Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is a common concern for new parents, and it can be a confusing topic. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night yet, so they sleep and eat around the clock. They may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period, with the rest of the time spent sleeping or feeding. This can be a challenging adjustment for parents, who may feel exhausted and overwhelmed. However, it's important to remember that every baby is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to newborn sleep. In the first few weeks, you and your baby will start to settle into a routine, and you can begin to implement strategies to improve their sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | 11-19 hours a day in the first year |
| Sleep schedule | No set schedule at first; newborns may have their days and nights confused |
| Wakefulness | Awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period |
| Feeding | Hungry every few hours; wake windows of 35-60 minutes in the first 4 weeks |
| Sleep cycles | Babies go through various stages of sleep, including REM sleep |
| Sleep environment | Approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meeting federal safety standards |
| Room-sharing | Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) without bed-sharing to reduce the risk of SIDS |
| Bedtime routine | Beginning a bedtime routine can help with sleep |
| Sleep position | Always place the baby on their back to sleep |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn sleep schedules and expectations
Newborns follow their own sleep schedule and tend to sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed. They do not have a sense of day and night, and it may take a few weeks for their brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm".
During the first few weeks, newborns may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period, with the rest of the time spent sleeping or feeding. Their sleep patterns can be unpredictable, with short naps and frequent wakings throughout the day and night.
From 6 weeks onwards, newborns may start to sleep more at night as they become more active during the day. They may sleep for longer periods of up to 6 hours at a time, but it is still normal and healthy for them to wake up to breastfeed once or twice per night.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to newborn sleep schedules. Some newborns do best with an early bedtime of 7:00-8:00 pm, while others thrive with a later bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm. It's important to find what works best for your baby and to be flexible as their needs change.
- Create a bedtime routine: Starting at 8-12 weeks, babies can begin to recognize routines, so establishing a consistent bedtime routine can set the foundation for healthy sleep habits.
- Safe sleep practices: Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards. Avoid bed-sharing, as it increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
- Room-sharing: Consider room-sharing without bed-sharing during the first few weeks. This keeps your baby nearby and facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night.
- Dress appropriately: Dress your baby according to the room temperature. A sleeper or sleep sack is usually sufficient, and some infants feel more secure when swaddled. Just be sure to remove the blanket before they fall asleep.
- Keep things calm: During middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, maintain a quiet and calm environment. Keep the lights low and avoid playing or talking too much, signaling that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Crib association: Encourage your baby to fall asleep in their crib at night to associate it with sleep.
- Avoid keeping them up during the day: Forcing your baby to stay awake during the day in the hopes of better nighttime sleep can be counterproductive. Instead, let them sleep as they need to.
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How much newborns sleep
Newborns sleep around 14 to 17 hours over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day. Newborns wake up every couple of hours to feed, and their sleep patterns can vary each day. They don't have a sense of day and night yet, so they sleep and wake up around the clock.
During the first few weeks, newborns may only be awake for a total of 6 to 10 hours in a 24-hour period, with most of that time spent feeding and diapering. Their wake windows (the time they are awake between naps) may only be 35 to 60 minutes in the first four weeks, and short naps are common.
It's important to remember that every baby is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to newborn sleep. As long as your baby seems happy and well-rested most of the time, try not to worry too much about their sleep schedule, especially in the beginning. Things will get easier as you and your baby adjust to your new life together.
In terms of creating a sleep schedule, it's worth noting that babies start to recognize routines as early as 8 to 12 weeks old. Some newborns do best with an earlier bedtime, around 7:00 to 8:00 pm, while others thrive with a later bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm.
To ensure your baby's safety, make sure all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing, as bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related dangers. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
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Newborn sleep patterns
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking only to feed every few hours. They do not yet have a sense of day and night and can only stay awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period. Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.
During the first few weeks, newborns may only be able to stay awake for 35-60 minutes at a time, and they may experience day-night confusion, wanting to sleep during the day and staying awake at night. Their sleep patterns begin forming during the last few months of pregnancy, with active sleep first, followed by quiet sleep by about the eighth month.
Newborns have different sleep cycles, with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is light sleep when dreams occur and the eyes move rapidly, while non-REM sleep has four stages of increasing depth. Babies may awaken as they move from deep to light sleep and may have difficulty falling back asleep in the first few months.
While there is no set schedule for newborn sleep, it is important to establish a bedtime routine, with a consistent bedtime between 7:00 and 10:00 pm. It is also recommended that newborns sleep in the same room as their parents for the first few months, in a separate crib or bassinet to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
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How to put your newborn to sleep
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed. They do not yet have a sense of day and night, and it will take a few weeks for their brains to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm. During this time, you can help them distinguish night from day by keeping things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby to reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
In the first few weeks, newborns may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period, with most of that time spent feeding and diapering. They may sleep for just 30 minutes to three hours at a time and will wake up many times throughout the day and night.
It is important to establish a safe sleep environment for your newborn. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products have been approved by the relevant safety authorities in your country.
Babies start to recognize routines as early as 8-12 weeks old. Beginning a bedtime routine with your newborn can set you up for sleep success moving forward. Some newborns do best with an early bedtime of 7:00-8:00 pm, while others are content with a later bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm. It's all about finding what works best for your baby.
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. As your baby gets older, their sleep will become more predictable, and they will start to sleep through the night.
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Safe sleep practices
Newborns follow their own schedule and have yet to develop a sense of day and night, so they sleep and wake up at all hours. They also wake up frequently to feed, as their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long. 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.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Make sure that all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
- A safe crib is a bassinet, play yard, or crib that has spindles no wider than 2-3/8 inches apart and sides that do not drop down.
- Never use soft bedding, comforters, pillows, loose sheets, blankets, sheepskins, toys, positioners, or bumpers in the crib or sleep area. These could cause your baby to suffocate.
- Babies should not sleep on adult beds, couches, armchairs, or other soft sleep surfaces – they should be on a firm, flat, and level mattress in their own sleep space.
- Do not let your baby sleep in a car seat, stroller, or swing, as they may not be able to keep their airway open. If they fall asleep in one of these devices, move them to a safe sleep place as soon as possible.
- Room-sharing is recommended, as it helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. However, bed-sharing is not safe, as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
- Use a sleep sack or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.
- Do not use products that claim to reduce the risk of SUIDS, such as wedges or baby positioners, as these have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
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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 18-19 hours a day. Newborns wake up every few hours to feed and may only be awake for a total of 6-10 hours in a 24-hour period.
Newborns wake up every 2-4 hours to feed, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3-4 hours.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night yet, so it may take a few weeks for their brain to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm". During this time, it's important to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, and to let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
