How Many Hours Per Day Does The Average Newborn Sleep? | Naps Made Simple

Average Newborn Sleep Hours Per Day: What’s Normal

Newborn sleep is a swirl of short snoozes, feeds, and diaper changes. Across a full day, the average newborn racks up around 14 to 17 total hours of sleep, but the pattern looks nothing like an adult night. You’ll see many naps, brief wake periods, and frequent night wakings. That wide range is normal for roughly the first twelve weeks.

Pediatric groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC sleep recommendations place newborn sleep needs at 14–17 hours over each 24-hour period. That total includes every nap, whether it happens in a crib, on a walk, or during a contact nap on your chest.

Here’s a quick snapshot of sleep across the first three months. The table shows typical 24-hour totals and how long a usual sleep stint lasts at this age.

Age	Total Sleep (24h)	Typical Stint Length
0–2 Weeks	14–17 hours	1–2 hours at a time
2–6 Weeks	14–17 hours	1–3 hours at a time
6–12 Weeks	14–17 hours	2–3 hours at a time

Notice the spread. Some days land near the low end after a growth spurt or a lively day; others balloon upward after vaccines, cluster feeds, or a sleepy afternoon. The total swings, and that’s okay. A calmer day often follows a choppy one.

How This Range Works

The 24-hour total matters more than any single nap. Count every doze, including contact naps and stroller snoozes. Tallies ebb and flow through the week. Aiming for the recommended range sets steady expectations and eases pressure when a nap is short or bedtime runs late.

Why Sleep Comes In Short Bursts

Newborn sleep cycles are brief and tummies are tiny. Most sleep arrives in one to three hour blocks, day or night. Feeding needs pull them up to the surface, then they drift back down. That’s why long uninterrupted nights are rare this early and why “through the night” comes later.

Wake Windows For Newborns

A handy way to time naps is the wake window—the span your baby stays comfortably awake between sleep bouts. In the first month the window is often 30 to 60 minutes. By weeks four to twelve, many babies manage 60 to 90 minutes before signs of fatigue appear. Watch cues and begin the wind-down near the end of that window; it keeps naps timely and prevents over-tired meltdowns.

Common Sleepy Cues

• Staring off with a glazed look
• Slower movements or stillness
• Red eyebrows or yawns
• Turning away from faces or lights
• Brief fussing that ramps up

Day And Night Rhythms

Many newborns mix up days and nights. Daylight, normal household sounds, and regular feeds help daytime feel active. At night, keep lights dim, interactions brief, and feeds calm. The contrast teaches the body clock what to expect and encourages longer night stretches when the time is right.

Setting Up Calming Sleep

Keep a simple wind-down: fresh diaper, swaddle or a snug wearable blanket, a short feed or top-off, and a few quiet minutes in a dim room. Place baby on the back, on a firm flat surface with no loose bedding or soft objects. Room-share without bed-sharing through these early months for both rest and safety.

Feeding And Sleep: How They Interact

Feeding shapes sleep across the day. Newborns wake often to eat, and intake varies from baby to baby. Responsive feeding supports growth and keeps stretches age-appropriate. If weight gain is steady, longer night runs may slowly appear after the first few weeks, usually balanced by solid daytime feeds.

Sample 24-Hour Newborn Day

Here’s a gentle sample for a two to six week old. Shift the timing by your baby’s cues and the wake window, not the clock. Short naps stack up to that daily total, and a rough day can still add up well by bedtime.

• 6:30 a.m. Feed, brief cuddle, daylight near a window
• 7:15 a.m. Down for nap (45–90 minutes)
• 9:00 a.m. Feed, short play on the floor, fresh air if possible
• 9:45 a.m. Nap
• 11:30 a.m. Feed, contact nap if everyone needs it
• 1:15 p.m. Nap
• 3:00 p.m. Feed, tummy time, low lights near the end
• 3:45 p.m. Nap
• 5:30 p.m. Feed, bath or wipe-down, quiet cuddle
• 6:15 p.m. Nap or early night stretch
• 8:00 p.m. Feed, swaddle or wearable blanket, calm room
• Overnight: Two to three feeds with quick diaper swaps; back to sleep

When Totals Seem Off

Totals swing from day to day. If the 24-hour number sits well below 14 hours for several days, or climbs above 19 hours with hard-to-wake periods and poor feeds, call your pediatrician. Reach out sooner for a weak cry, a fever, labored breathing, blue lips, fewer wet diapers, long stretches without interest in feeding, or if something simply feels off.

Newborn Sleep Tips That Work

• Cap a single daytime stretch at two to three hours so feeds stay on track.
• Offer most daylight feeds every two to three hours unless your clinician gave a plan.
• Use light to set the tone: bright by day, dim at night.
• Begin the wind-down before baby looks overtired.
• Soothe with motion for one nap, then try the next nap in the crib or bassinet.

Why Sleep Fluctuates Week To Week

Sleep changes fast in this stage. During growth spurts, expect extra naps and more night feeds. After vaccines or a lively outing, a cluster of short naps may stack up. Lean on contact naps when needed, then reset the next day with your usual wind-down and wake window timing.

Gear And Environment

Swaddling can calm the startle reflex and smooth the first weeks. Stop swaddling as soon as rolling appears and switch to a sleep sack. Keep the room smoke-free and at a comfortable temperature. Offer a pacifier for sleep if your baby wants one. A small fan across the room can help with air movement without blowing on the crib.

Sleep Cues And Quick Moves

Reading cues keeps naps timely and bedtime smooth. Use this guide to match what you see with a simple next step.

Cue	What It Usually Means	Helpful Move
Staring, glassy eyes	Low alertness	Dim lights, gentle swaddle, quiet room
Red eyebrows, yawns	Window closing	Begin wind-down and lay down drowsy
Turning away from faces	Too much input	Reduce noise, shorten play, head to crib
Jerky limbs or hiccups	Over-tired or gassy	Brief burp, snug swaddle, white noise
Rising fuss	Missed window	Reset with motion, then try crib again

Average Newborn Sleep Per Day — What To Expect Over Time

Across the first month, many babies collect their sleep in small bites and wake every two to three hours to feed. By weeks eight to twelve, some babies link one longer night stretch, then make up the rest by day. That still lands near the same daily total. The shift is gradual and varies by feeding needs, temperament, and recovery from the day’s events.

Building A Simple Routine

Think in three beats: feed, brief awake time, then sleep. Keep play short and sweet. A song while you swaddle, two minutes of rocking, a still room, and down on the back. Repeat that pattern across the day and your baby learns the steps. If a nap stalls, use motion for one cycle and try the next nap in the crib again.

Making Night Feeds Calmer

At night, move slowly, keep voices soft, and swap diapers only when needed. Use a low warm light, not bright overhead lamps. Burp, re-swaddle if you use one, and lay back down while sleepy rather than fully alert. Small details stack up and help nights feel different from days.

What Matters Most Right Now

You’re not training a strict schedule. You’re responding, keeping baby safe, and stacking reasonable rest across the day. If the pattern feels off or you’re worried about intake, weight, breathing, or alertness, call your pediatrician. That quick call brings clarity and keeps everyone resting easier.