Colin Snow
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, and they spend about half of their sleeping time in each. While it is generally advised to never wake a sleeping baby, there are instances when you should. For instance, if your newborn is sleeping longer than 3-4 hour stretches, even at night, it might be time to wake them to ensure they are getting the full feedings and active awake time they need. This also helps them regulate their sleep and establish their circadian rhythm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Newborn sleep duration | 14-17 hours over a 24-hour period; some newborns may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day |
| Newborn sleep patterns | Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and wake frequently to eat |
| Feeding | Newborns should be fed every 2-4 hours, depending on breastfed or bottle-fed |
| Daytime naps | Limit to 2-3 hours; waking them up to eat after 3 hours |
| Nighttime sleep | Sleeping longer than 4-hour stretches at night is usually too long for newborns unless advised by a doctor |
| Active sleep | Newborns spend about half of their sleeping time in active sleep, which includes moving, making noises, and sometimes opening their eyes |
| Sleep cycles | Newborns go through quiet and active sleep cycles, with active sleep similar to REM sleep in adults |
| Sleep environment | Ensure sleep surfaces and products meet safety standards and keep things quiet and calm during nighttime feedings |
| Sleep regulation | Waking a newborn gently once or twice a day can help regulate their sleep and establish a consistent sleep-wake schedule |
| Sleep and growth | Newborns may be sleepier during growth spurts, developmental progression, or illness |
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What You'll Learn
Newborns need 14-17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period
Newborns typically sleep between 14 and 17 hours in a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18 or even 19 hours a day. This sleep is accumulated through a series of naps, with newborns often napping during the day, and each nap lasting between one and four hours.
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, and they wake up every few hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2-3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed less often, about every 3-4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed every 3-4 hours until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first few weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night.
The first few months of a baby's life can be challenging for parents, who may need to get up multiple times during the night to tend to their newborn. During this time, it's important to focus on correcting day-night confusion and establishing a routine that prioritises your newborn's feeding needs rather than a strict sleeping schedule.
Additionally, newborns may be sleepier when experiencing a growth spurt, developmental progression, or illness. If your newborn is much sleepier than usual, difficult to wake, or seems lethargic, it is recommended to consult your doctor.
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Babies should be woken to eat every 2-4 hours
Newborns have tiny stomachs that can't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them full for long, so they need to be fed every few hours. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies can go a little longer, about 3-4 hours between feedings. This is because breast milk is easily and quickly digested, while formula takes longer to digest.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks. After this initial period, it's generally okay to let your baby sleep for longer stretches at night, as long as they are gaining weight healthily. Most doctors agree that if your baby is eating full feedings every 2.5-3.5 hours, gaining weight steadily, and following their growth curve, you can allow them to sleep for longer stretches without waking them for feedings.
However, if your newborn is still sleeping after 2 hours, it is recommended to wake them to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition and stimulation during their active awake time. This is especially important if you notice that your newborn is consistently taking short naps, as it helps to pay attention to their sleepy cues and wake windows to establish a healthy sleep routine.
By about week 6, you and your baby will likely settle into a more predictable eating and sleeping rhythm, although this will vary depending on your baby's unique needs. Some babies will want to nurse every two hours, while others will be content with three to four-hour intervals between meals. As your baby grows, the period between feedings will gradually increase, and by 6 months of age, they may be ready to sleep through the night without needing to wake up for a feeding.
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Long naps can confuse a baby's sleep cycle
Newborns typically sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. They don't yet have a sense of day and night, and it can take a few weeks for their brains to develop this distinction. During this time, newborns may experience day-night confusion, where they sleep more during the day and are awake more at night.
To promote longer naps, it's important to ensure your baby is getting full feedings and active awake time during the day. Prioritize feedings every 2.5-3.5 hours, and offer a feeding before nap time to help lengthen sleep. Additionally, create a calm and quiet environment for middle-of-the-night feedings and changes, using low lights to reinforce that nighttime is for sleeping.
It's worth noting that the length of naps can vary significantly during the first few months, with some newborns sleeping for 20-120 minutes at a time. If your baby seems content with 30-45 minute naps and is thriving overall, there may be no cause for concern. However, if you're aiming for longer naps, you can try gradually reducing the amount of intervention between sleep cycles, such as soothing in the crib instead of picking them up.
If your baby consistently struggles to wake from longer naps or seems lethargic, it's important to consult your pediatrician. They can advise you on sleep strategies and ensure your baby's sleep patterns are healthy and developmentally appropriate.
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Active sleep: newborns are active and noisy in their sleep
Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep, spending about half of their sleeping time in each. Active sleep is similar to REM sleep in adults, but with one key difference: while adults' skeletal muscles are paralysed during REM sleep, newborns' are not. Instead, they move around, make noise, and sometimes even open their eyes, all while they're sleeping.
During active sleep, newborns can make a variety of sounds, including grunting, moaning, whimpering, crying, and snoring. These noises are usually normal and are caused by the development of their respiratory and digestive systems. Newborns' nasal passages are very small, so even a small amount of mucus, milk, or formula can block them, leading to congestion. This can result in noisy breathing, even without a cold. Additionally, newborns spend a higher percentage of their sleep in REM sleep, which is associated with dreaming and increased brain activity, potentially contributing to their sleep noises.
While most sleep noises are normal, some may indicate sickness, discomfort, or distress. For example, if your newborn is struggling to breathe, grunting after every breath, or exhibiting rapid breathing of more than 60 breaths per minute, it's important to seek medical attention. Other signs of concern include lethargy, difficulty waking, or a lack of alertness and activity.
It's worth noting that newborns don't initially have a sense of day and night. They sleep and wake frequently throughout the day and night to eat, as their tiny stomachs need regular feeding. Over a few weeks to months, newborns gradually develop a sense of day and night, and their sleep patterns start to lengthen.
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Day-night confusion: newborns don't understand the difference between day and night
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula, they wake often to eat—no matter the time. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18–19 hours a day. They wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less frequently, about every 3–4 hours.
Day-night confusion is common in newborns. It happens because newborns are still developing their internal clock, which tells them when it's time to sleep. Their sleepy hormones are not yet regulated, which usually happens around 3-4 months. It can also be attributed to the drastic transition from the womb, a dark, noisy, and cushiony environment, to the outside world.
To help your newborn differentiate between day and night, you can use light and darkness as visual cues. Expose them to indirect sunlight during the day by placing their swing or playmat near a window or taking them outdoors. Studies have shown that exposing babies to natural light during the day promotes normal circadian rhythm development. Just be sure to keep infants under 6 months old out of direct sunlight to protect their sensitive skin.
Additionally, keeping the lights low during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes can help. Avoid playing or talking with your baby at this time, as it will signal that nighttime is for sleeping. You can also use a tracking app, such as Baby Tracker by Nara, to set wake windows and get reminders.
While there is no magic fix for day-night confusion, it typically resolves by 8 weeks of age. By providing behavioural cues and regulating their internal clock through light exposure, you can help your newborn adjust their sleep patterns.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some newborns sleeping up to 18–19 hours a day. Naps during the day can be anywhere between 20-120 minutes and should be limited to 2-3 hours.
Newborns wake up every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. 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.
Newborns follow their own schedule and don't have a sense of day and night. They sleep around the clock and wake often to eat. If your newborn is fussy, it's okay to rock, cuddle, and sing to them as they settle down. Swaddling can also help soothe a crying baby.
It is best to wake your sleeping newborn before their nap goes longer than three hours. This will help them build up enough sleep pressure before their next nap or bedtime. It will also help them learn the difference between day and night sleep and establish their circadian rhythm.
