Miya Pearson
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed. They sleep for a total of 14-17 hours a day, sometimes up to 18-19 hours. During the first few weeks, newborns will only fall asleep in their parents' arms or when they are standing by the cot. It takes a few weeks for a baby's brain to start differentiating between night and day. During this time, it is important to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes, keeping the lights low and refraining from playing or talking to the baby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep duration | Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. |
| Feeding | Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed more frequently (every 2-3 hours) compared to bottle-fed babies (every 3-4 hours). |
| Sleep patterns | Newborns follow their own sleep patterns and may sleep in short bursts or long stretches. They gradually learn the difference between night and day. |
| Room-sharing | The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of SIDS. |
| Sleep environment | The sleep environment should be safe and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It should include a firm, flat sleep surface with a snug-fitting sheet and no loose items. |
| Sleep position | Babies should always be placed on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. |
| Temperature | The room temperature should be comfortable, and the baby should be dressed appropriately to avoid overheating or getting too cold. |
| Winding down | A bedtime routine can help signal that it's time to sleep. This may include activities like reading a story, giving a warm bath, or singing lullabies. |
| Self-soothing | As babies grow older, they will learn to self-soothe and settle themselves back to sleep when they wake up during the night. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn sleep patterns and how they differ from older babies
Newborns sleep for around 14 to 19 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. They do not have a sense of day and night and will sleep whenever they are tired. Newborns also have two sleep stages: rapid eye movement (REM) or "active sleep", and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) or "quiet sleep". They spend roughly equal amounts of time in each stage.
Older babies, or babies over three months old, will start to develop a more adult-like sleep schedule, sleeping for longer periods at night and shorter periods during the day. They will also begin to experience four sleep stages: two non-REM stages, and two REM stages.
Newborns will sleep whenever and wherever they are tired, and it may take a few weeks for them to learn the difference between night and day. During the day, it is beneficial to expose them to light and play with them, and to keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Over time, they will learn that nighttime is for sleeping.
It is important to note that all babies are different and will have their own unique sleep patterns. Some may sleep for long periods, while others may take short naps. Some may sleep through the night, while others may wake up frequently. It is also common for a baby's sleep patterns to change as they grow and develop.
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How to create a safe sleep environment
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking up every few hours to feed. They need a lot of sleep—between 14 and 19 hours a day—and it can be hard for new parents to adjust to their baby's sleep schedule.
Room-sharing without bed-sharing
For at least the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you. This arrangement is called room-sharing, where the baby's crib or bassinet is placed in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery. Room-sharing helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring your baby at night. While room-sharing is considered safe, bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.
Safe sleep practices
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet that fits snugly over the mattress. Keep soft objects, such as toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, and bumper pads, out of the crib or bassinet. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and don't cover their head while they sleep. Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS. You can offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it.
Establish a bedtime routine
A simple and soothing bedtime routine can help your baby settle and sleep. This might include a warm bath, a story, or a cuddle. Try to put your baby down to sleep as soon as they show signs of tiredness, such as yawning or jerky movements. During the day, you can follow a "feed-play-sleep" pattern, where you feed and change your baby's nappy before playing with them and then putting them down to sleep.
Create a calm environment
Keep the lights low during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes, and avoid playing or talking too much with your baby. This will help your baby understand that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they associate it with sleep time.
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How to establish a sleep routine
Establishing a sleep routine for a newborn can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can try. Remember that every baby is unique, and it may take some time to figure out what works best for your little one. Here are some tips to help you establish a sleep routine:
Understand Newborn Sleep Patterns
Newborns sleep around the clock and wake up frequently to feed, regardless of the time of day or night. They need 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and some may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. Understand that newborns follow their own schedule, and it may take a few weeks for them to start distinguishing between night and day.
Create a Soothing Environment
Keep the environment calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Maintain low lighting, and avoid playing or talking too much with your baby. This helps reinforce the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. Additionally, ensure that all sleep products and surfaces are safe and approved by relevant consumer safety organizations.
Develop a Bedtime Routine
A simple and soothing bedtime routine can help your baby settle. This might include activities such as giving your baby a warm bath, reading a story, singing lullabies, or cuddling. A consistent routine will help your baby understand that it's time to sleep.
Feed-Play-Sleep Pattern
During the day, a good pattern to follow is "feed-play-sleep." After a feed and diaper change, your baby will likely be alert and ready to play. Engage with them before putting them down to sleep. This pattern can help your baby associate nighttime with sleep and establish a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Be Flexible and Adapt to Your Baby's Needs
Every baby is different, and their sleep patterns will vary. Be prepared to adapt your routine as your baby grows and enters different developmental stages. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all impact your baby's sleep, so remain flexible and responsive to their changing needs.
Prioritize Safety
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and ensure they sleep on a firm, flat surface with a snug-fitting sheet. Keep soft objects, loose bedding, and pillows away from the sleep area to prevent accidental suffocation or strangulation. Additionally, dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating.
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Room-sharing without bed-sharing
For the first few months of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share. This is when you place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate nursery. This keeps the baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months of a baby's life, and ideally up to one year of age, to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to the AAP, the best place for a baby to sleep is in his parents' bedroom, in his own crib or bassinet, safely attached to the bed. However, the baby should not sleep in the same bed as the parents due to the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Research shows that babies who room-share beyond 4 months of age are four times more likely to be pulled into their parents' bed during the night, and two times more likely to have pillows, blankets, and other unsafe sleeping materials close by during sleep. Additionally, babies who room-share tend to sleep less soundly than those who sleep independently.
To ensure a safe sleep environment for your baby, always place them on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. It is also important to keep the room dark, cool, and quiet, and to use a sound machine to help your baby adjust to sleeping in the crib.
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How to settle a newborn to sleep
Newborns sleep around the clock, waking every couple of hours to feed. They need 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation, though some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day.
Settling a newborn to sleep
- Keep things calm and quiet: Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes. Keep the lights low and don't play with or talk to your baby.
- Let them fall asleep in their crib: Let your baby fall asleep in their crib at night so they learn that it's the place for sleep.
- Don't keep them awake during the day: Don't try to keep your baby awake during the day in the hope that they will sleep better at night.
- Rock, cuddle and sing: If your newborn is fussy, it's OK to rock, cuddle and sing to them as they settle.
- Swaddle: Wrapping your baby in a light blanket can help to soothe them. Stop swaddling when they start trying to roll over.
- Room-sharing: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months, or ideally, until your baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of in a separate room. This helps with feeding, comforting and monitoring at night.
- Safe sleep environment: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Keep soft toys, pillows, blankets, quilts and other items out of the crib or bassinet. Dress your baby for the room temperature and don't cover their head while they're sleeping.
- Feed-play-sleep: A good daily pattern to follow is 'feed-play-sleep'. After a feed and nappy change, your baby will probably be alert and happy, so this is a good time to play with them before putting them down to sleep.
- Wind down: Before bedtime, spend some time winding down with calm activities, like reading a story or giving your baby a warm bath or a massage.
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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 follow their own schedule, so it's important to be flexible. A good pattern to follow is 'feed-play-sleep'. Put your baby down to sleep as soon as you notice their tired signs, such as frowning, yawning or jerky movements. You can also try to time your baby's activities to suit your schedule.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. 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. Keep soft objects, loose bedding, and pillows away from your baby's sleep area. Dress your baby for the room temperature to avoid overheating.
Newborns wake up repeatedly in the night to feed and may have trouble sleeping if they are too hot or too cold. Growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can also affect how your baby sleeps.
