If you’re wondering, “How long should a newborn sleep without feeding?”, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest questions on every new parent’s mind. That little voice of worry constantly asks if you should wake your baby up to eat or let them snooze!
It’s confusing because the answer changes dramatically in the first three months. This period is filled with massive growth spurts, meaning your baby’s stomach size and calorie needs are constantly evolving.
This article will provide clear, month-by-month guidelines for sleep and feeding windows, as well as help you understand how your baby’s needs change as they grow.
(Note: Remember that this is a general overview. Always consult your pediatrician for specific advice about your baby’s health and growth.)
Key Takeaways
How long should a newborn sleep without feeding?
Month one
The first two weeks
During the first two weeks, the main focus is on weight gain. Keep in mind that it’s completely normal for your little one to lose a bit of weight right after they’re born. But getting that weight back (and gaining a bit more) is the top priority.
For this reason, you should wake your newborn to feed at least every 2 to 3 hours, day and night, until they regain their birth weight or your doctor says otherwise. For some babies, it might even be a little more often!
Talk to your pediatrician for more details and always follow their advice, even if it’s different from what you read. They are better positioned to give you advice tailored to your newborn’s unique needs.
Many wonder why babies need to be fed so often. First and foremost, they need fuel for their growing brain and body. Frequent feedings also help prevent issues like dehydration and jaundice.
More sleep during weeks three and four
Once your baby is back to their birth weight and the doctor confirms they are gaining weight well, the rules often start to relax a bit, especially at night.
During the day, your little one will still need to eat every 3 to 4 hours, but with your pediatrician’s permission, you may be allowed to let your three- or four-week old baby sleep for up to 4 hours before waking them to feed.
Tips for month one
Hunger cues are signs that your baby is ready to eat. Get to know your baby’s unique hunger cues. These often occur before they start crying out for food.
Your little one might smack their lips, stick out their tongue, turn their head and open their mouth, or move their hands to their mouth.
Learn how to gently wake up your baby. Methods for waking a sleeping baby include undressing them, changing their diaper, rubbing their back or feet, or wiping their forehead with a slightly damp cloth.
Month two
Your growing baby
During month two, your baby is now more awake and alert during the day. As a result, they can take in more milk or formula during their daytime feeds. Many babies will likely settle into a routine in which they eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day and every 4 to 6 hours at night.
However, don’t worry if your little one still needs to feed more often. And, as you did in the first month, get your pediatrician’s permission before letting your little one sleep that long.
When you do go in to feed your baby during the night, do your best to make those feedings boring and dark. Try not to turn on any lights, and don’t introduce any new stimuli that may pique your little one’s interest.
You can bounce or rock them for a bit, but if your goal is for your baby to eventually fall asleep more independently, you may want to avoid rocking them all the way to sleep every time.
Tips for month two
A key thing to keep in mind is that you should do your best to get plenty of sleep yourself while your baby is down. They’re going to be up at least once during the wee hours of the morning for a feeding, and you want to be ready.
Throughout these four weeks, do your best to maintain a simple yet consistent bedtime routine.
This could be a warm bath, a quiet book, and a gentle cuddle. These activities help your baby learn the difference between exciting, bright daytime and calm, dark nighttime, which helps them save their longest sleep for the nighttime hours.
It’s also important to be aware that a growth spurt between six and eight weeks can cause your newborn to go back to feeding every two to three hours. This is normal and should not be taken as a sign that something is wrong with your baby or that you made a mistake.
Month three
Reaching milestones
By month three, your baby is starting to reach some milestones! Their stomach is bigger, and they’re more efficient eaters. Daytime feedings will level out at every 3.5 to 4 hours, while many babies will sleep through the night and not need to feed for a solid 6 to 8 hours.
What’s more, your little one’s circadian rhythms are developing, which can help with longer sleep at night and less of a drive to wake and feed.
Keep in mind that not all babies will sleep for this long at night when they’re 3 months old. If yours doesn’t, that’s perfectly OK!
Tips for month three
You can help your baby fall asleep and stay that way at night by keeping their sleep environment dark, cool, and quiet.
This may involve hanging blackout curtains over the window(s), lowering the temperature and humidity in their room, and running a white noise machine or fan while they sleep.
Be consistent with feeding and sleep patterns. Do your best to maintain a regular daytime feeding and nap schedule, as well as a calm nighttime routine. This encourages your baby to sleep for those long stretches at night that allow you to get some much-needed sleep as well!
Longer sleep is on the way!
Now you have a better idea of how long your newborn should sleep without feeding during the critical first three months.
Remember, the early weeks of waking every 2-3 hours for feeds are the toughest, but they are also the shortest! As your baby matures, those much-needed longer sleep stretches will arrive.
To make sure your baby is safe while they sleep, always choose a secure sleep environment (a separate bassinet or crib with no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys), and outfit that sleep space with a newborn-friendly mattress from Newton.
Our mattresses prioritize breathability and firmness, which are key parts of safe sleep.
Above all, keep supporting your growing baby! If you have any specific concerns about your baby’s feeding or sleep schedule, talk to your pediatrician today.
Frequently asked questions
Can a newborn sleep too much?
Excessive sleep can sometimes be a sign of illness, jaundice, or that they aren’t getting enough food.
So, what constitutes “excessive”? During the first month, five hours is usually too long for a newborn to sleep without eating until they’ve regained their birth weight or been cleared for longer stretches of sleep by a pediatrician.
Gently wake them up and feed them right away. Then mention the long sleep to your pediatrician at the next visit.
My baby is 3 months old and still wakes up every 3 hours. Is that normal?
Yes, it’s completely normal for a 3-month-old to wake up every couple of hours or so to feed. Some babies will sleep for 6-8 hour stretches, but that’s just a goal and not a guarantee that it will actually happen. Your baby may need night feeding for much longer.
As long as your little one is growing well and meeting their milestones, it’s fine. Keep encouraging full feeds during the day and talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your newborn’s growth.
How do I know if my baby is full?
The best way to tell if your newborn has had enough to eat is to watch for signs of fullness. These include:
- Slower, more relaxed suckling
- Falling asleep at the breast or bottle
- Open, relaxed hands
It’s also a good idea to track wet and dirty diapers to ensure that your little one is getting enough at each feeding.
