Miya Pearson
As a new parent, it's normal to worry about your baby's sleep patterns. At six weeks old, your baby should be getting around 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with more than half of those hours overnight. However, it's important to remember that there is a wide range of normal sleep patterns, and some babies may need more or less sleep than others. During this stage, your baby's sleep may still be unpredictable, with naps ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. They may also wake up multiple times overnight for feedings and comfort. To help your baby sleep, pay attention to their sleepy cues and wake windows, which can indicate when they are ready for a nap. It's also important to establish a bedtime routine and ensure a safe sleeping environment to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period |
| Sleep cycle | Unpredictable; may wake up multiple times overnight for feeding and comfort |
| Nap duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Wake windows | 30-90 minutes |
| Sleeping position | Placed on their back on a firm, flat surface |
| Room-sharing | Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for at least the first 6 months |
| Bed-sharing | Not recommended due to increased risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths |
| Soothing techniques | Offer a pacifier, but don't force it; recognize signs of sleep readiness and teach self-soothing |
| Growth spurts | May affect sleep patterns, causing either increased or decreased sleep |
| Overstimulation | Too much stimulation can make it harder for the baby to settle |
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What You'll Learn
Recognising sleep cues and establishing a routine
At six weeks, your baby's sleep pattern is likely to be quite unpredictable. They may nap anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and they will typically wake up multiple times overnight for feeding and comfort.
Recognising sleep cues
At this age, paying attention to sleep cues and wake windows can help you determine when your baby is ready for sleep. A typical wake window may be around 30-90 minutes, and your baby's longest period of awake time may be before bedtime. Look out for signs that your baby is ready for sleep, such as rubbing their eyes or face, staring into space, yawning, or becoming fussy.
Establishing a routine
It's important to be consistent with your baby's routine and your responses. Creating a bedtime routine is a good idea, but don't let your baby fall asleep in your arms, as this may become a pattern. Instead, put your baby down in their crib or bassinet when it's time for them to sleep. If they wake during the night, keep activity to a minimum—keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. Change or feed them, and then return them to their crib or bassinet.
Safe sleeping
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months, and ideally until your baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom, rather than in a separate room. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Dealing with sleep problems
If your baby is having trouble sleeping, it could be due to a growth spurt, teething, or illness. Speak to your health visitor if you need advice about getting into a routine. If your baby is crying inconsolably, try the "colic carry": lay your baby on their tummy on your forearm, cradling their head in your hand.
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How much sleep they need
At six weeks old, your baby's sleep pattern is likely to be unpredictable. Naps may vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and newborns typically wake multiple times overnight for feeding and comfort.
At this age, your baby should be getting a total of 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, with more than half of those hours overnight. Sleeping through the night at this stage is considered a stretch of 5 to 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. However, it's important to note that there is a wide range of normal sleep patterns, and some babies may need more or less sleep.
To help your baby sleep, pay attention to their sleepy cues and wake windows. A typical wake window at six weeks is around 30 to 90 minutes, gradually increasing to 45 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes by two months. Sleepy cues include rubbing their eyes or face, staring into space, yawning, or becoming fussy.
It's also important to establish a consistent bedtime routine. This can include activities such as rocking or breastfeeding to help your baby fall asleep. However, avoid letting your baby fall asleep in your arms, as this may become a pattern that disrupts their ability to fall asleep independently.
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months, ideally until the baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room. This arrangement allows for easy feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night while reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related hazards.
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Safe sleeping practices
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 your baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of in a separate room. This arrangement allows you to keep your baby nearby, making it easier to feed, comfort, and monitor them during the night. While room-sharing is considered safe, bed-sharing is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related dangers such as strangulation, suffocation, and entrapment.
Sleep surface and position
Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface. This recommendation applies whether your baby is swaddled or not. Placing your baby on their back reduces the risk of SIDS, aspiration, and choking. Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over, which can occur as early as 2 months. Use "hip-healthy" swaddling methods that allow your baby's legs to bend up and out naturally to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Avoid placing your baby on their stomach or side. Once your baby can roll comfortably in both directions, you can let them sleep in the position they choose.
Sleep environment
Keep the sleep environment safe by removing any hazards that could pose a risk of strangulation or injury. Avoid items with cords, ties, or ribbons that could wrap around your baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners. Ensure that hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords are out of your baby's reach. Do not let your baby fall asleep on products not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. Do not use sleep positioners or monitors that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Sleep schedule and routines
At 6 weeks, your baby's sleep schedule may still be unpredictable, with naps ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Newborns typically wake up multiple times overnight for feedings and comfort. Recognize signs of sleep readiness, such as rubbing eyes, staring into space, yawning, or becoming fussy. Establish a bedtime routine, but be prepared to change it as your baby grows and goes through different stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep. If your baby wakes during their intended sleep time, keep activity to a minimum by keeping the lights low and avoiding playing or talking with them.
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Growth spurts and sleep
At six weeks, a baby's sleep is likely to be pretty unpredictable. Naps may vary in length from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and newborns usually wake up multiple times overnight for feeding and comfort. This can be exhausting for caregivers, but it's important to remember that it's normal for a baby's sleep to be irregular at this age.
Growth spurts are a normal part of a child's development and can occur at various stages of their growth. During a growth spurt, a baby may experience changes in their sleeping patterns, becoming fussier, taking longer naps, or waking up more frequently at night to eat. Growth spurts can also lead to increased hunger, which may result in disrupted sleep.
Typically, growth spurts in babies last for a few days to a week. During this time, it's important to adapt your baby's routine to meet their needs. Offer additional feedings and encourage nap times throughout the day to ensure they get the required amount of sleep.
Infants up to 3 or 4 months old need 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. During a growth spurt, your baby may sleep more than usual, or their sleep may become more disrupted due to increased hunger.
If your baby is going through a growth spurt, be flexible with their sleep schedule. For example, if they take an additional nap, or if they skip a nap, consider offering an earlier bedtime, ideally no earlier than 6:00 PM.
Growth spurts can be taxing for caregivers, but they are a natural and important part of your baby's development. Remember that every baby is unique and will experience growth spurts at their own pace.
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Co-sleeping and room-sharing
At six weeks old, your baby's sleep is likely to still be pretty unpredictable, with naps ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. Newborns also typically wake multiple times overnight for feeding and comfort.
Co-sleeping is when a parent and child sleep in close social or physical contact with each other. There are two types of co-sleeping: room-sharing and bed-sharing. Room-sharing is when your baby sleeps in your bedroom, in their own crib, bassinet, or play yard. Bed-sharing is when parents and infants sleep together in a bed, couch, or chair.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is because the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is highest during this period. Room-sharing keeps your baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring them at night. While room-sharing is safe, putting your baby to sleep in bed with you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
If you are room-sharing, make sure that your baby sleeps on a firm, flat, and level surface. Remove any soft or plush items like pillows, comforters, quilts, or blankets from the bed. Dress your baby in a sleeper instead of using blankets. Keep your baby's sleep space clear and ensure their face and head are uncovered.
If you are bed-sharing, never fall asleep with your baby on a couch, chair, or rocker. Make sure your bed's mattress is firm and that your baby cannot become trapped between the mattress and the bed frame or wall.
Sleepy cues and wake windows
At six weeks, paying attention to your baby's sleepy cues and wake windows can help you determine when they are ready to sleep. A typical wake window may be around 30 to 90 minutes at this age. Sleepy cues include your baby rubbing their eyes or face, staring off into space, yawning, or becoming fussy.
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Frequently asked questions
Babies up to 3 or 4 months old need 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, usually waking every two to four hours to eat. At 6 weeks, sleep is unpredictable, with naps ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Recognise signs of sleep readiness, such as yawning or rubbing their eyes, and teach your baby to fall asleep on their own. You can also comfort them when they wake up by keeping the lights low and avoiding playing or talking to them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, or ideally, until your baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface, as recommended by the AAP. Avoid placing them on their stomach or side.
Keep your baby safe by removing any hazards, such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that could wrap around their neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners. Do not let your baby fall asleep on products that are not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers.
