Miya Pearson
Managing a newborn's sleep schedule can be challenging for new parents. Newborns sleep a lot, around 14 to 18 hours a day, but in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours, as they need to feed frequently. They also don't have a sense of day and night yet, so they sleep and wake throughout the 24-hour cycle. Over the first few weeks to months, newborns start to develop a routine and differentiate between night and day. This is when their sleep patterns become more predictable, and they may start sleeping through the night between 4 and 6 months old. To help newborns establish healthy sleep patterns, parents can follow some simple steps, such as keeping things calm and quiet during nighttime feeds and diaper changes, creating a soothing sleep environment, and teaching them that nighttime is for sleep and daytime is for fun and interaction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | Newborns sleep a lot, ranging from 11 to 19 hours a day. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns follow their own schedule and don't have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. |
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep in short bursts of 2-4 hours between feeds, both night and day. |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up every 2-4 hours to feed. Breastfed babies may feed more frequently (every 2-3 hours) than formula-fed babies (every 3-4 hours). |
| Daytime habits | It's important to keep newborns active and engaged during the day. Try to keep them awake after they feed, but it's normal for them to nap during the day. |
| Nighttime environment | Keep the lights low and minimize stimulation during nighttime feeds. This helps teach newborns that nighttime is for sleeping. |
| Self-soothing | After the first month, encourage self-soothing by putting your baby to bed when they fall asleep while feeding. |
| Sleep surface safety | Ensure all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). |
| Flexibility | Be flexible and follow your baby's lead. Watch for cues and body language to understand their needs for sleep, feeding, or interaction. |
| Bonding | Bonding is vital for your newborn's development and well-being. Cuddling, holding, and talking to your baby create a sense of security and can help soothe them to sleep. |
| Predictable patterns | Around 2 months old, a newborn's sleep starts to consolidate, and they may sleep through the night between 4 and 6 months. |
| Individual differences | Every baby is different, and their sleep patterns will vary. Some sleep for long periods, while others sleep in short bursts. |
| Parental well-being | Caring for a newborn can be emotionally challenging due to sleep deprivation. It's important for parents to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep a lot, up to 19 hours a day
Newborns sleep a lot—up to 19 hours a day in the first few months of their lives. During this time, newborns follow their own schedule and sleep in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours, waking up to feed. Breastfed babies may need to feed every 2 to 3 hours, while formula-fed babies may go for 3 to 4 hours between feedings.
As a newborn's stomach is tiny, it cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long, so they wake up frequently to eat. They also do not have a sense of day and night yet and have to be taught the difference. To help your newborn establish a healthy sleep pattern, keep 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.
You can also try to keep your newborn awake after they feed during the day by keeping them busy and active. However, don't worry if they do fall asleep, as it's important to be flexible and follow your baby's lead. Every baby is different, and they will let you know when they need sleep. Watch for common signs that they feel tired, such as fussiness or crankiness, and put them to bed before they become overtired, as this can make it harder for them to fall and stay asleep.
In the first few months, newborns may sleep more during the day than at night. If your newborn has gone more than 4 hours without eating during the day (3 hours for breastfed babies), you may need to wake them up to feed at night. However, it's generally better to try to change their daytime habits rather than keep waking them up every few hours at night.
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Babies don't have an internal clock to tell night from day
To help your newborn establish a healthy sleep pattern, it's important to keep things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking with your baby to signal that nighttime is for sleeping. During the day, ensure your baby is exposed to plenty of natural light, which boosts alertness and helps set their internal clock.
You can also establish a bedtime routine to help your baby understand when it's time to sleep. Dimming the lights around the house in the evening is a great external cue. Keeping the lights low and the environment quiet during night-time feedings reinforces that nighttime is for sleeping.
In the first few months, it's normal for your baby to sleep a lot during the day and be more active at night. This is because they are still developing their internal clock and regulating their sleepy hormones. Newborns sleep around 14 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, usually in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours between feeds.
It's important to watch your baby's cues and respond accordingly. If your baby is showing signs of tiredness, don't wait until they are overtired to put them to bed, as this can make it harder for them to fall and stay asleep.
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Rocking, cuddling, and singing can help settle newborns
Newborns follow their own schedule and will sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to feed. They do not yet have an internal "clock" that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. They will sleep for about 14 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours.
Cuddling and comforting a newborn will make them feel safe and secure. Newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness. The timeless tradition of rocking a newborn to sleep is foundational for many aspects of their early development. Rocking most closely resembles the familiar, comforting sensations of the womb.
Bonding between you and your newborn is a vital part of their development and wellbeing. The first few months of a baby's life is the time to get to know their needs for sleep, feeds, play, and settling. You can use responsive settling to help your baby fall asleep. With newborn sleeping and feeding, the key is being flexible and following the baby's lead. Their cues and body language will help you understand whether they want to sleep, feed, or interact with you. It is okay to go with whatever feels right at the time.
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Newborns sleep in short bursts, 2-4 hours, both day and night
Newborns sleep in short bursts, typically 2-4 hours, both day and night. This is because their tiny stomachs cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for longer, so they wake up frequently to eat. Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.
During the first few weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share, which involves placing the baby's crib in the same room as the parents. This arrangement facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring during the night. It is important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing to ensure the baby's safety.
To help your newborn establish a healthy sleep pattern, you can start teaching them as early as two weeks old that nighttime is for sleep and daytime is for fun and interaction. During the day, keep your baby active and engaged, and try to keep them awake after feedings. However, don't worry if they do fall asleep, as it's normal for newborns to take frequent naps.
At night, keep the environment calm and quiet. When you enter the room for feedings or diaper changes, keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking with your baby. This will reinforce the association between night-time and sleep. Additionally, try to let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn to associate it with sleep.
It's important to be flexible and follow your baby's lead when it comes to sleeping and feeding. Pay attention to their cues and body language, which will indicate whether they want to sleep, feed, or interact. It's okay to go with what feels right at the time and create a simple routine that works for both you and your baby.
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Responsive settling and a simple routine can help newborns sleep
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 18 hours a day—but only in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours. They also don't yet have an internal "clock" that tells them the difference between night and day, so they wake often to feed. This can make it challenging for new parents to get a full night's rest.
Responsive settling is a technique that involves responding to your baby's need for comfort while also helping them fall asleep. It gives your baby the comfort and sense of safety and security they need to feel calm and settled and ready for sleep. Responsive settling can also help with independent settling and sleep later on when your baby is developmentally ready.
- Look for tired signs. If your baby isn't tired, they might need a cuddle or more play.
- Make sure your baby is well-fed and has a clean, dry nappy.
- Keep the room calm and comfortable. A quiet, dim environment often helps babies settle.
- Try hands-on settling techniques such as gentle patting or rocking your baby.
- If your baby is very upset, it's okay to stop and give them a cuddle.
- If you start to feel angry or upset, put your baby somewhere safe, like their cot, and take a moment to calm yourself.
In addition to responsive settling, establishing a simple routine can also help your newborn sleep. Here are some tips for creating a routine:
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes.
- Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night. Instead, let them fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
- Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.
- If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need more advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor or pediatrician.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. Newborns sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours.
Your baby will let you know when they need sleep. Some common signs that they feel tired include:
- Rubbing their eyes
- Yawning
- Looking away
- Fussiness
- Pulling at their ears
Newborns often need help settling to sleep. You can use responsive settling techniques such as rocking, swaddling, or singing to help your baby fall asleep. You can also try to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby.
It's important to be flexible and follow your baby's lead. You can try a simple routine of feed, play, sleep, but always watch your baby's cues and respond accordingly. Once your baby's sleep starts to become more predictable, you can try to consolidate their sleep into larger chunks at night.
