Herbie Murray
A two-week-old baby should sleep for about 16 to 20 hours a day, including naps. However, this is just an average, and sleep times and durations will vary from baby to baby. It is normal for newborns to have irregular sleep patterns as they have not yet developed an internal 24-hour rhythm. They also rely on external comfort to fall and stay asleep. It is recommended that babies always be placed on their backs to sleep and that they sleep in the same room as their parents, but not in the same bed, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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What You'll Learn
A 2-week-old baby should sleep 14-20 hours in a 24-hour period
A 2-week-old baby should sleep for 14 to 20 hours in a 24-hour period. This sleep can be spread out over many naps throughout the day and night, and it is normal for newborns to wake up multiple times throughout the night. At this age, babies have not yet developed the ability to self-soothe, so they rely on external comfort to fall and stay asleep. It is recommended that parents feed their babies on demand and ensure they are comfortable and safe to promote sleep.
During the first two weeks, it is important for parents to rest when their babies sleep and accept help from others. Newborns may experience weight loss initially, but they should regain this weight by the time they are two weeks old. It is also common for newborns to cry for two to three hours per day, starting after the second or third week and peaking at six weeks.
The sleep schedule of a 2-week-old baby can be unpredictable, with sleep times and durations varying. Their longest stretch of awake time may occur at night, and their daytime sleep may be unpredictable, with short naps throughout the day. It is recommended to look at the total sleep over a 24-hour period to evaluate if they are getting enough rest. Keeping track of the baby's overall mood, energy levels, and growth can also be helpful.
To ensure safe sleep for a 2-week-old baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing them on their backs to sleep and using a ""hip-healthy" swaddling technique. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is advised for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is important to keep the baby's sleep area free from hazards, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, and other items that may pose a risk of suffocation or entanglement.
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Daytime sleep is unpredictable, with 5-6 hours spread over many naps
A two-week-old baby's sleep schedule is likely to be unpredictable, with daytime sleep in particular varying from infant to infant. A newborn baby will sleep for around 16-20 hours a day, with sleep times and durations varying from baby to baby. This is normal, and it's important to remember that every baby is different.
During the day, your two-week-old baby may sleep for 5-6 hours spread over many naps. Their longest stretch of awake time may be at night, and their wake periods during the day may increase as the day goes on. A typical wake period for a two-week-old baby is around 30-90 minutes, with the shortest amount of time awake likely to be in the morning.
It's completely normal for a two-week-old baby to wake up multiple times throughout the night, and they may need help to fall back asleep. This is because they need to feed often and seek comfort. It's recommended that babies are placed on their backs to sleep, and that they sleep in the same room as their parents, but not in the same bed, to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
If you're concerned about your baby's sleep, it can be helpful to look at their total sleep over a 24-hour period and keep tabs on their overall mood and energy levels. You can also try keeping a sleep chart to compare their sleep with general information about baby sleep needs.
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Nighttime sleep is irregular, with frequent waking expected
At two weeks old, your baby's sleep schedule will likely still be unpredictable, with sleep times and durations varying. During the night, it is completely normal for a two-week-old to wake up multiple times. Frequent waking is expected as babies need to feed often and seek comfort. They also haven't yet developed the ability to self-soothe, so they rely on external comfort to fall and stay asleep.
It is recommended that you feed your newborn on demand when they show hunger cues, whether they are bottle-fed or breastfed. It can be hard for hungry babies to sleep, so ensuring their tummies are full can help them get the sleep they need. If you are concerned about whether your newborn is getting enough to eat, a good indicator is their number of wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Usually, babies have 5-6 wet diapers per day.
It is important to note that babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, whether swaddled or not. This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The AAP also recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, as this keeps the baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night.
While it can be challenging, it is recommended that you try to put your baby down when they are drowsy but not quite asleep so they can learn from an early age to fall asleep on their own. This will help them avoid having sleeping problems when they are older. During the night, allow your baby to learn to fall asleep on their own after you have ensured that they are not hungry, wet, or uncomfortable.
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Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep
At two weeks old, a baby's sleep schedule will likely still be unpredictable. Sleep times and durations will vary, and it is normal for newborns to wake multiple times throughout the night. A typical wake period for a 2-week-old may be around 30 to 90 minutes, with daytime sleep being unpredictable but spread over many naps. According to the National Sleep Foundation, infants up to 3 months old should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period.
Now, here are some reasons why babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep:
Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Other Sleep-Related Deaths:
Placing babies on their backs to sleep is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Research has shown that sleeping on their backs provides airway protection and greatly reduces the risk of choking on vomit, which is more likely to occur when babies sleep on their tummies or sides.
Safe Sleeping Position:
The back sleep position is the safest sleep position for all babies, including those born preterm and those with reflux, until they are one year old. Side sleeping is not recommended as babies can easily roll onto their stomachs, which is the position associated with the highest risk for SIDS.
Brain Development:
Researchers believe that SIDS may occur when an infant's airway becomes blocked, and the part of their brain that would normally wake them up isn't developed enough or isn't functioning properly. Placing babies on their backs allows their brains to develop sufficiently, enabling them to shift position if they experience breathing difficulties.
Comfort and Adjustment:
Even if babies seem less comfortable or sleep more lightly on their backs, it is still recommended to maintain this sleeping position. Most babies adjust to sleeping on their backs quickly, and waking up during the night is developmentally normal.
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A newborn's longest sleep period may start after 10 pm
A newborn baby's sleep schedule is unpredictable and inconsistent. Newborns sleep in bits and pieces, waking up throughout the day to feed. During the first two months, newborns sleep for 14 to 18 hours a day, and this is usually in fragments rather than long consolidated stretches. A newborn's daytime wake/sleep cycle is 45 to 60 minutes of awake time, followed by one to two hours of napping.
At two weeks old, a baby's longest stretch of awake time may be at night, around 10 pm or later. This is because a baby's wake window is the longest before bedtime. A baby's wake window is the amount of time they can stay awake between naps. At two weeks old, a typical wake period may be around 30 to 90 minutes.
It is important to be responsive to a newborn's sleepy cues, feeding needs, and nap lengths. Sleepy cues will help you determine when your baby is ready for sleep. A newborn's longest sleep period may start after 10 pm because their sleep is still so irregular.
A newborn's sleep schedule will vary, and this is normal. It is recommended that newborns be placed on their backs to sleep and that caregivers remain awake and closely supervise the baby if they are being held or snuggled for sleep. Creating a consistent sleep schedule for your baby can keep naptime and bedtime habits more regular and help your baby sleep better. However, this is usually done when the baby is about two months old, as this is when their internal clock becomes more predictable.
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Frequently asked questions
Your 2-week-old baby should sleep for about 16-20 hours a day.
A typical wake period for a 2-week-old may be around 30-90 minutes.
Daytime sleep will be unpredictable at 2 weeks old, though you may see 5-6 hours spread over many naps.
Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep. It is also important to use a "hip-healthy" swaddling technique, allowing your baby's legs to bend up and outward freely to prevent hip dysplasia.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
