Newborn Sleep: What to Expect

Newborn babies sleep a lot! Most newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours each day. Newborns also wake often. This is normal! They wake up many times, day and night.

Keep in mind:

Babies need to eat day and night.
Sleep will change as your baby grows. It can take months for the baby to have a normal day and night rhythm.
Every baby is different. Some sleep more. Some sleep less.

Watch these videos to see what newborn sleep may be like for you.

How Can I Help My Newborn Sleep?

Creating the right sleep space helps keep your baby healthy and lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Your baby should sleep on their back, on their own with no loose blankets or pillows, in a safe sleep space like a crib or pack and play. Read about more steps on how to help your baby rest safely and comfortably.

Here are some more tips for getting your newborn to sleep:

During the day, open your curtains, keep the lights on, and talk and play with baby when they are awake.
When baby naps during the day try to lay down and rest or nap. This will help you prepare for nighttime.
Help your baby sleep before they are very tired. Watch for eye rubbing, yawning, looking away or, fussing.
Try not to let your baby fall asleep eating or in your arms. This can make it harder for baby to fall asleep on their own.

Create a Short Sleep Routine

Give baby a bath
Feed your baby
Change diaper and swaddle baby.
Read a short book or sing a song
Turn down lights and noise
Put the baby down to sleep awake but drowsy

Adjusting to Your Baby's Sleep Routine

It can be hard for a new parent to adjust to the baby’s sleep routine. Try:

Resting during the day when baby is napping
Share caring for baby at night with your partner or support person
Remember that some nights are harder than others, and sleep gets better as the baby gets older.

Newborns do not know when it is day or night. This can be hard to adjust to as new parents.

In the daytime, your baby may:

Sleep for one to three hours
Wake to eat
Go back to sleep

At night, your baby may:

Sleep for one to four hours
Wake to eat
Need help to fall back to sleep

Sleep Cycles

Babies have short sleep cycles that last about 50–60 minutes. At the end of a cycle, your baby may:

Move their arms and legs
Make faces or smile
Make little sounds or cry out

This does not always mean they are waking up. Wait a few moments. Often your baby will go back to sleep alone.

Light Sleep and Deep Sleep

Babies have light sleep and deep sleep.

In light sleep, your baby may:

Move a lot
Breathe fast or slow
Open their eyes a little

In deep sleep:

Your baby is still and quiet.

Both kinds of sleep are normal.

Waking Up To Eat

Newborns have small bellies. They need to eat often. Some babies wake up more often than others.

Most newborns wake up to eat:

Every one to three hours in the day
Every one to four hours at night

Growth Spurts

A growth spurt is when a baby’s body or brain is growing quickly. Growth spurts are common in the first months. They usually last a few days. Sometimes your baby may:

Wake up more
Want to eat more
Sleep less or seem fussy

How Does Sleep Change as Babies Grow?

By about three months, many babies:

Sleep longer at night
Have more set times for naps

By about six months, some babies may:

Sleep for six to eight hours in a row at night, But not all babies do this. It is still normal for older babies to wake at night.

When To Call Your Baby’s Care Provider

Call your baby’s care provider if:

Your baby is very hard to wake
Your baby is too sleepy to eat
Your baby has trouble breathing
Your baby is not having wet or dirty diapers like usual
You are worried or feel something is not right

You know your baby best. It is always okay to ask for help.