How much do newborns sleep?

How Much Do Newborns Sleep? A Guide for New Parents

Understanding newborn sleep can feel like a mystery for new parents. You might wonder, "How much should my newborn sleep?" and whether their habits are typical. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about newborn sleep patterns, so you can rest a bit easier, too.

How Much Should My Newborn Sleep?

Newborns sleep a lot—usually between 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period. This sleep, however, is scattered throughout day and night in short periods, typically lasting from 2 to 4 hours. Unlike older children or adults, newborns don’t have a clear concept of day and night yet, so it’s normal for them to wake frequently.

Why Do Newborns Sleep So Much?

During sleep, a newborn’s body goes through essential growth and development. Sleep is crucial for brain development, physical growth, and strengthening their immune system. This is one of the reasons babies sleep so often—each nap and bedtime is helping them grow and adapt to the world around them.

What Does a Typical Newborn Sleep Schedule Look Like?

Here’s a general breakdown of a newborn’s sleep schedule:

• Days 0-7: Sleep for 16-18 hours in short 2-3 hour bursts.
• Weeks 2-4: Sleep starts to fall between 14-17 hours, still with frequent wakes.
• Weeks 4-8: More predictable naps may start, but night waking is still common.

Tips for Managing Newborn Sleep

1. Watch for Sleep Cues: Yawning, rubbing eyes, or fussiness can indicate that your baby is tired. Putting them down when they’re drowsy can help establish good sleep habits.
2. Create a Calm Sleep Environment: Dimming lights, playing white noise, and having a quiet, cool room can help your baby settle into sleep.
3. Establish Day-Night Patterns: During the day, expose your baby to natural light and engage in gentle play. At night, keep things quiet and calm to help your baby begin to differentiate.
4. Be Patient with Night Waking: Night waking is normal for newborns, as their tiny stomachs need frequent feeding. As they grow, their ability to sleep for longer stretches will improve.

When to Be Concerned

If your baby is consistently sleeping much more or less than expected or seems overly fussy, speak with your pediatrician. It’s normal for every baby to be a little different, but sudden changes in sleep patterns or behavior may warrant a check-up.

Final Thoughts

Remember, every baby’s sleep needs are unique. Newborn sleep may seem unpredictable, but with time, patience, and a few gentle routines, most babies develop more regular sleep patterns. Knowing what to expect—and having realistic sleep goals—can help both you and your newborn settle into this new stage together.

By providing information on how much your newborn should sleep, this guide can help new parents better understand their baby's needs. Sleep patterns will continue to change over the coming months, so keeping informed can make the journey a little smoother for everyone.