Newborn sleep works best on a firm, flat crib or bassinet with baby on the back, a clear sleep space, and soothing that fits their tiny rhythms.
Those first weeks bring lots of short snoozes, feeds around the clock, and big questions about where and how a baby should sleep. The goal isn’t a perfect schedule. The goal is safe, steady habits that let your newborn drift off often and wake to feed and grow.
Safe Sleep Basics For Newborns
Give your baby the same setup for every nap and night. Place baby on the back for all sleep, in your room but on a separate, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard. Use a fitted sheet only. Keep the sleep space clear of pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed toys, positioners, wedges, and inclined sleepers. Avoid smoking around the baby. Dress baby in light layers or a wearable blanket, not under loose bedding. A fan or gentle airflow can help keep the room comfy without overheating or sweating.
| Age | Typical Total Sleep / 24h | What It Often Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 weeks | 14–17 hours | Many short stretches, frequent feeding, day–night mix-ups are common. |
| 5–8 weeks | 14–17 hours | One longer night stretch may appear, daytime naps still variable. |
| 9–12 weeks | 13–16 hours | Night stretch slowly lengthens; baby still wakes to feed. |
For clear guidance on setup and safe gear, see the AAP’s family guide to safe sleep and the CDC sleep-safely checklist; both spell out back sleeping, a firm, flat surface, and a bare crib.
How Can Newborns Sleep Better At Night?
Night sleep grows from tiny cues repeated day after day. Think bright days, calm nights, full feeds, and a simple wind-down. These steps won’t force long sleep right away, yet they build a steady pattern.
Day–Night Cues
During the day, open the curtains, talk, and play when baby is awake. At night, dim lights, keep voices low, and handle feeds like quiet pit stops. That contrast helps the body clock sort out day from night over the first months.
Feed–Sleep Rhythm
Newborns wake to eat. Aim for full feeds, then a short awake window, then sleep. Many babies grow drowsy again 45–90 minutes after waking in the early weeks. If baby dozes off during a feed, a gentle burp and a brief pause often brings a better finish before sleep.
The “Drowsy But Awake” Idea
Try laying baby down when the eyes are heavy but not fully shut. Some newborns relax and drift off; others need more help. If fussing rises, pick up, soothe, and try again. You’re not spoiling a newborn by helping—comfort now lays the groundwork for calmer sleep later.
Pacifier Use At Sleep
Offering a clean pacifier at naps and bedtime can help some babies settle and may lower the risk of sleep-related death. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until feeding is going smoothly before introducing one. Don’t attach the pacifier to cords or stuffed toys in the crib. If it falls out after baby sleeps, no need to pop it back in.
Swaddling, Wearable Blankets, And Temperature
Swaddling can calm a fussy newborn, yet it must be done with care. Place baby only on the back when swaddled. Stop swaddling at the first signs of trying to roll. Skip weighted swaddles. Keep hips loose, with room for the legs to bend and splay. If wrapping isn’t your thing, use a sleep sack that doesn’t restrict the arms. To dress baby, use one more light layer than you’d wear to sleep. Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, or fast breathing.
| Method | Why It Helps | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contact calming (hold, rock, sway) | Regulates heart rate and settles a wired baby. | Transfer to a flat sleep surface once asleep. |
| Swaddle | Reduces startles that wake light sleepers. | Back sleeping only; stop with any rolling signs; keep hips loose. |
| Pacifier | Satisfies the urge to suck and can cue sleep. | No clips or plush add-ons in the crib; okay if it falls out during sleep. |
| White noise | Masks sudden sounds that break shallow sleep. | Place machine away from the crib and keep volume moderate. |
| Brief reset | Pick up for a minute when fussing spikes, then lay down again. | Repeat as needed; you’re teaching that the crib is a calm place. |
Room Sharing And Gear That Works
Keep baby in your room, near your bed, for at least the first six months. A simple crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet is all you need. Skip inclined sleepers, loungers, positioners, and bumper pads. If you like wearable blankets, pick one that doesn’t add weight to the chest. For warmth, dress baby instead of adding loose blankets. A pacifier and a dim room are often enough.
Sample 24-Hour Newborn Rhythm
Every baby writes a slightly different story. Here’s a gentle template you can adapt. Morning: wake, full feed, short play, then the first nap about an hour later. Late morning: feed again, brief awake time, then another nap. Midday: repeat. Late afternoon: one more nap, often shorter. Evening: cluster feeds are common, with two closer feeds before bed. Overnight: one longer stretch may appear, then one or two wake-ups to feed. Some nights bring more wakes; other nights stretch longer. The pattern shifts, though the core steps stay the same: feed, brief awake time, then sleep.
Why This Rhythm Helps
Full feeds reduce snacking and help naps run smoother. Short awake windows prevent overtired crying. A simple, calm evening routine tells baby that night has a different feel than day. You’re not chasing perfection; you’re repeating cues that make sleep predictable.
Caregiver Rest That Fits Real Life
Sleep in shifts when you can. Set up a small night-feed station with nearby water, burp cloths, diapers, and fresh pajamas to save trips. If a friend or relative offers a hand with dishes or laundry, say yes. Leave non-urgent tasks for later; rest is a task, too.
Naps And Wake Windows In The First Weeks
Newborn sleep scatters across the day. Many babies nap multiple times, with total sleep landing near the ranges in the table above. Wake windows start short and grow across the first three months. Watch for sleepy cues—slower movement, staring, a yawn, the first fusses—and start the wind-down before baby goes past that window. If naps feel stuck at 20–40 minutes, try an earlier start, a darker room, a calm swaddle or sleep sack, and a steady pre-nap song or phrase.
When Sleep Feels Hard: Quick Fixes
Lots of false starts at bedtime? Try pushing bedtime 15 minutes later and add one more burp or top-off feed. Use the same short wind-down so the cue stays clear.
Baby only naps on you? Hold for the first 10–15 minutes, then attempt a gentle crib transfer. Warm the fitted sheet with your hand for a moment so the surface doesn’t feel chilly.
Startles keep waking baby? Use a snug, hip-friendly swaddle, then switch to a sleeveless sleep sack once rolling signs show up.
Catnaps all day? Shift the first nap a bit earlier, aim for full feeds, and darken the room. Many babies link sleep cycles more easily when the room stays dim and quiet.
Early morning wake-ups? Keep the room dark, respond calmly, and treat any feed like a pit stop. Bright light waits until your chosen wake-up window.
Feeding And Sleep Go Hand In Hand
Night feeds are part of the newborn season. Keep them calm and boring: low lights, a diaper if needed, then a full feed and straight back to the crib or bassinet. Skip propped bottles. Hold your baby while feeding, with the head slightly raised, and pause for burps. If baby snoozes mid-feed, try a gentle shoulder rub, a brief diaper check, or a switch in sides to finish the meal. Full feeds by day often lead to smoother sleep later, since babies wake less to snack.
Skip couches and armchairs for sleep; they raise the risk of trapping and suffocation. If you nod off while feeding in bed, place baby back on the back in a clear crib or bassinet as soon as you wake. Car seats and swings are for rides and play. When the ride ends, or once baby dozes off, move to a firm, flat surface made for sleep.
What Safe Newborn Sleep Looks Like
You’ll see lots of little naps, a few longer stretches, and plenty of feeding. Some nights click; others feel choppy. That’s normal. Keep back sleeping, a firm, flat surface, a clear crib, and gentle, repeating cues. Over time, those basics shape longer, smoother sleep.