Herbie Murray
Newborns generally sleep between 11 and 18 hours a day, but this is usually spread out into smaller chunks throughout the day and night. They don't know the difference between day and night and don't have established sleep-wake rhythms. Newborns sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. As newborns mature, their sleeping patterns will too, with fewer REM cycles and more periods of deeper, quieter sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much sleep newborns need | 11-19 hours a day in their first year |
| How long newborns sleep at a time | 20-50 minutes, or 30 minutes to three hours at a time |
| How often newborns wake up | Every two to four hours |
| Why newborns wake up | To eat, or because they're uncomfortable |
| How to help newborns sleep | Swaddling, rocking, cuddling, singing |
| How to help newborns learn the difference between day and night | Exposing them to light and playing with them during the day, providing a dim and quiet environment at night |
| How to help parents get more sleep | Sharing feeding responsibilities, room-sharing (without bed-sharing), moving the bassinet farther away |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns sleep in short bursts
Newborns don't know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. Their tiny stomachs cannot hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, so they wake up often to eat—no matter the time of day or night. Newborns should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18 to 19 hours a day.
During the first few weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share, keeping the baby nearby in the same room to help with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night. 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 deaths.
In the first three months, newborns cry a lot as it is their main way of communicating. They may go through a stage of increased crying, which will be at its worst at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed every 3 to 4 hours 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.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. Some settling techniques may be challenging to maintain long-term, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep, which can create a negative sleep association. Instead, you can try swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket), rocking, cuddling, and singing to soothe a crying baby.
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Crying is a baby's main way of communicating
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. As a result, newborns wake up frequently during the night, often because they need to be fed or changed.
Babies also use other sounds, facial expressions, and body movements to connect with caregivers. Learning to recognize these is rewarding and strengthens the bond with the baby. Quick responses to a baby's cries let them know that they are safe and cared for. There may be times when all of the baby's needs are met, yet they continue to cry. This may be because the baby is overstimulated, tired, or just needs a good cry for no apparent reason.
During the first weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share. Room-sharing is when the baby's crib or bassinet is in the same bedroom as the parents, 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, as bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths.
As a baby develops, they will begin to communicate in different ways – with smiles, movement, and then by babbling. Although the amount that they cry is likely to increase during the first couple of months, it will then decrease as they are able to communicate in different ways.
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Babies' sleep patterns vary
Newborns generally sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, but this can be up to 19 hours and includes daytime naps. They wake up frequently during the night to be fed or changed, and they don't know the difference between day and night. Newborns follow their own schedule, and it can take a few weeks for their brains to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm or "circadian rhythm". During this time, they sleep in short bursts or sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. These sleep cycles consist of active sleep and quiet sleep.
Active sleep can be noisy and active, with babies moving around, making noises like grunts and cries, and sometimes even opening their eyes. This can be confusing for new parents, who may mistake this period of active sleep for their baby being awake. However, it is important to know that these are normal newborn active sleep behaviours. If you are concerned about your baby's breathing during active sleep, seek medical advice.
Quiet sleep is when newborns lie relatively still and their breathing becomes more even and quieter. As babies mature, they will experience fewer REM cycles and more periods of deeper, quieter sleep. It is beneficial to create positive sleep associations and a safe sleep environment for your newborn. This includes room-sharing without bed-sharing, as the latter increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths.
The first few months can be challenging for parents, with frequent night wakings and feedings. Newborns' sleep patterns vary, and it is important to remember that what is right for one baby may not be right for another. Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages, as growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect their sleep.
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Babies sleep through the night by 6 months
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, in short bursts of 20 to 50 minutes. They do not know the difference between day and night and do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. They wake up frequently during the night because they need to be fed or changed.
From two weeks to three to four months of age, newborns go through a stage of increased crying, which will be at its worst at six to eight weeks of age. During the first three months, newborns cry a lot because they need help to feed, change or settle so they can get back to sleep.
From three to four months of age, you should be able to slowly cut back on middle-of-the-night feedings, with the ultimate goal of getting your baby to sleep through the night. Babies between four and six months old are developmentally able to sleep through the night without a feeding. However, whether they do or not depends on several factors, including the baby's age, weight, whether or not they are being breastfed, and the family's nighttime feeding habits.
Most babies sleep through the night at around six months. In one study, about 38% of six-month-olds were not sleeping through the night, but that number dropped to less than 28% by 12 months. This is reflective of how sleep cycles for babies change as they grow.
To help your baby sleep through the night, you can try the following strategies:
- Create a consistent bedtime routine, such as a relaxing bath, a story, cuddles, lullabies, and a full feeding.
- Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby.
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) until the baby is at least six months old.
- Give your baby the chance to self-soothe and get themselves back to sleep before you go in to check on them.
- Bedtime fading: put the baby to bed 15 minutes later each night to compress sleep and limit time in bed.
- Graduated extinction: create longer and longer gaps between when the baby cries and when the parent responds.
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Active sleep: when newborns move and make noises
Active sleep is a normal and essential part of a newborn's sleep cycle. It is also known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and is characterised by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and muscle tone changes. Newborns spend a significant portion of their sleep in active sleep, which makes up about half of each sleep cycle.
During active sleep, a newborn may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. They may also make grunting sounds, moan, or whimper, and their eyes may move rapidly under closed eyelids. These are all normal behaviours during active sleep. However, it is important to monitor your baby during this time, as some noises or movements may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress. For example, grunting may indicate that your baby is experiencing distress while trying to breathe. If you are concerned about your baby's breathing or any other noises or movements, it is always best to consult your pediatrician.
The sleep cycles of newborns are typically shorter than those of adults, lasting around 20 to 50 minutes. During this time, they alternate between active sleep and quiet sleep. While in active sleep, newborns may appear to be awake, moving around and making noises. However, they are still asleep, and it is important to allow them to continue sleeping if possible. Disturbing them during active sleep can disrupt their natural sleep cycle and impact their development.
To support your newborn's active sleep needs, it is crucial to provide a safe and comfortable sleep environment. Ensure that your baby sleeps on their back on a firm, flat surface, and remove any loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys from their sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It is also important to respect their natural sleep cycles and not disturb them unnecessarily during active sleep. Additionally, you can promote healthy sleep habits by establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding creating negative sleep associations, such as holding your baby until they fall asleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. These noises are completely normal, but if you are concerned, contact your pediatrician.
As newborns mature, their sleeping patterns will too, with fewer REM cycles and more periods of deeper, quieter sleep. Newborns may start to learn the rhythm of day and night at around 3 months of age.
It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. You can help your newborn learn to sleep more at night by exposing them to light and gently playing with them during the day, and providing a dim and quiet environment at night.
