Gina Johnson
Newborns typically sleep a lot during the day and night, with their sleep spread out into smaller chunks. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. During this time, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. While there is no set schedule for newborn sleep, they generally sleep about 8 to 9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night, adding up to 11 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually 20-50 minutes long
Newborns sleep in short bursts, usually 20 to 50 minutes long. This is because they have yet to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, or what adults know as a "circadian rhythm", to tell them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. In addition, newborns have tiny tummies, so they get hungry not long after feeding and need to wake up to eat.
During these short sleep bursts, newborns go through different sleep cycles, consisting of active sleep and quiet sleep. In the active sleep phase, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. On the other hand, during the quiet sleep phase, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even.
At the end of each sleep cycle, newborns typically experience a quiet alert phase, where they are very still and awake but taking in their surroundings. This progresses to the active alert phase, where they become more attentive to sights and sounds and move actively. Finally, they enter the crying phase, where their bodies move erratically and they may cry loudly.
It is important to note that newborns may not always wake up when they feel hungry, especially if they are younger than one month old. Therefore, it is recommended to wake your baby up to feed every 3 to 4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
In the first few weeks, it is normal for newborns to sleep for about 1-2 hours at a time, with some sleeping a little more or less. They may sleep for up to 19 hours a day, including naps, in small chunks or on an irregular schedule. On average, newborns sleep about 8-9 hours during the day and 8 hours at night.
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Newborns sleep a lot during the day and night, waking only for feedings
Newborns typically sleep a lot during the day and night, waking only for feedings. Their sleep patterns are irregular, with short bursts of sleep and wakefulness, and they may sleep for only about 1-2 hours at a time. This is perfectly normal and is an important part of their growth.
During the first few weeks, newborns are still developing an internal 24-hour rhythm, or "circadian rhythm," to distinguish between night and day. As a result, they may get their days and nights confused, thinking they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day. To help your newborn develop a sense of this rhythm, expose them to light and gently play with them during the day. At night, maintain a dim and quiet environment, keeping the lights low and avoiding the urge to play or talk to your baby.
Newborns have tiny tummies, so they need to wake up frequently to feed, typically every 2-4 hours. Breastfed babies should be fed more frequently, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies can go a bit longer, typically 3-4 hours. It is important to ensure your newborn is getting enough food and gaining weight. If your baby is not waking up when they feel hungry, you may need to gently wake them to feed. This is especially important for babies younger than 4 weeks old, who should not go longer than 4-5 hours without food.
In addition to feeding, newborns may also wake up due to crying. Crying is a newborn's primary means of communication, and they may cry for various reasons, such as needing help to feed, change, or settle back to sleep. It is important to respond calmly and consistently to your newborn's cries and try to soothe them.
While it can be challenging to manage a newborn's sleep, it is essential to prioritize their feeding needs and create a safe and comfortable sleep environment. Remember that every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to newborn sleep.
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Newborns sleep for 11-17 hours a day in their first year
Newborns sleep for 11 to 17 hours a day in their first year, but this is usually spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night. Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period and do not know the difference between day and night. Newborns need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods. In the first few months, newborns cry a lot – it is their main way of communicating. From approximately 2 weeks to 3-4 months of age, newborns go through a stage of increased crying, which will be at its worst at 6-8 weeks of age.
It is important to establish a safe sleep environment for your newborn. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. Always place your baby to sleep on their back, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use have been approved by the relevant safety authorities.
There is no set schedule for newborn sleep, and many newborns confuse day and night. It may take a few weeks for your baby's brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. You can help your newborn learn the difference between night and day by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night. Keeping things calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and nappy changes will also help to send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is generally recommended that you wake your newborn every 3-4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.
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Newborns sleep more than they are awake, up to 19 hours a day
Newborns tend to sleep a lot during the day and night, and it is quite normal for them to sleep up to 19 hours a day. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually 20 to 50 minutes long. During the first few weeks, it is common for newborns to wake up to feed and then go right back to sleep. They might sleep for only about 1-2 hours at a stretch.
Newborns have different sleep patterns because they have tiny tummies and need to feed every few hours. They also do not have established sleep-wake rhythms like adults. Their sleep patterns are not an exact science, and every baby is different. Newborns can't tell the difference between day and night, and it takes time for them to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm.
During the first few months, newborns are still learning to self-soothe, and they rely on their caregivers to rock, cuddle, and sing to them to settle down. They may also experience increased crying, which is their primary way of communicating their needs.
To help your newborn sleep more at night, expose them to light and gentle play during the day. Provide a dim and quiet environment at night, and keep interactions minimal to signal that nighttime is for sleeping. It is important to prioritize their feeding needs and establish a bedtime routine that includes activities like bathing, reading, and singing.
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Newborns sleep in two types of sleep: REM and non-REM
During the first week, newborns sleep a lot—generally around 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period—but in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes. This is because they do not have established sleep-wake rhythms yet.
Non-REM sleep is the initial stage of sleep and consists of four substages: NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, and NREM-4. Each substage has distinct characteristics and is vital for physical restoration and growth. NREM-1, also known as transitional sleep, helps babies transition from wakefulness to sleep. During this stage, babies may appear drowsy and exhibit random movements and muscle twitches. NREM-2 is a light sleep stage that follows NREM-1. NREM-3 and NREM-4 are deep sleep cycles, when it is hard to wake a baby. Non-REM sleep is important for supporting the rapid physical and cognitive growth that occurs during infancy.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. They spend more time asleep than awake, sleeping up to 19 hours a day. Generally, newborns sleep about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and about 8 hours at night.
In the first couple of weeks, it is normal for a newborn to wake up to feed and then go right back to sleep. If your newborn is sleeping for longer than 19 hours a day, this could be a sign that they are ill or having feeding difficulties. Consult a doctor if you are concerned.
Newborns can’t tell the difference between day and night. You can help them learn by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing, as this increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. Always place your baby to sleep on their back, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Keep soft toys, pillows, blankets, and other items out of the crib or bassinet.
