Gina Johnson
The first few weeks with a newborn can be physically exhausting for new parents. During this time, it is important to rest when the baby sleeps. Newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months, and need sleep to grow and develop. They also wake up frequently as their tummies are tiny and they may get hungry quickly. It is normal for a two-week-old to sleep for 16-20 hours a day, with short and long periods of sleep over 24 hours. While it is common for newborns to confuse night and day, this usually resolves on its own. To help your baby understand the difference between night and day, keep interactions dark and quiet overnight and bright and noisy during the day. It is recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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What You'll Learn
How much sleep does a two-week-old need?
A two-week-old baby will sleep for a large portion of the day—about 16 to 20 hours over a 24-hour period. However, this sleep will be spread out across short and long periods, and their sleep schedule will likely still be unpredictable. It's normal for newborns to confuse night and day, and their longest period of sleep may not begin until after 10:00 p.m. It's also normal for two-week-old babies to wake up multiple times throughout the night, as they need to feed often and seek comfort.
Since sleep is so unpredictable in the newborn period, it's recommended to consider wake windows and sleepy cues when determining when your baby needs to sleep. Babies can typically stay awake for around 30 to 90 minutes in their first month of life before needing to sleep again. Both 30-minute naps and two-hour naps are considered normal at this age.
To help your baby sleep, you can start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Some babies also like to be swaddled, but only until they start to roll over, typically at around three to four months old. It's important to be consistent so that your baby associates these steps with sleeping. You should also ensure that all sleep surfaces and products you use have been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and meet federal safety standards.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months, or ideally until a baby's first birthday. This means placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of in a separate room. This helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring your baby at night while reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To further reduce the risk of SIDS, always place your baby on their back to sleep and use a firm, flat sleep surface. Keep soft objects, such as toys, pillows, and blankets, out of your baby's sleep area. Dress your baby for the room temperature to avoid overheating, and watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
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Safe sleep environments
A two-week-old baby should sleep for about 16 to 20 hours a day. It is normal for newborns to confuse night and day, and they may be wide awake when you want to sleep. To help them understand the difference, keep interactions dark and quiet overnight during feedings and diaper changes to signal that nighttime is for sleep. Conversely, keeping their environment bright and noisy during the day may also help.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is when the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is highest. Room-sharing is when you place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of in a separate room.
- Research shows that room-sharing reduces the risk of SIDS and sleep-related infant deaths. It is safer than bed-sharing and is safer than having a baby sleep in a separate room.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface. Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- Crib slats should be no farther apart than 2 3/8 inches. There should not be a gap between the mattress and the crib where arms and legs could get caught.
- Pick a safe location for the crib in the same room where you sleep, preferably away from any heaters.
- Babies should never sleep on an adult bed, couch, or armchair by themselves, with others, or with pets. Couches and armchairs are particularly dangerous when an adult falls asleep on them while feeding or comforting the baby.
- Do not let your baby sleep on a pillow, plush blankets, couch, or sofa to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Sleeping under quilts, blankets, sheepskins, and other soft coverings also increases the risk of sleep-related infant death from suffocation and strangulation.
- Babies can stretch their legs and may roll from the carrier. Be aware that although two-week-olds do not usually roll, they can wiggle. Do not leave your baby unattended on a changing table, bed, or sofa.
- Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch. To avoid overheating, dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle. Don't cover your baby's head while they're sleeping.
- Look around for things that your baby can touch from a seated or standing position in the crib. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords could be harmful if they are within a baby's reach.
- Don't let your baby fall asleep on a product that isn't specifically designed for sleeping babies, such as a sitting device (like a car seat), a feeding pillow (like the Boppy pillow), or an infant lounger (like the Dock-a-Tot, Podster, and Bummzie).
- 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.
- If you haven't already, start a bedtime routine that will be familiar and relaxing for your baby. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. Some babies like to be swaddled (wrapped in a light blanket). This is OK until they start to roll (typically when they're 3 to 4 months old).
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Room-sharing vs bed-sharing
At two weeks old, newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. They need sleep to grow and develop, and they also wake frequently because their tummies are tiny and they may get hungry quickly. It is completely normal for a two-week-old baby to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday. This is because the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is highest during this period. Room-sharing involves placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate room. This allows you to keep your baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring them at night.
Bed-sharing, on the other hand, is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. It is important to always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with a tight-fitting sheet. Soft bedding, crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, and soft toys should be avoided.
While room-sharing can help prevent SIDS and support breastfeeding, it may also lead to sleep deprivation for parents, affecting their relationship and overall well-being. Additionally, babies who room-share beyond four months are more likely to be pulled into their parents' bed during the night and have unsafe sleeping materials nearby, increasing the risk of SIDS.
It is important to prioritize safe sleep practices and good sleep routines, whether room-sharing or transitioning your baby to their own room.
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Establishing a bedtime routine
It is perfectly normal for a two-week-old baby to sleep for the majority of the day—about 16 to 20 hours in every 24 hours. Newborns need sleep to grow and develop, and they also wake frequently because their stomachs are small and they may get hungry again quickly.
Due to the unpredictable nature of sleep in newborns, it is not recommended to worry about getting your baby into a rigid routine. Instead, a simple, flexible routine can help your baby sleep and make you feel more in control. Responsive settling can help your baby fall asleep, and it is important to follow your baby's lead.
- Keep interactions calm and quiet overnight: Keep the environment calm and quiet during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. This will signal to your baby that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Maintain a bright and lively environment during the day: Keeping your baby's surroundings bright and lively during the day may help them understand the difference between day and night.
- Watch for sleepy cues: Since sleep is unpredictable in newborns, consider your baby's wake windows and sleepy cues to determine when they need to sleep again. Babies can usually stay awake for 30 to 90 minutes in their first month before needing sleep.
- Create a simple routine: Try a simple routine of feed, play, sleep. Offer your baby a feed when they wake up, change their nappy, talk, play, cuddle and interact with them, then put them down for sleep. Remember to always watch your baby's cues and respond accordingly.
- Provide comfort: If your baby is crying, first check if they are sick, hurt, or uncomfortable. If they are not, and it has been at least two hours since their last feed, offer cuddles and comfort. Holding your baby close to your chest will make them feel safe and secure.
- Use approved sleep products: Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products you use for your baby's sleep have been approved by the relevant safety authorities and meet federal safety standards.
- Room-sharing is recommended: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months. Place your baby's crib or bassinet in your bedroom to keep them nearby and facilitate feeding, comforting, and monitoring.
- Safe sleep practices: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and use a firm, flat sleep surface. Do not use pillows, plush blankets, or loose items in the crib or bassinet. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating.
- Offer a pacifier: You can offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. Recent research suggests that pacifier use may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Avoid hazards: Keep items with cords, ties, or ribbons away from your baby's sleep area, as well as objects with sharp edges or corners. Ensure that hanging items, such as mobiles or window blind cords, are out of your baby's reach.
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Sleep hazards to avoid
Newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months of life. They need sleep to grow and develop, and they also wake frequently as their tummies are tiny and they may get hungry again quickly. A two-week-old baby should sleep for about 16 to 20 hours a day.
- Avoid bed-sharing. Putting your baby to sleep in bed with you increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months or, ideally, until a baby's first birthday.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side. Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
- Keep soft objects, toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- To avoid overheating, dress your baby according to the room temperature and don't overbundle. Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners.
- Look around for things that your baby can touch from a seated or standing position in the crib. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window blind cords could be harmful if they are within a baby's reach.
- Don't leave your baby unattended on a changing table, bed, or sofa.
- Don't let your baby fall asleep on a product that isn't specifically designed for sleeping babies, such as a car seat, feeding pillow, or infant lounger.
- Make sure all sleep surfaces and products you use to help your baby sleep meet federal safety standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping in their first two months, so they need about 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. Place your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate room.
Always place your baby to sleep on their back, 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, including plush toys, pillows, blankets, and quilts.
Babies can comfortably stay awake for around 30 to 90 minutes in their first month before needing sleep again.
It may take a few weeks for your baby to learn the difference between night and day. Keep interactions dark and quiet overnight for activities like feedings and diaper changes. During the day, keep your baby's environment bright and noisy. You can also try bathing, reading, and singing to soothe your baby and signal the end of the day.
