Newborn (0–2 months) · Infant (2–12 months) · Sleep, Newborns & feeding
Newborn sleep: what is normal and how to build a routine
Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day in short stretches of 2 to 4 hours, day and night, because their stomachs are tiny and their body clocks are not set. Safe sleep comes first; a routine can start around 6 to 8 weeks.
Key takeaways
- Short sleep cycles are normal; expect night waking for months
- Back to sleep, alone, in a bare crib or bassinet, every time
- Days bright and busy, nights dark and boring
- Start a simple bedtime routine at 6 to 8 weeks
- Longer stretches usually arrive between 3 and 6 months
Why does my newborn wake so often?
Newborn sleep cycles are about 50 minutes long, half of it light sleep. Add a stomach that holds only a few ounces and you get frequent waking. This is protective in the early weeks and it is temporary.
How do I keep sleep safe?
- On the back, for every sleep, until age 1
- On a firm, flat mattress in a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets safety standards
- No pillows, blankets, bumpers, wedges or toys in the sleep space
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months
- Offer a pacifier at sleep time once feeding is established
- No smoke exposure; keep the room comfortable, not hot
When can I start a routine?
Around 6 to 8 weeks, begin the same short sequence each evening: feed, bath or wipe-down, pajamas, a song or book, lights out. Put your baby down drowsy but awake when you can. Keep night feeds quiet and dim.
What about day–night confusion?
Expose your baby to daylight and normal household noise during the day. At night keep lights low, voices soft and diaper changes quick. Most babies sort out day from night by 6 to 8 weeks.
When to call us
- Your baby is very hard to wake for feeds or sleeps through several feeds
- Snoring, pauses in breathing, or noisy breathing during sleep
- You are so exhausted you are worried about your own safety or mood; we can help
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if…
- Pauses in breathing longer than 15–20 seconds, or a blue or gray color
- Limpness, or a baby who cannot be roused
Questions parents ask
Is it safe to swaddle?
Yes, until your baby shows signs of rolling, usually around 2 months. Swaddle snug at the chest and loose at the hips, and always on the back.
When will my baby sleep through the night?
“Through the night” for a baby means 5 to 6 hours. Many babies get there between 3 and 6 months; some take longer. It is not a milestone you can fail.
Not sure? Ask us
Call or text the office during hours, or send a portal message. For emergencies call 911.
(770) 615-7000Trusted further reading
- HealthyChildren.org (opens in new tab)American Academy of Pediatrics