Evie Summers
Newborns sleep for around 14 to 18 hours a day, but they wake up frequently as they need to be fed. As a newborn's stomach is tiny, they get hungry not long after feeding. This is a normal part of their growth and development. Newborns also don't have a sense of day and night, and it takes a few weeks for their brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm. Therefore, it is important to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as their parent(s) for the first six months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day |
| Sleep patterns | Babies' sleep patterns vary, with some sleeping more or less than others |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up frequently to feed, with breastfed babies feeding every 2-3 hours and bottle-fed babies feeding every 3-4 hours |
| Co-sleeping | It is not recommended to co-sleep if the baby was born prematurely, had a low birth weight, or is unwell |
| Safe sleeping environment | The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as the parent, with no toys, pillows, or loose bedding that could cover the baby's mouth or nose |
| Mattress | The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, fitting snugly in the cot with no gaps to prevent the baby's head from getting trapped |
| Bedding | Baby sleeping bags or sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below the baby's shoulders are safe options |
| Room temperature | Maintain a safe room temperature to prevent the baby from getting too hot or too cold, which can disturb their sleep |
| SIDS prevention | Babies should always be placed on their back to sleep, and products claiming to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors, are not recommended |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep patterns and duration
The sleep patterns and duration of newborns vary from baby to baby. Newborns sleep on and off through the day and night, with a total sleep duration of around 11 to 19 hours a day. Some newborns sleep for 5 to 8 hours or longer at night, but this is not the case for all babies. Generally, newborns sleep for about 8 to 9 hours during the day and about 8 hours at night.
Newborns have different sleep cycles from adults, with more 'active' or REM sleep. A newborn's sleep cycle starts with active sleep, then moves to quiet sleep, and finally, REM sleep. The sleep cycle has four stages: Stage 1: drowsiness, where the eyes droop and may open and close; Stage 2: light sleep, where the baby moves and may startle or jump with sounds; Stage 3: deep sleep, where the baby is quiet and does not move; and Stage 4: very deep sleep, where the baby remains quiet and still. Babies spend about half of their total sleep time in REM sleep, which is important for their growth and development.
As newborns have smaller stomachs, they need to wake up every few hours to be fed. They will usually sleep in short stretches of 1 to 3 hours due to hunger and the need to be changed regularly. After 8 weeks, their sleep patterns will start to respond more to light and dark, and they may begin to sleep for longer. Most babies start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) by at least 3 months of age, but this can vary, and some babies don't sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.
It is important to note that newborns should sleep in the same room as their caregiver for the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket, with a firm, flat, and waterproof mattress. Baby sleeping bags or sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below the baby's shoulder are safe options. Swaddling, or wrapping newborns snugly in a blanket, can help them feel safe and fall asleep, but it should be discontinued after 2 months to avoid the risk of hip dysplasia and SIDS.
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Safe sleepwear and bedding
Newborns sleep for around 14 to 18 hours a day, including naps. They wake up frequently to feed and may sleep for only a few hours at a time.
The Lullaby Trust promotes the ABCs of safer sleep:
- A – ALWAYS sleep your baby on their back
- B – in a CLEAR cot or Moses basket, free of bumpers, toys and pillows
- C – in the same room as you for the first six months
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket. Make sure there are no toys or anything else that could cover their mouth or nose, or make them too hot. For this reason, avoid using cot bumpers, pillows and loose bedding.
The mattress should be firm, flat and waterproof. If you can, try to buy a new mattress rather than second-hand. You can re-use a mattress from your own home as long as it has been stored somewhere clean, dry and smoke-free. Check the mattress is firm enough by making sure your baby's head does not sink into the mattress by more than a few millimetres. If the mattress is not firm enough, your baby may find it difficult to lose heat and could overheat.
Sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below your baby's shoulder level or a baby sleeping bag are safe for your baby to sleep in. If you use blankets, lie your baby on their back with their feet at the bottom of the cot or Moses basket. Baby sleeping bags can help to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as they prevent babies from wriggling underneath their bedding. Just make sure it fits well around the shoulders so there's no risk of your baby's head slipping into the bag.
Sleeping pods or nests are not advised as they have raised or cushioned areas. Babies should not have anything soft near their heads as this can cause them to overheat and increases the risk of SIDS.
Do not co-sleep with your baby if you are extremely tired, or your baby has a fever or any signs of illness. It is not recommended to co-sleep if your baby was born premature or had a low birth weight. Falling asleep on a sofa or chair with your baby can increase the risk of SIDS substantially.
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Safe sleep locations
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The Lullaby Trust promotes the ABCs of safer sleep: ALWAYS sleep your baby on their BACK in a CLEAR cot or sleep space (free of bumpers, toys and pillows).
Baby sleeping bags can help to reduce the risk of SIDS, as they prevent babies from wriggling underneath their bedding. Just make sure it fits well around the shoulders so there's no risk of your baby's head slipping down into the bag. If you use baby blankets instead of a sleeping bag, lie your baby on their back with their feet nearest the foot of the cot or Moses basket. Sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below your baby's shoulder level are also safe for your baby to sleep in.
The mattress should be firm, flat and waterproof. If you can, try to buy a new mattress rather than second-hand. You can reuse a mattress from your own home as long as it has been stored somewhere clean, dry and smoke-free. Check the mattress is firm enough by making sure your baby's head does not sink into the mattress by more than a few millimetres. If the mattress is not firm enough, it can make it difficult for them to lose heat and they can become too hot.
For at least the first 6 months, your baby should be in the same room as you when they're asleep, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of SIDS. You should never co-sleep with your baby if you are extremely tired, or your baby has a fever or any signs of illness. It is not recommended to co-sleep with your baby if they were born premature or had a low birth weight.
Pushchairs, also known as strollers and buggies, are only suitable for young babies if they have fully reclining seats so your baby can lie flat. Wait until your baby can sit by themselves before using another type of pushchair. A carrycot is a light, portable cot with handles, similar to but smaller than the body of a pram, and often attachable to a wheeled frame. Your baby can sleep in the carrycot for the first few months, and the cot can be attached to the frame to go out.
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Safe sleep positions
Newborns sleep a lot, but they wake up frequently as they need to be fed. They also have yet to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, or "circadian rhythm", so they do not know the difference between day and night. As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep for longer.
- For at least the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, whether during the night or at nap time during the day. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
- The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you. Make sure there are no toys or anything else that could cover their mouth or nose, or make them too hot.
- The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof. If you can, try to buy a new mattress rather than second-hand. Check the mattress is firm enough by making sure your baby's head does not sink into the mattress by more than a few millimetres.
- Do not use pillows and duvets—they are not safe for babies less than a year old because of the risk of suffocation.
- Baby sleeping bags can help to reduce the risk of SIDS, as they prevent babies from wriggling underneath their bedding. Just make sure it fits well around the shoulders so there's no risk of your baby's head slipping into the bag.
- If you use baby blankets instead of a sleeping bag, lie your baby on their back with their feet nearest the foot of the cot or Moses basket.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep (not on their front or side).
- Do not co-sleep with your baby if you are extremely tired, or your baby has a fever or any signs of illness.
- Do not fall asleep on a sofa or chair with your baby, as this increases the risk of SIDS.
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Co-sleeping
If you choose to co-sleep, there are ways to reduce risks and make it safer:
- Place your baby on their back, which is the recommended sleeping position for babies.
- Ensure your baby's sleep space is clear of any items that could obstruct their airways or pose a strangulation risk, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, or jewellery.
- Keep your baby's sleep environment smoke-free, as exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke is harmful to babies and increases SUDI risk.
- Place your baby on the side of the bed, away from the edge and next to only one parent. Avoid placing your baby between parents or next to other children or pets to reduce the chance of your baby being covered by bedding or other individuals.
- Consider placing the mattress on the floor if there is a risk of your baby rolling off the bed.
- Avoid co-sleeping if you or your partner smoke, use alcohol or drugs, or take medication that causes heavy sleep or impairs your ability to respond to your baby.
- Do not co-sleep if you are extremely tired, as this can increase the risk of rolling over onto your baby.
- Co-sleeping is not recommended if your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight.
- Sleeping on a couch or chair with your baby is unsafe, as it can obstruct your baby's airways and lead to suffocation.
Baby sleeping bags or infant slings can be used as an alternative to co-sleeping while still allowing your baby to be close to you. These options can help reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping your baby's airways open and providing a safe, snug sleeping environment.
Frequently asked questions
Newborns need around 14 to 18 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. This can vary, as every baby is different.
Newborns wake up a lot because their tummies are tiny, and they get hungry soon after feeding. They wake up every couple of hours to feed.
The safest place for a newborn to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months. The mattress should be firm, flat, and waterproof, with no gaps where the baby's head can get stuck.
Newborns should be placed on their back to sleep, with no hats or hoods. They should be dressed in a baby sleeping bag with the correct tog rating for the time of year or layers of sheets and blankets tucked in firmly below the shoulders.
The safest sleeping position for newborns is on their back. It is not safe to let them sleep on their front or side, or in the same bed as their parents due to the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
