Gina Johnson
Newborns typically sleep for 14 to 20 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. It is common for newborns to confuse night and day, and they need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm. During the first few weeks, newborns are primarily focused on eating and sleeping, and they are learning about the world through their senses while bonding with their caregivers. It is important to ensure that newborns sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface, and room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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What You'll Learn
It's normal for newborns to sleep up to 20 hours a day
It's completely normal for newborns to sleep up to 20 hours a day. In fact, newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. During the first few months, newborns will have short and long periods of sleep, along with frequent wakings for feeding and comfort. Newborns wake up a lot because their stomachs are tiny, and they get hungry not long after feeding. This is normal and an important part of their growth.
Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less frequently, typically every 3–4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3–4 hours to eat 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.
It's important to note that there is a wide range of what is considered normal when it comes to newborn sleep. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day, while others may sleep for shorter periods. Each baby has a different sleep pattern, and some start to sleep through the night (for 5–6 hours at a time) by 2–3 months of age, while others may take longer.
In terms of sleep position, newborns should always sleep on their back unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing newborns on a firm, flat surface for all sleep, including naps. Once your baby can roll independently in both directions, you won't need to reposition them if they roll during sleep.
To establish a healthy sleep environment, ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Keep the crib free from any items that could pose a hazard, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, and crib bumpers. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and do not cover their head while sleeping.
Additionally, room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended by the AAP for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room, which facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night.
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Newborns should always sleep on their back
It is normal for newborns to sleep for most of the day during their first two weeks of life. They are still adjusting to life outside the womb, and it is exhausting work. During this time, newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. They also need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. This is what adults know as a "circadian rhythm".
To ensure your newborn sleeps safely, use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, including plush toys, pillows, blankets, and quilts. Keep your baby away from smokers, as secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS. Offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If you're breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is firmly established.
It is also important to note that, in the first few months of life, your child will likely have short and long periods of sleep along with plenty of wakings for feedings and comfort. This is normal, and you can expect your baby to sleep for 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period. You can help your baby develop a healthy sleep schedule by keeping interactions dark and quiet overnight for activities like feedings and diaper changes to signal that nighttime is for sleep. On the other hand, keeping your baby's environment bright and noisy during the day may help too.
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Sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger
At two weeks old, your baby's sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger. During this time, newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. This is because they are still adjusting to life outside the womb, which can be exhausting. Newborns also can't tell the difference between day and night and need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm".
At this age, you can expect your baby to stay awake for around 30 to 90 minutes at a time. They will be focused on eating and sleeping and will need to eat frequently throughout the day and night to get enough nourishment. Their stomachs are still very small, so they can only consume 1 to 2 ounces per feeding.
It can be challenging to differentiate between hunger and sleep cues in newborns. For example, a baby sucking on their fingers may be seeking sensory input to help them calm down and fall asleep, rather than indicating that they are hungry. Other early sleep cues include tugging on the ears, staring, frowning, and red eyebrows. Physical signs of drowsiness include closing fists, yawning, making jerky movements, and sucking on fingers. Hunger cues include rooting, lip-smacking, sucking on fists, and showing interest in the breast or bottle.
To help your baby develop a healthy sleep pattern, it is recommended to keep interactions dark and quiet overnight for activities such as feeding and diaper changes. In contrast, keeping the environment bright and noisy during the day may help signal that daytime is for being awake. It is also important to pay attention to your baby's mood and energy levels each day, as their overall demeanor can indicate if they are getting enough rest.
As your baby grows, they will develop a more regular sleep schedule. Infants up to three months old should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. By the time they are four months old, they should be sleeping 12 to 16 hours a day, including naps.
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A newborn's stomach is very small, so they need to eat frequently
Newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. They can wake up once or twice, or as often as six times, and this is normal. Sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger at two weeks, so there won't be a specific sleep schedule or number of naps at this time.
A newborn's stomach is very small, so they can only consume 1 to 2 ounces per feeding. Because of this, they need to eat frequently, both during the day and at night, to get enough nourishment. If you're breastfeeding, you should feed your baby every two to three hours. If you're bottle-feeding, your baby can go a bit longer between feedings, typically three to four hours. Some babies may feed more frequently, and some less. It's important to listen to your infant's hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule.
Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand system, in which an "order" for more milk is communicated with the hormone prolactin. When a baby is suckling at the breast, a mother's prolactin levels increase. But prolactin levels are highest about 30 minutes after a baby has started suckling. This is because the rise in prolactin isn't for the current feed—it's putting in a request for milk for the next feed.
If you're concerned about whether your newborn is getting enough to eat, a good indicator can be their number of wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Usually, babies have 5 to 6 wet diapers per day.
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A flexible routine is better than a rigid schedule
A two-week-old baby will spend most of their time sleeping and feeding, with their stomach still being very small, and they can only consume 1 to 2 ounces per feeding. They need to eat frequently during the day and at night to get enough nourishment. This means that they will sleep for a large portion of the day.
At this age, you can expect your child to stay awake for around 30 to 90 minutes at a time. During this time, you can feed your baby, change their diaper, and do some tummy time before they are ready to sleep again. This is normal newborn behaviour, and you are doing everything right.
Instead of focusing on the number of hours your baby sleeps, it is more important to keep an eye on their mood and energy levels each day. Their overall demeanour can be a great way to gauge if they are getting enough rest.
A simple, flexible routine can help your baby and make you feel more in control. For example, you can try a routine of feed, play, sleep, but it is important to watch your baby's cues and respond accordingly. If your baby shows signs of tiredness soon after feeding, it is time for them to sleep, even if you haven't had much time to play.
It is also important to be consistent with your bedtime routine to signal the end of the day. You can bathe, read, or sing to your baby, and they will soon associate these steps with sleeping. However, it is not recommended to rock your baby to sleep, as they may expect this every time they wake up during the night. Instead, try putting your baby into a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake so they can learn to fall asleep on their own.
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Frequently asked questions
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 18–20 hours a day.
Babies at this age are still adjusting to life outside the womb, which is exhausting work! They also need to eat frequently, both during the day and at night, as their tummies are very small.
Newborns can't tell the difference between day and night. They need time to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm". You can help them learn the difference by keeping things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, and ideally until the baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room. The AAP also recommends that newborns always sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface.
You can try rocking, cuddling, and singing to your baby. Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can also help to soothe them. Bathing, reading, and singing can also signal an end to the day and soothe your baby to sleep.
