Miya Pearson
Newborns sleep a lot—up to 18 or 19 hours a day—but they wake up every few hours to eat. They don't have a sense of day and night, so they'll need to be fed around the clock. Newborns should sleep in a safe environment that lowers the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns sleep around the clock and wake up every few hours to eat. They should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. Each baby has a unique sleep pattern, with some sleeping through the night (5-6 hours) by 2-3 months, while others take closer to a year. |
| Sleep environment | A safe sleep environment is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation or strangulation. The baby should sleep in the same room as the parents, in a bassinet, crib, or cosleeper with a firm, flat, and level surface. |
| Sleep position | Putting a baby to sleep on their back is recommended as the safest position by experts. Side-sleeping and sleeping on the stomach, especially with soft bedding, increase the risk of SIDS. |
| Sleep aids | Swaddling, rocking, and singing can help soothe a crying baby. Devices like the SNOO Smart Sleeper provide womb-like sounds and motion to calm and prolong sleep. |
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Safe sleep environment
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night. As such, it is important to create a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, such as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that for the first 6 months of a baby's life, they should sleep in the same room as their parents. This proximity reduces the risk of SIDS. The baby's sleeping spot should have a wide base so it is not easy to knock over, a firm mattress with a snug fit, and sides at least 15 inches high measured from the mattress base.
The baby should be put to sleep on their back, as side-sleeping and sleeping on the stomach have a higher risk of SIDS. The sleep surface should be flat, firm, and level, like a table, rather than at an angle or inclined. Soft surfaces, loose bedding, and too many blankets increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths such as suffocation and strangulation.
Additionally, it is important to avoid bed-sharing, which is when a baby shares a sleep surface with an adult, another child, or a pet. This practice increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting your baby in your bed, move them to their own sleep area, such as a bassinet, as soon as you wake up.
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Sleep patterns
Newborns sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula, they wake up frequently to eat. They should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18 to 19 hours a day. Newborns wake up every two to four hours to feed, with breastfed babies feeding more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
Since newborns don't have a sense of day and night, they need to be taught how to fall asleep on their own. You can help your baby sleep by recognising signs of sleep readiness and providing a safe and comfortable sleep environment. Rocking, cuddling, and singing can help soothe your baby as they settle down, and swaddling can also be calming. However, if your baby starts trying to roll over while swaddled, it's time to stop.
It's important to establish a bedtime routine, but avoid letting your baby fall asleep while eating or in your arms, as this can become a pattern that they expect. Instead, put your baby down on their back to sleep or nap, as this is the safest position. Side-sleeping and sleeping on soft surfaces, loose bedding, or with too many blankets increase the risk of SIDS.
Additionally, certain sleep spots are unsafe for babies, including sleeping sitting upright in a car seat or infant carrier, using a sleep positioner, and sleeping in poorly designed slings or swings that keep the baby on an incline, restricting their breathing. The safest option is a crib with a firm, flat, and level surface, free from soft items and loose bedding that could cause suffocation or strangulation.
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Sleep positions
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night, and because their tiny stomachs do not hold enough breast milk or formula, they need to be fed often, no matter the time of day. 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.
The first few months can be the hardest for parents, who may have to get up many times during the night to tend to their baby. Each baby has a different sleep pattern, and there is a wide range of what is considered normal. Some babies start to sleep through the night (5–6 hours at a time) by 2–3 months of age, but some take closer to a year to reach this milestone.
The safest sleep position for a baby is on their back. Side-sleeping and sleeping on the stomach have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than back sleeping. Soft surfaces, loose bedding, and too many blankets also increase the risk of SIDS. A safe sleep environment lowers the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths.
Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can help to soothe a crying baby. If a swaddled baby starts trying to roll over, this is a sign that you can stop swaddling. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping your swaddled baby right by your bed, in a bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper for the first 6 months of life. The baby's sleeping spot should have a wide base (so it’s not easy to knock over), a firm mattress with a snug fit, and sides that are at least 15 inches high (measured from the mattress base).
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Sleep duration
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night. The National Sleep Foundation says newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, although some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day. Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less frequently, 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. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
Each baby has a different sleep pattern. Some start to sleep "through the night" (for 5–6 hours at a time) by 2–3 months of age, but some don't. It's important to keep your baby safe while they sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping your swaddled baby right by your bed, in a bassinet, crib, or cosleeper for the first 6 months. The baby's sleeping spot should have a wide base, a firm mattress with a snug fit, and sides that are at least 15 inches high.
Babies should be put to sleep on their back, as side-sleeping and sleeping on the stomach have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Soft surfaces, loose bedding, and overheating with too many blankets also increase the risk of SIDS. Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can help soothe a crying baby, but once they start trying to roll over, it's time to stop swaddling.
Babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may have difficulty going back to sleep in the first few months. They go through several sleep cycles, from stage 1 to REM, and may experience a quiet alert phase when they are still and awake but taking in their environment, responding to sounds and motion. This progresses to the active alert phase, where they are attentive to sights and sounds and move actively.
It's important to establish a bedtime routine and help your baby learn to fall asleep on their own. Recognizing signs of sleep readiness, such as fussiness or crying, is key. While it's okay to rock or cuddle your baby to settle them down, you don't want them to fall asleep in your arms every time, as they may start to expect this.
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Sleep aids
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They do not yet have a sense of day and night, so it's important to establish a bedtime routine to help them learn the difference. You can help your baby sleep by recognising the signs of sleep readiness, such as fussiness, and teaching them to fall asleep on their own.
Swaddling is a great sleep aid for newborns. It involves wrapping the baby in a light blanket to soothe them and help them feel secure. Just remember to stop swaddling when they start trying to roll over. You can also try rocking, cuddling, and singing to your baby as they settle down for sleep.
For the first six months, it's recommended to keep your swaddled baby close by, in a bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper. Having your baby in the same room as you is cozier and more convenient, allowing you to easily tend to their needs. It also reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). When choosing a sleeping spot, ensure it has a wide base, a firm mattress with a snug fit, and sides that are at least 15 inches high.
The sleep surface should be flat and firm, returning to its original shape quickly if pressed on. Avoid soft surfaces, loose bedding, and too many blankets, as these increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related issues like suffocation and strangulation.
The SNOO Smart Sleeper is a popular option, providing a unique swaddle that attaches to the bed, keeping babies safely sleeping on their back all night. It also features womb-like sounds and motion to calm crying and boost sleep duration.
Remember, every baby is unique, and you'll get to know their sleep patterns and preferences over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns like to sleep in a variety of places, including a bassinet, crib, cosleeper, or your bed. It is recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first 6 months of their lives as it reduces the risk of SIDS.
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While there is no known cause of SIDS, creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of SIDS. Soft surfaces, loose bedding, and the baby sleeping on their stomach have been linked to an increased risk of SIDS.
Safe sleep practices for newborns include putting them to sleep on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface. It is also important to remove all items and bedding from the area to reduce the risk of suffocation and strangulation.
Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period and may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. They wake up every few hours to eat and may start sleeping through the night (5-6 hours at a time) by 2-3 months of age.
To help newborns sleep, you can swaddle them, rock them, or sing to them. Establishing a bedtime routine is also a good idea.
