Updated on
24.2.25
The early days, weeks, and months with your newborn are filled with love, wonder, and countless firsts—but they also come with a lot of questions, especially about sleep. How long should a newborn sleep at a time? How much sleep is normal? Where and how should my baby sleep? When should I start a sleep routine?
If you find yourself Googling newborn sleep schedules at 2 a.m., you’re not alone. Sleep is one of the biggest challenges for new parents, and it’s completely normal to feel a little lost.
The good news? You’re in the right place. We’ve gathered the most common questions about newborn sleep—so you can feel more confident, prepared, and reassured as you navigate this exciting (but exhausting!) phase.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines for newborn sleep, emphasizing safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Baby sleep—it’s probably the most talked-about topic among new parents. And for good reason: sleep deprivation is real. When you find your socks in the fridge or pour coffee into your cereal, you know it’s time to bring some structure and predictability into your baby’s sleep routine.
In the sections ahead, we’ll cover what to expect in the early weeks at home with your baby, why it might be too soon for a strict sleep schedule, and how you can still introduce a little more structure to your daily routine—without stress!
So, stay tuned!
The first three months with a newborn? Think survival camp. Period.
Nights are restless, days feel chaotic, and sleep happens in random bursts—a nap here, a nap there. Routine? Structure? Forget it. A newborn’s (0–3 months) sleep is unpredictable, inconsistent, and often feels all over the place.
It’s completely understandable if you start craving more structure. A sleep schedule with set nap times sounds like the perfect solution, right? Not so fast.
Your baby is, well, a baby—not a clock that can be programmed. You can’t force their sleep needs, and honestly? You shouldn’t try. Sleep is essential for your baby’s physical, mental, and emotional growth.
And here’s the truth: Sleep promotes sleep. Period.
So, instead of stressing over a rigid sleep schedule, focus on watching your baby’s cues and staying flexible. Let them sleep as much as they need—aside from feeding times—and trust that their sleep habits will naturally develop over time.
However: Establishing a bedtime routine and providing a secure environment can help your baby fall asleep independently. Avoiding habits that create dependency. Instead use techniques like soothing music and consistent comforting methods like patting during awakenings to promote better sleep.
If you’re looking for a little more structure, don’t worry. The following guidelines will help you navigate those first few months with more confidence and less stress.
Newborns sleep—a lot. Really, a lot. Since they haven’t developed a fixed day-night rhythm yet, their "schedule" (more on: When do babies sleep through the night: How baby sleep develops) is simple and repetitive: feed, change diapers, sleep. Feed, change diapers, sleep. And repeat. Around the clock.
But here’s the thing—every day with a newborn is unique. Their sleep cycles are highly individual, so expect the unexpected. How and when your day unfolds depends on a variety of factors: nighttime sleep quality, wake windows, the number and length of naps, growth spurts—you name it!
That’s why the following sleep schedule isn’t a strict routine, but rather a flexible guide to help bring a little more structure to your day without the stress.
This flexible routine provides a gentle structure, allowing you to adjust based on your baby’s individual needs. Breastfed babies tend to feed more frequently since breast milk is digested faster than formula, which keeps babies full for longer.
As your little one grows and develops, these patterns will naturally evolve. During growth spurts (which happen around 6 weeks, 2 months, and 3 months) babies tend to wake more frequently to eat, regardless of feeding method—so don’t stress if every day looks a little different!
Your baby is finally here—and yes, everything has changed. Your entire life, including your own sleep schedule, now revolves around your little one. After those first sleepless nights, one thing becomes clear: A newborn's sleep is completely unpredictable.
But why?
Your baby’s sleep rhythm is still developing. Newborns don’t have a fixed day-night cycle like adults. The reason is simple: During pregnancy, it was cozy, warm, and always dark inside the womb. Even though babies start alternating between sleep and wake phases around week 36 of pregnancy, these patterns are still irregular at birth.
For at least the first three months, your baby will follow an unpredictable sleep-wake cycle, and patience will be key!
Newborns have shorter but more frequent sleep and wake phases than adults. What does that mean for you? Expect your baby to wake up every 2 to 4 hours for feeding, diaper changes, or cuddles—and that’s completely normal.
It’s only after 4 months (more on the 4-month sleep regression) that a more regular circadian rhythm—often called the internal clock—begins to take shape. Over time, your baby will learn to sleep for longer stretches, especially at night. But remember, every newborn is unique, and their sleep patterns depend on factors like age and temperament.
So hang in there! Even if things don’t always go as planned, it’s all part of the process.
Want to better understand your baby’s sleep rhythm? Happy Baby creates a daily, flexible, and age-appropriate sleep schedule, so you can stay one step ahead of those naps!
Ever wondered why newborns (0–3 months) seem to sleep all the time? Here’s why:
Newborns need plenty of sleep because they’re growing at an incredible rate, both physically and cognitively. Even while they’re fast asleep, their brains are hard at work—forming new neural connections, processing sounds, sights, and sensations, and laying the foundation for learning and development.
Simply put, sleep is essential. It plays a vital role in supporting your baby’s physical growth, mental development, and emotional well-being—so let them snooze as much as they need!
Sleep. Eat. Repeat. Sounds like a dream—especially for sleep-deprived parents! Newborns have very high sleep needs and spend most of their day dozing away. In the first few weeks, newborns typically sleep 16 to 18 hours within a 24-hour period.
Sounds amazing, right? Well, yes and no. Newborns don’t sleep for long stretches at a time. Instead, they take many short naps, waking up frequently—sometimes every 2 hours—to eat. Most babies do not sleep through the night until around 6 months of age or older. Sleep duration expectations vary: newborns may sleep 16 to 18 hours a day, but this decreases to about 14 to 15 hours by three months.
How many naps a newborn takes varies from baby to baby. Anything between 20 and 120 minutes is completely normal. Some babies wake every 2 hours to feed, while others need to be woken up every 2–3 hours to ensure they’re getting enough calories.
Is this normal? Absolutely. Every baby is different! If your baby doesn’t fit neatly into this pattern, there’s no need to worry—there’s a wide range of “normal.” However, if you’re ever unsure whether your baby is sleeping too much or too little, don’t hesitate to check in with your pediatrician or midwife.
The key takeaway? A baby’s sleep needs can’t be controlled—they’re influenced by factors like hunger, developmental milestones, and growth spurts.
What you can control is how you support your baby’s sleep rhythm. With understanding, love, and patience, you and your little one will find your rhythm together.
Newborns and infants have a high need for sleep, as it plays a critical role in their growth and development. In the first few weeks, newborns typically sleep 16 to 18 hours a day, divided into multiple short naps throughout a 24-hour period.
As your little one grows, their sleep patterns begin to evolve. Sleep phases become longer and more predictable, making it easier to establish gentle routines. By around three months, your baby’s sleep-wake cycle starts to stabilize, allowing them to stay awake for longer periods and sleep for longer stretches at night.
This gradual shift lays the foundation for a more consistent sleep rhythm as they continue developing.
If you ever have concerns about your baby’s sleep patterns or needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for guidance.
Newborn wake windows (0–3 months) are very short, typically lasting 30 to 40 minutes, with a maximum of 1 hour. In the first few weeks, these wake periods are often irregular, and you’ll notice that your baby tires quickly. As soon as you spot signs of sleepiness—yawning, rubbing their eyes, or fussiness—it’s best to put your baby down for sleep before overtiredness kicks in.
Use these short wake windows as precious bonding time with your little one. During these moments, your baby is alert and curious, soaking in their surroundings. This is the perfect time for a diaper change, feeding, or gentle stimulation—sometimes, simply talking to your baby is enough.
Step by step, their sleep-wake rhythm becomes more stable. By 4 to 12 weeks, many babies can stay awake for up to 90 minutes before needing rest. Want to dive deeper into wake windows by age? You can find more details here.
During the first 12 weeks, newborn wake windows gradually extend as your baby grows. Here’s a general guideline for typical wake times by age:
Keep in mind that every baby is different, and these times can vary. The best approach? Watch for your baby’s tiredness cues—like yawning, fussiness, or rubbing their eyes—to help prevent overtiredness.
Sleep schedules for newborns and young babies should be flexible, as their sleep needs can vary greatly based on development, environment, and growth spurts. Establishing a consistent daily routine, paired with closeness and loving care from parents, creates a sense of security and helps babies settle into sleep more easily.
A comfortable sleep environment—cool, quiet, and dark—can promote better sleep. Parental presence and gentle support during this phase are key, as babies thrive on reassurance while drifting off. With patience and a calming bedtime routine, your baby’s sleep rhythm will gradually stabilize, helping everyone get more restful nights.
Want to better understand your baby’s sleep rhythm? Happy Baby creates a daily, flexible, and age-appropriate sleep schedule, so you can stay one step ahead of those naps!
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