As any parent knows, the term “newborn sleep schedule” is a bit of a misnomer. At the very beginning, babies sleep around the clock because they’re unable to discern night from day. Between their short, frequent naps, newborns only wake up in order to eat and get their diaper changed.
In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect of your newborn’s sleep, from hours to patterns. We’ll also give some tips on how to make the most of their shuteye.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
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Newborn sleep patterns
- Making a newborn sleep schedule
- Common challenges with newborn sleep
- Tips to support your newborn’s sleep schedule
The importance of newborn sleep
For newborns, sleep is essential. That’s because when they nod off, their brain and body are developing rapidly. Not only that, but their immune function is also maturing, and the groundwork is being laid for healthy sleep patterns.
Newborn sleep patterns
A newborn should get 14 to 18 hours of sleep a day, spread out over 24 hours. Their sleep tends to be irregular, ranging from a 20-minute power nap to a three-hour snooze.
The same goes for wake windows: Some days your newborn will be awake a mere half-hour, whereas on another day they might stay up for an hour or more.
Also, sleep isn’t relegated to the nighttime hours. Babies can’t tell the difference between day and night, so your little one will nap whenever they’re tired. That’s because their circadian rhythm doesn’t fully develop until they’re about six months old.
Newborn sleep schedule
Trying to figure out what to expect from your baby’s sleep during those first few months? Here’s a good estimate of what your newborn’s sleep situation could look like.
Newborn to one month
From newborn to one month, your little one will sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, in two-hour spurts. If your baby has been sleeping for more than a couple of hours, you’ll want to wake them to ensure they’re eating enough to fuel their rapid growth.
At this age, your newborn’s wake window is between 45 minutes and an hour. While awake, they’ll need to eat, which, if you’re breastfeeding, will also help you build your milk supply.
One to two months
By one to two months, your newborn can stay up a little longer, only requiring 14 to 16 hours of sleep a day, with a wake window of one to one and a half hours. Even though their sleep schedule is not yet truly predictable, you’ll probably see some patterns emerge.
Instead of an even distribution from day to night, by this time, babies often sleep a little more at night. This means you’ll be able to start catching up a bit on your own zzzs.
Two to three months
By two months old, your baby will be sleeping longer at night, typically about 11 to 12 hours, while they’ll nap for three to four hours during the day. Wake windows will extend to one to two hours. Things are looking up!
Common challenges with newborn sleep
If you’re struggling with your newborn’s sleep, you’re not alone. There are many common challenges that parents face in those first few months.
Day-to-night confusion
As we mentioned, in the first few months of life, your little one will not be able to tell the difference between night and day because their circadian rhythm has not yet been established.
In fact, it won’t be until about six months of age that their sleep-wake cycle becomes predictable, with longer nighttime sleep and regular daytime naps.
Overtiredness
It’s also common for a baby to be overtired after staying up for longer than they should. Too much activity or excitement before naptime can make it hard for them to get to sleep.
Sleep regressions
Babies can also experience what’s called a sleep regression. Basically, a sleep regression is when your little one starts to be a better sleeper but suddenly reverses course. The good news is that it usually just takes a bit of time to resolve on its own.
While all babies are different, many experience a regression at about six weeks old, right in line with a six-week growth spurt. During this regression, you might notice more frequent night wakings, shorter naps, fussiness, or changes in feeding patterns.
Frequent night wakings
Your newborn will wake every couple of hours, and that’s a good thing (even though it doesn’t feel like it for you!). That’s because they need frequent feedings to support their growth and development. Of course, with every feeding comes a diaper change as well.
Short sleep cycles
As we’ve discussed, babies have short yet frequent sleep cycles, which means they’re awake and ready to eat every couple of hours. As they get older, their sleep cycle lengthens, especially at night, which will be a relief!
Tips to support your newborn’s sleep
There are a few things you can do to help your newborn get the sleep they need. Let’s dive in.
Follow safe sleep guidelines.
First, it’s important to follow safe sleep practices, such as always putting your baby down to sleep on their back; only letting them sleep in a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that meets current safety standards; and making sure the crib is bare except for a mattress, fitted sheet, and your baby.
As for the crib mattress, choose one that’s firm and breathable. The Newton Essential, Original, and Waterproof mattresses are firm, breathable, and washable from cover to core!
Keep the nursery cool, quiet, and dark.
To be conducive to sleep, your baby’s nursery should also be cool (68 to 72 degrees is perfect), quiet, and dark.
For quiet, parents often use white noise machines to drown out any household noise that might keep their little one awake (just be sure to place the machine at least 7 feet from your baby and the volume at 50dB or lower). And blackout shades are a great option for keeping light out.
Look for sleep cues.
Since your newborn isn’t yet on a true sleep schedule, you’ll have to look out for their sleep cues, like yawning or eye rubbing. When you see those signs, put them to bed drowsy but awake.
Wrap them in a swaddle.
Wrapping your baby in a swaddle calms their Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, which is an involuntary arm or leg movement that can wake them from sleep.
Swaddle your newborn snugly around the chest while allowing room for their hips and legs to move, always place them on their back.
Keep in mind that once your baby starts looking like they’re ready to roll over at around two to four months old, swaddling is no longer safe, and it’s time to switch to a sleep sack.
Follow a bedtime and naptime routine.
Keeping to a bedtime routine can also help your baby become a better sleeper. A bedtime routine is a series of steps that you do every time your baby sleeps, be it a nap or nighttime sleep.
Routines should be no more than 15 minutes, made up of steps like dimming the light, changing their diaper, dressing them for bed, and reading a bedtime story.
Try a pacifier.
Giving your newborn a pacifier can help with their sleep. It may even help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when used correctly.
Sleepytime with Newton
Newborn sleep schedules are pretty irregular at the beginning, as babies cycle from being asleep to awake every couple of hours to accommodate the frequent feedings they need.
When it’s time for sleep, Newton’s Essential, Original, and Waterproof mattresses are not only comfortable but firm, breathable, and even washable from cover to core. Trust Newton to help your newborn get the most out of their shuteye!
Frequently asked questions
Can I let my one-week-old sleep for five hours?
It’s better to wake up your one-week-old every two to three hours to eat. At this age, they need to be fed frequently to support their body’s growth and development.
What is the 5-3-3 guideline for baby sleep?
The 5-3-3 guideline is a sleep training method intended for four- to six-month-old babies, where you space out nighttime feedings to encourage your baby to sleep independently. Essentially, you feed your baby after five hours of sleep and again after three hours twice more.
Does breastfeeding support safer sleep?
Breastfeeding is associated with protective benefits for babies, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended when possible.
