Gina Johnson
Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 14 to 19 hours a day—but they do so in short bursts of 2 to 4 hours, waking up to eat and then falling back asleep. This can be a challenging time for parents, who have to tend to their newborn multiple times a night. While newborns don't have an internal clock that tells them to sleep at night and stay awake during the day, parents can start to teach them the difference between night and day from as early as two weeks old. In the first few weeks, it's best to respond to a newborn's needs for sleep and feeds, but as they get older, parents can start to establish a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for their baby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep around 14-17 hours a day, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours. |
| Feeding | Feed every 2-4 hours, depending on the baby's hunger cues. Breastfed babies typically feed more frequently (every 2-3 hours) than bottle-fed babies (every 3-4 hours). |
| Routine | It may take a few weeks for newborns to develop a sense of day and night. A bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing can help signal the end of the day. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns can form regular sleep patterns after a few months. It is important to watch for signs of tiredness and establish a sleep routine that works for the baby. |
| Sleep environment | The sleep environment should be safe and approved by the relevant safety standards. It is recommended to room-share without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. |
| Self-soothing | Encourage your baby to fall asleep on their own by putting them down while drowsy but still awake. Avoid rocking your baby to sleep to prevent them from relying on it to fall back asleep. |
| Daytime activities | Keep things busy and active during the day to help teach the difference between day and night. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn sleep patterns
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.
Newborn sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long and consist of active 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. At the end of the sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase where the baby is very still but awake and taking in the environment. This usually progresses to the active alert phase, where the baby is attentive to sounds and sights and moves actively. After this is the crying phase, where the baby's body moves erratically and they may cry loudly.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. For example, holding your baby until they fall asleep may create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep. Newborns should be fed before they reach the crying phase, as they can become so upset that they may refuse to be fed.
In the early months, it is best to respond to a newborn's needs for sleep and feeds. You can help your baby sleep by recognizing signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. After the newborn period, most experts recommend allowing your baby to become sleepy in your arms and then placing them in their bed while they are still awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own. Playing soft music while your baby is getting sleepy is also a good way to help create a bedtime routine.
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How to establish a sleep routine
Establishing a sleep routine for your newborn can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Understand Newborn Sleep Patterns
Newborns typically sleep around 15 to 18 hours a day but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. They don't yet have an internal "clock" that distinguishes night from day. As a result, you might notice your newborn sleeping more during the day and being active at night.
Watch for Sleep Cues
Your baby will exhibit signs when they're feeling sleepy. Look out for common cues like eye-rubbing, yawning, or crankiness. Putting your baby to bed before they become overtired will help them fall and stay asleep more easily.
Teach the Difference Between Night and Day
From the early weeks, teach your baby that nighttime is for sleep and daytime is for fun and activity. During the day, keep the lights on, open the windows, and maintain a lively atmosphere. At night, turn down the lights, speak softly, and move more slowly and calmly.
Create a Bedtime Routine
Establish a calming bedtime routine to help signal to your baby that it's time for sleep. This could include turning down the lights, playing soft music or white noise, reading a story, giving your baby a soothing bath, or singing a lullaby.
Adjust as Your Baby Grows
Remember that your baby's sleep patterns will change as they grow. Be prepared to adapt your routine as they enter different stages of development. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep, so be patient and flexible.
Get Support
Taking care of a newborn can be exhausting. If you have a partner, ask them to help with feedings or early morning duties so you can get some rest. If you're on your own, consider asking a friend or relative to stay with you for a few days to share the load.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep routines. Pay attention to your baby's cues and adjust your approach as needed.
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Sleep safety
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. In the early months, it’s best to respond to your newborn’s needs for sleep and feeds. Your baby will let you know when they need sleep. Watch out for common signs that they feel tired, such as crankiness.
- Sleep environment : Create a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation and strangulation. Use a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Keep the sleep space clear of loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items.
- Room sharing : Consider room sharing without bed sharing. Research shows that room sharing reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. It also makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring the baby easier.
- Breastfeeding : If possible, breastfeed your baby. It is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
- Sleep position : Always place your baby on their back to sleep. This recommendation has significantly reduced the rate of sleep-related infant deaths.
- Avoid smoking : Smoking increases the risk of SIDS.
- Safe sleep surfaces : Avoid soft sleep surfaces, such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, air or pillow-top mattresses, quilts, and sheepskins. Babies sleeping on top of soft surfaces or with soft items are at a higher risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
- Avoid bed sharing : Do not let your baby sleep on an adult bed, couch, or armchair by themselves, with others, or with pets. Couches and armchairs are especially dangerous if an adult falls asleep while feeding or comforting the baby.
- Respond to your baby's needs : Follow your baby's lead when it comes to sleep, feeds, and play. Pick them up, cuddle them, and talk to them when they are unsettled or crying. You cannot spoil your baby by giving them attention and comfort.
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Daytime habits
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. In the early months, it is best to respond to your newborn's needs for sleep and feeds. Follow your baby's lead when it comes to a routine for feeds, sleep and play.
- In the first few weeks, your baby will sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to feed.
- Newborns 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.
- Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less frequently, about every 3-4 hours.
- Offer feedings according to hunger cues. In the evenings, cluster feeding can be normal and developmentally appropriate.
- If your baby is sleeping more during the day than at night, you may need to wake them up for their daytime feeds. It is better to change their daytime habits than to keep waking them every few hours at night.
- Keep things busy and active for your baby during the day. Try to keep them awake after they feed, but don't worry if they fall asleep for a nap.
- Try to stay a step ahead by looking for signs that they're getting sleepy before they become cranky.
- Teach your baby that night-time is for sleep and daytime is for fun.
- Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hopes that they will sleep better at night.
- Get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise.
- If your baby is fussy, it's okay to rock, cuddle and sing as your baby settles down.
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Sleep and growth
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. In the early months, it is best to respond to a newborn's needs for sleep and feeds. Follow the baby's lead when it comes to a routine for feeds, sleep and play.
The amount of sleep a baby needs depends on several factors. In general, babies sleep about 15 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. Premature babies may sleep longer, while colicky babies may sleep less. As early as 6 weeks of age, you may start to notice more regular sleep patterns. Your baby may now sleep as long as 4 to 6 hours, usually during the night.
It is important to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime from the start. During daylight hours, keep things busy and active for your baby. Try to keep them awake after they feed, but don't worry if they nap anyway. When it's dark outside, make everything more low-key. Keep the lights low and your voice soft if you have to feed them.
Several studies have found a positive association between sleep and physical growth in infants. The secretion of growth hormones is known to increase after sleep onset and during slow-wave sleep, which may stimulate bone growth. This could explain the phenomenon of "growing pains", where children experience aching limbs that wake them at night.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns sleep a lot, and they can form regular sleep patterns after just a few months. Babies sleep between 14 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of 2 to 4 hours. Premature babies may sleep longer, while colicky babies may sleep less.
In the early months, it's best to respond to your newborn's needs for sleep and feeds. Follow your baby's lead when it comes to a routine for feeds, sleep and play. You can start to teach them that nighttime is for sleep 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.
Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards. You can swaddle your baby (wrap them in a light blanket) to help them feel secure, but stop swaddling when they start trying to roll over. Rocking, cuddling, and singing can also soothe a crying baby.
