep position
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. This can reduce the risk of SIDS, aspiration, and choking.
Sleep surface
Use a firm, flat, and level sleep surface. A crib with a fitted sheet covering the mattress is the safest option. Sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other, or those that elevate both the head and feet, can increase the risk of positional asphyxia.
Room-sharing without bed-sharing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, or ideally, until the baby's first birthday. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Keep the sleep area clear
Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep soft items like plush toys, pillows, loose blankets, bumpers, and other similar objects out of the sleep space. Dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle. Do not cover your baby's head while they're sleeping.
Avoid hazards
Watch out for hazards such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners. Ensure that all sleep products you use are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
Establish a bedtime routine
Create a familiar and relaxing bedtime routine for your baby. This can include activities such as bathing, reading, singing, or playing soft music. Be consistent so that your baby associates these steps with sleeping.
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Daytime naps
The number of hours of sleep a newborn needs isn't something that can be controlled. Newborns generally sleep 12 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, and this includes daytime naps. In the first 3 months, newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long.
Newborns also need to be fed regularly, so they usually sleep in short periods. They also do not know the difference between day and night. They need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep.
During the day, it's important to keep your baby in bright or sunny spaces, and at night, remove bright lights. This will help your baby learn that daytime is for activity and nighttime is for sleep. You can also provide a dim and quiet environment at night.
In terms of daytime naps, it's important to allow time for naps each day as needed for your baby's age. Nap lengths vary throughout the day and from day to day. A normal newborn nap can be 20 to 120 minutes long. Newborn wake windows are about 35 to 60 minutes for babies 0 to 4 weeks old and about 60 to 90 minutes for babies 4 to 12 weeks old. During each wake window, keep an eye out for your baby's individual sleepy cues during those ranges.
It's recommended that you don't let any one nap go longer than 2 hours during the day. Offer daytime feedings every 2 to 3 hours, according to hunger cues.
It's also important to note that room-sharing is safe, but putting your baby to sleep in the same bed as you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
- Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet, and do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet.
- Keep soft toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- Avoid overheating by dressing your baby for the room temperature and avoid overbundling.
- Do not cover your baby's head while they are sleeping.
- Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Keep your baby away from smokers, as second-hand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it.
- Watch out for hazards such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around your baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners.
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Bedtime routine
At four days old, your baby should be sleeping quite a bit—likely around 15 to 18 hours a day. To help your newborn settle into a healthy sleep pattern and establish a bedtime routine, here are some tips and strategies to consider:
Create a calm and soothing environment: Lower the lights, draw the curtains, and create a peaceful atmosphere. Soft music or You may want to see also 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, waking every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed every 3–4 hours. You may want to see also Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. Newborns should be fed every 2 to 4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Wake your baby every 3 to 4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. No, do not keep your baby awake during the day. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping at night. It is normal for newborns to take lots of short naps during the day, totalling up to 8 hours. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, including toys, pillows, blankets, or bumpers. You can start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe your baby and signal that it is time to sleep. Be consistent, and your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping.Sleep Training Your 18-Month-Old: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Frequently asked questions
