Colin Snow
Establishing a sleep schedule for a newborn can be challenging for new parents. During the first few weeks, newborns may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period, spending most of their time sleeping or feeding. The average newborn sleeps about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night, but this can vary from 11 to 19 hours of sleep per day. Newborns take naps lasting 1-4 hours throughout the day and night, with feedings every few hours. As they grow, their sleep patterns begin to form, and by 8-9 weeks, their sleep may become more predictable due to the release of hormones melatonin and cortisol following a circadian rhythm.
Characteristics of a normal sleep schedule for a newborn
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total sleep in 24 hours | 11-19 hours |
| Daytime sleep | 8-9 hours |
| Nighttime sleep | 8 hours |
| REM sleep | About half of the total sleep time |
| Nap length | 1-4 hours |
| Time between naps | 2-3 hours |
| Wake windows | 35-90 minutes |
| Sleep position | On their back |
| Sleep surface | Firm, flat, free of toys, pillows, blankets, etc. |
| Sleepwear | Dressed for the room temperature |
| Sleep routine | Feed before they reach the crying phase |
| Sleep environment | Safe, without products that claim to reduce SIDS risk |
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What You'll Learn
There is no set sleep schedule for newborns
Newborns take naps spaced throughout a 24-hour period, with each nap lasting between one and four hours. Between naps, newborns wake up to feed. Breastfed babies may need to feed every two hours, while formula-fed babies may go for three hours between feedings. 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.
During the first 4 weeks, newborns' wake windows (the time they are awake from one nap to the next) may only be 35–60 minutes. In the first few months, babies may awaken as they pass from deep sleep to light sleep and may have difficulty going back to sleep. They also have differences in how alert they are during the time they are awake. When a newborn awakens at the end of the sleep cycle, there is typically a quiet alert phase during which the baby is very still but awake and taking in their environment. This phase usually progresses to the active alert phase, in which the baby is attentive to sights and sounds and moves actively.
Sleep patterns begin forming during the last months of pregnancy, with active sleep first, then quiet sleep by about the eighth month. Babies have various stages and depths of sleep, and there are two types of sleep: REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM. REM sleep is light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly, and non-REM sleep has four stages of increasing depth. Babies spend about 16 hours a day sleeping, about half of which is in REM sleep.
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Newborns sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day
Newborns typically sleep between 11 and 19 hours a day. However, this can vary, with some newborns sleeping for a total of around 8 hours a day, while others may sleep for up to 18 hours a day. During the first few weeks or months, newborns will sleep at various times during a 24-hour period, with each nap lasting between one and four hours.
Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to be fed every few hours and will wake up to be fed. They may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period, with most of this time spent feeding and being changed. It is recommended that newborns are woken every 3-4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain, which is usually within the first couple of weeks. After this, it is okay to let them sleep for longer at night.
Newborns do not follow a sleep schedule linked to the time of day and may have their days and nights confused. They think they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day. This can be frustrating for new parents, who may worry when their child is awake for much of the night and sleeps for most of the day. However, it is normal for newborns to have erratic sleep schedules.
It can take a while for infants to develop a sense of day and night, and they tend to sleep during long naps. They will not sleep through the night until they are older, usually when they are at least three months old, weigh 12-13 pounds, and have larger stomachs that can accommodate more food. Some babies do not sleep through the night until closer to one year.
There are ways to help your baby sleep and establish a routine. You can look out for signs of sleep readiness and teach your baby to fall asleep on their own. It is important to provide a safe and comfortable sleep environment. For example, always place your baby on their back to sleep, use a firm, flat sleep surface, and keep the room at a comfortable temperature to avoid overheating.
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Erratic sleep schedules are normal
Newborns follow their own erratic sleep schedules, and this is perfectly normal. In fact, newborns don't follow a sleep schedule linked to the time of day for the first two months of their lives. Instead, they take naps lasting one to four hours throughout a 24-hour period, waking up to feed in between. Breastfed babies may need to feed every two hours, while formula-fed babies may go for three hours between feedings.
During the first few weeks, newborns may only be awake for a total of six to ten hours in a 24-hour period, with most of that time spent feeding and diapering. Their wake windows (the time they are awake from one nap to the next) may only be 35 to 60 minutes in the first four weeks, and about 60 to 90 minutes for babies aged four to twelve weeks.
The amount of sleep newborns need can vary widely, ranging from as few as 11 hours to as many as 19 hours of sleep every day. Some newborns sleep for a total of around eight hours a day, while others may sleep up to 18 hours a day.
It can be hard for new parents to know how long and how often a newborn should sleep. Newborns have small stomachs and must wake every few hours to eat, and they often confuse day and night in their first few months. They may settle into a routine after a few weeks or months, but it is normal for them to wake up frequently during the night to feed in their first three months.
Parents can help their baby sleep by recognising signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing a safe and comfortable sleep environment.
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Sleep cycles and patterns
Newborns typically sleep for a total of 8 to 18 hours a day, with a wide range of normal sleep durations. They sleep in short or long bursts, and it is unlikely that they will sleep through the night due to their tiny stomachs requiring frequent feeding. Newborns may sleep for about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night, with feedings every few hours. Most newborns do not sleep through the night (6 to 8 hours) until at least 3 months of age or when they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. However, this varies, and some babies may not sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.
During the first few weeks to months, newborns follow their own schedules and gradually settle into a routine with their caregivers. In the initial 2 months, newborns take naps lasting 1 to 4 hours throughout a 24-hour period, with feedings in between. Breastfed babies may feed more frequently, approximately every 2 hours, while formula-fed babies may go up to 3 hours between feedings.
Newborn sleep patterns include active sleep and quiet sleep. Active sleep involves rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a light sleep stage characterised by eye movements and dreaming. REM sleep accounts for about half of a newborn's total sleep time. Non-REM sleep, on the other hand, has four stages of increasing depth: drowsiness (stage 1), light sleep with movement and potential startling (stage 2), deep sleep (stage 3), and very deep sleep (stage 4). During the sleep cycle, newborns typically progress through these stages in order, then back through stages 3, 2, and REM.
Hormones such as melatonin and cortisol influence newborn sleep and wake patterns. Around 8 to 9 weeks of age, the release of these hormones starts to follow a circadian rhythm, making sleep patterns more predictable. However, individual differences exist, and some newborns may start sleeping through the night (5 to 6 hours) by 2 to 3 months, while others may take longer.
It is important to note that newborns should not be put to bed with a bottle propped for feeding, as this can lead to ear infections and choking hazards. Additionally, they should not be left to sleep in sitting devices like car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. Establishing a bedtime routine is beneficial, but it is crucial to avoid letting the baby fall asleep while eating or in someone's arms, as this may become a persistent pattern.
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Safe sleep environment
Newborns tend to sleep for much of the day and night, waking only for feedings every few hours. While there is no set schedule at first, newborns typically sleep about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night. They may sleep through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking from around 3 months old, or once they weigh 12 to 13 pounds.
Sleep Position
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of SIDS, suffocation, and strangulation.
Sleep Surface
Use a firm, flat sleep surface. Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly, and avoid using anything else in the crib or bassinet, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads. A firm surface helps reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation or strangulation.
Room-Sharing vs Bed-Sharing
While room-sharing is safe and may even reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%, putting your infant to sleep in the same bed as you is not. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Avoid Sleep Aids and Soft Items
Do not use products or devices that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners (like wedges or incliners) or monitors that detect vital signs. No known products can actually do this. Also, avoid loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items in the sleep space. Instead of a blanket, dress your baby for the room temperature, avoiding overbundling and ensuring their head is uncovered.
Feeding
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 them sleep for longer periods at night.
Approved Products
Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use are approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards. For example, in the US, products should be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Avoid Seating Devices
Don't let your baby fall asleep on products not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers.
Weighted Products
Avoid using products labelled as weighted, including weighted sleepers, swaddles, sleep sacks, and blankets, as these are not safe for infants.
Breastfeeding and Smoking
If possible, breastfeed your baby and avoid smoking.
Remember, erratic sleep schedules are normal in newborns, and it may take a few weeks or months for you and your baby to settle into a routine.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns can sleep for as little as 11 hours or as much as 19 hours a day. This can be in short or long bursts.
Yes, newborns can confuse night and day. They may sleep a lot during the day and be awake for much of the night.
Newborns may sleep for 8 hours at night. However, they often wake up every few hours to feed.
You can help your newborn sleep by establishing a bedtime routine and learning to recognise signs of sleep readiness.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and ensure the baby's head does not get covered while they are sleeping. Also, avoid using products that are not designed for sleeping babies, such as car seats or feeding pillows.
