Miya Pearson
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours in a 24-hour period, waking up to feed and then falling back to sleep. These sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and newborns sleep in short bursts of one to four hours at a time. Newborns do not know the difference between day and night, and their sleep patterns are irregular for the first three months. However, parents can encourage good sleep habits by getting their newborns out into the daylight, especially in the morning, to help them learn to distinguish between day and night.
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep 12-16 hours a day
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which usually last for 20 to 50 minutes. Newborns need to be fed often during the day and night, and their stomachs are small, so they wake frequently. They also haven't yet developed their circadian rhythm, the internal 24-hour clock that signals when to be awake and when to sleep.
During the first month, newborns feed about every two hours when breastfeeding and every three hours when bottle-fed. They may feed even more frequently when going through a growth spurt. It is important to ensure that newborns are getting adequate nutrition, so they should not sleep for longer than four hours during the early weeks without being fed.
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night, and their sleep patterns can be unpredictable. They may sleep at all hours of the day and night, and their sleep cycles can be irregular. However, towards the end of the first month, you may start to notice patterns emerging as clues to their future sleep habits.
To encourage good sleep habits, it is recommended to teach newborns the difference between day and night. Keep the house bright during the day, don't worry about minimising regular daytime noises, and interact and play with them. At night, keep the lights and noise levels low, and keep any interactions boring and quiet. Getting outside into daylight, especially in the morning, can also help newborns learn to distinguish between day and night and start to get on a more predictable schedule.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for newborns. Some settling techniques, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, may be challenging to maintain long-term and can create negative sleep associations. Instead, it is recommended to follow a routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs rather than trying to establish a strict sleeping routine.
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They wake frequently to eat
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, they wake up frequently to eat because their stomachs are small and they need to be fed often. During the first month, newborns need to be fed every two to three hours, and every three to four hours in the second month. This means that they will sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long, and will wake up multiple times throughout the day and night to be fed.
It is important to prioritise your newborn's feeding needs over establishing a strict sleeping routine. Newborns need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods. These short periods of sleep are known as sleep cycles, and it is normal for newborns to wake between these cycles. As they get older, they will learn to self-settle and fall back to sleep on their own. Introducing healthy sleep habits early on can help your newborn develop a more consistent sleep-wake cycle.
Breastfed babies tend to wake up more often at night and sleep for shorter periods than bottle-fed infants because breast milk is digested more quickly. However, by the time your baby is 9 months old, there is usually no longer a difference in sleep patterns between the two feeding methods. Additionally, newborns should always be placed on their back to sleep, in a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards, with no soft toys, blankets, pillows, or bumpers in their sleep space to reduce the risk of SIDS.
While it can be exhausting for new parents, the frequent waking and feeding of newborns is normal and necessary for their healthy development. Most babies will be able to go through the night without feeding by the time they are 3 to 6 months old, and their sleep patterns will become more organised and settled between 3 and 6 months. In the meantime, it is important to follow your baby's cues and feed them on demand, ensuring they get the nutrition they need.
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Safe sleep practices are critical
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 17 hours in a 24-hour period. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which usually last around 20 to 50 minutes. Newborns need to be fed very frequently, so they wake up multiple times during the night. They also do not know the difference between day and night.
- Back sleeping: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, whether it's for naps or bedtime. This is the safest position to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Firm and flat surface: The crib mattress or bassinet surface should be firm and flat. Avoid using soft mattresses or bedding, as they can increase the risk of SIDS.
- Clear crib: Keep the baby's sleep space clear of any potential hazards, such as blankets, bumper pads, pillows, and toys. These items can pose a suffocation risk. Use only a fitted sheet designed for a crib or bassinet.
- Room sharing, not bed sharing: It is recommended to place the baby's crib or bassinet in the same room as the caregivers, but not in the same bed. This allows for easy access and monitoring while maintaining a separate sleep space.
- No secondhand smoke: Ensure the sleep environment is smoke-free. Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Positive sleep associations: Avoid creating negative sleep associations, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep. While this may be comforting, it can lead to difficulties in the long term, as the baby may then require the same conditions to fall asleep. Instead, focus on establishing positive sleep associations that encourage self-soothing and independent sleep.
- Consistent routines: While a strict sleep schedule may not be feasible during the first few weeks, you can start to introduce consistent routines, such as feeding, playing, and then sleeping. These routines will help your baby develop healthy sleep habits and eventually settle into a more predictable schedule.
- Daytime stimulation: During the day, keep the house bright and interact with your baby. This helps them distinguish day from night and promotes the development of their circadian rhythm. At night, keep the lights and noise levels low, and interactions minimal and quiet.
- Outdoor daylight exposure: Taking your newborn outside, especially in the morning, can aid in their understanding of day and night. This will also help regulate their internal 24-hour clock, known as the circadian rhythm.
- Safe sleep space: When your baby falls asleep while being held or resting on your shoulder, always move them to their crib or bassinet before you fall asleep yourself. This ensures they are in a safe sleep environment.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns and needs may vary. Always follow your baby's cues and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or questions about their sleep or overall well-being.
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Sleep patterns are unpredictable
Newborns generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period but in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They do not know the difference between day and night and need to be fed every two to three hours in the first month and every three to four hours in the second month. As a result, newborns sleep at all hours of the day and night, and their sleep patterns are unpredictable.
Newborns are usually the most unsettled during their first three months, with the longest periods of crying happening during the late afternoon and evening. Crying is their main way of communicating, and it can be difficult to soothe them. They also go through a stage of increased crying from approximately two weeks to three to four months, which peaks around six to eight weeks.
While it is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn, trying to establish a strict sleep schedule or routine in the first month is fruitless. Instead, it is recommended to follow your baby's cues and feed them on demand. However, you can start to follow a routine by establishing consistent eating, playing, and sleeping patterns.
To encourage good sleep habits, you can start teaching your baby the difference between day and night once they are about two weeks old. Keep the house bright and don't worry about minimising daytime noises during the day, and interact and play with them. At night, keep the lights and noise levels low, and keep any interactions boring and quiet.
Additionally, getting outside into daylight, especially in the morning, will help your newborn learn to tell day from night and start to get on a more predictable schedule.
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Crying is a newborn's main way of communicating
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, they do not know the difference between day and night and sleep in short bursts, usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. This is because newborns need to be fed often, and their stomachs are very small. They wake frequently to eat and then fall back to sleep. This is known as a "wake window", which is as short as 30 minutes for a newborn but will lengthen as they grow.
There are several techniques to soothe a crying baby. Firstly, ensure that their basic needs are met by checking if they are hungry, have a dirty diaper, or need to be burped. Then, try rocking or walking with the baby, singing or talking to them, offering a pacifier, or taking them for a ride in a stroller. Holding the baby close and taking slow, calm breaths can also be soothing for them. Creating a calm environment by keeping the lights low and interacting with the baby quietly may help them settle. Additionally, giving the baby a warm bath or gently massaging them can be comforting.
It is important to remember that all babies cry a lot, and it is not caused by anything the caregiver did or did not do. Caregivers should ask for help if needed to ensure they can continue taking good care of the newborn. If a baby is crying constantly and cannot be consoled, it may be a sign of illness, especially if they have other symptoms such as a high temperature, rapid breathing, or a rash. In this case, contact a health professional for advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, some sources state that newborns should get a total of about 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a day.
Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They may sleep for up to four hours at a time, but this is unusual.
Newborns need to be fed frequently, about every two to three hours in the first month and every three to four hours in the second month. They may feed even more frequently when going through a growth spurt.
Trying to establish a sleep schedule in the first few weeks is fruitless. Newborns haven't yet developed their circadian rhythm, so their sleep patterns are unpredictable. Most sources recommend waiting until your baby is between three and six months old to establish a sleep schedule.
It is important to create positive sleep associations and avoid negative ones. For example, holding your baby until they fall asleep may result in them needing to be held to fall asleep in the future. Getting outside into the daylight, especially in the morning, will also help your newborn learn to tell the difference between day and night. Additionally, always place your baby on their back to sleep, and keep their sleep space clear of blankets, toys, pillows, and bumpers.
