Ashwin Lewis
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 19 hours a day—but they wake up frequently to eat and can be restless sleepers. They don't have a sense of day and night, so it may take a few weeks for them to settle into a routine. To help your newborn sleep, try holding them in your arms and patting, rocking, or stroking them while talking or singing softly. You can also try swaddling them or giving them a massage. When it's time for bed, place them flat on their back in their crib without any loose bedding, pillows, or blankets to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of SIDS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns should get 14–18 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. Some newborns may sleep up to 19 hours a day. |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed more frequently (every 2–3 hours) compared to bottle-fed babies (every 3–4 hours). |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns follow their own sleep schedule and don't initially have a sense of day and night. They may sleep in short bursts or longer stretches. |
| Safe sleeping | Put newborns flat on their back in a crib without loose bedding, pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of SIDS. |
| Soothing techniques | Swaddling, rocking, singing, and massage can help soothe and calm a newborn before sleep. |
| Parent involvement | Parents can comfort their newborns by making soothing noises, holding them, or pretending to sleep themselves. |
| Sleep environment | Keep the environment calm and quiet during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Low lighting can also help signal that it's time for sleep. |
| Sleep associations | Encourage your newborn to associate their crib with sleep by letting them fall asleep there at night. |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep practices to prevent SIDS
Newborns sleep around the clock and wake up every few hours to feed. They get between 14 and 19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. It is important to feed them every 2-4 hours until they show good weight gain.
Safe sleep position
Place babies on their backs to sleep for all sleep times. Do not place them on their sides or stomachs, not even for a nap. The back-sleeping position reduces the risk of SIDS. If a baby can roll from back to stomach and vice versa, you can leave them in the position they choose after starting them on their back.
Safe sleep environment
The sleep surface (mattress) and the sleep space (crib, bassinet, or play yard) should meet safety standards. Avoid using wedges, positioners, or other products that claim to keep babies in one position or to reduce the risk of SIDS. These products are linked to injury and death, especially when used in a baby's sleep area. No product can prevent SIDS.
Swaddling
Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can help soothe a crying baby. If the baby starts trying to roll over, this is a sign to stop swaddling.
Spoiling is not a problem
Newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness.
Keep things calm and quiet
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 the baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
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Settling techniques
Responsive settling is a way to settle your baby when they are going to sleep. It involves responding to their comfort needs while helping them settle and sleep. It gives your baby the sense of safety and security they need for healthy development and wellbeing. Feeling safe and secure can help with independent settling and sleep later on when your baby is developmentally ready.
Babies give cues or signals when they're tired. If you learn to recognise these signs, you can encourage your baby to go to sleep at the right time. Babies from 0 to 3 months might start showing tired signs after 30 minutes of being awake. From 3 to 6 months, they might be tired after 1.5 to 3 hours of being awake.
- Hands-on settling: This can help your baby get used to falling asleep in their cot. It often involves rhythmic, gentle patting with your baby in their cot. Face your baby away from you, lying on their side. Place your hand gently on your baby’s shoulder. Cup your other hand, and pat your baby gently and slowly on the bottom or thigh. Make the patting as rhythmic as possible – for example, about the same rate as your heartbeat.
- Settling in arms: If hands-on settling isn’t working, you can try settling your baby in your arms. You can gently rock them until they're calm. If your baby gets upset when placed in the cot, comfort them until they're calm.
- Verbal reassurance: You could gently say ‘I’m here. Time to sleep’ or make ‘sh, sh’ sounds. You could even sing or hum a few words of a favourite song.
- Swaddling or wrapping: Swaddling or wrapping your baby can be a cue to tell them it is time to go to sleep. However, note that wrapping is not safe for babies who are starting to show signs of rolling onto their tummies (usually 3-4 months but it can be earlier).
- Create a safe sleep environment: A safe sleep environment reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. It involves your baby sleeping on their back, on a firm, flat and level surface, in a space that’s clear, not too hot and smoke-free.
- Start a bedtime routine: A bedtime routine is predictable and calming for your baby and can prevent sleep problems. It could include a bath, a story, a cuddle, or a massage.
- Keep the room dark or dimly lit and quiet: This can help your baby learn that night-time is different from daytime and that night is a good time to sleep.
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Daytime sleep
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 19 hours a day. They wake up every couple of hours to eat and will need to be fed 8 to 12 times over a 24-hour period. During the day, it's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise. Open the curtains, play games, and don't worry too much about everyday noises when they sleep. You can also keep them alert during daytime feedings by rubbing their back, playing with their toes, and undressing them so they don't get too cosy.
For at least the first six months, your baby should be in the same room as you when they're asleep, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. While room-sharing is safe, putting your baby to sleep in bed with you increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
During the day, you can try a simple routine of feed, play, sleep. Offer your baby a feed when they wake up, then change their nappy, talk, play, cuddle and interact with them, then put them back down for sleep. It's important to watch your baby's cues and respond. For example, your baby might show tired signs soon after a feed. If your baby is crying, first check whether they are sick, hurt or uncomfortable. If not, and if they have fed in the last 2 hours, cuddling and comfort are in order. You can try holding your baby in your arms with their head near your chest. Your baby will feel safe and secure when you interact with them in warm, loving and responsive ways.
It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to know the difference between night and day. You can help them learn by keeping 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.
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Night-time sleep
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and will sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They need 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation, though some may sleep up to 18 or 19 hours a day.
For at least the first six months, your baby should be in the same room as you when they sleep, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). You can place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of in a separate room. This is known as room-sharing and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Bed-sharing, however, is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS.
To help your newborn sleep at night, it's important to differentiate between night and day. Keep things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will help them understand that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they associate it with sleep time.
You can also try to establish a bedtime routine to help your baby settle. This could include calmer activities like reading, singing lullabies, or using a wind-up musical mobile. As your baby gets older, you can keep to a similar bedtime routine.
Additionally, you can try to keep your baby awake a little longer during each waking period during the day. This will help increase their need for sleep later. Get them outside in the natural light, which can help reset their internal clock. If you can't go outside, place their crib near a window that gets steady, bright light.
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Sleep patterns
Newborns do not have a sense of day and night and will sleep around the clock. They wake up every couple of hours to eat and will need to be fed throughout the night. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep for up to 18–19 hours a day.
Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed every 3–4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
Newborns follow their own sleep schedule and patterns. Some sleep for long periods, while others in short bursts. Some quickly sleep through the night, while others take much longer to do so. It may take a few weeks for a newborn's brain to distinguish between night and day. To help them understand the difference, keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will send the message that night-time is for sleeping.
It is a good idea to let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it is the place for sleep. You should also try to sleep when your baby sleeps. If you are breastfeeding, your baby is likely to doze off during a feed, so carry on feeding until they finish or fall asleep. This is a good opportunity for you to rest.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborn babies 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.
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to be fed. They will also wake up if they are too hot or cold.
Try holding your baby in your arms and patting, rocking or stroking them while talking or singing softly to them. Once they are calm, put them into their cot. You could also try swaddling (wrapping your baby in a light blanket) or giving them a massage.
Your newborn should sleep flat on their back in a crib, bassinet or play yard without any loose bedding, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or crib bumpers. Experts recommend room-sharing until your baby is at least 6 months old.
There are no tricks to speed up your baby's ability to distinguish between night and day. However, keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes can help. Try to keep the lights low and don't play with or talk to your baby.
