Most newborns sleep about 14–17 hours in 24 hours, in short stretches, though newborn sleep varies widely in the first 8–12 weeks.
Those first weeks blur into feeds, diapers, and drowsy cuddles. In between all that, your baby racks up a lot of shut-eye—just not in one long block. Understanding a normal range keeps expectations grounded and helps you spot patterns without stress.
Here’s a clear guide to daily totals for newborn sleep, what those hours look like across a full day, and simple ways to support safer, calmer rest while you get to know your baby.
Newborn Sleep Snapshot (0–3 Months)
| Age | Typical Total (24h) | What Parents Notice |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | 14–18 hrs | Frequent feeds, 1–3 hr stretches |
| 2–4 weeks | 14–17 hrs | Still round-the-clock; brief wake windows |
| 4–8 weeks | 13–17 hrs | Longest stretch often lands in the evening |
| 8–12 weeks | 12–16 hrs | Night consolidates gradually; naps remain |
How Many Hours A Day Do Newborns Sleep: Real-World Ranges
Across a full day, a typical newborn lands near 14–17 total hours. That number comes from population data used by public-health groups and sleep organizations, and it includes naps. Many babies fall close to the middle of that band; some drift above or below.
The CDC sleep chart lists 14–17 hours for ages 0–3 months. Pediatric guidance often describes newborn totals near 16–17 hours, with sleep broken into 1–3 hour chunks as feeds drive the rhythm.
If your baby clocks, say, 12 hours one day and 16 the next, that can be normal, especially in the early weeks when feeds, diaper changes, and growth spurts shift the rhythm.
Why Newborns Sleep So Much
Rapid growth and brain wiring demand a ton of downtime. Stomach capacity is tiny, so feeds come often. Circadian timing isn’t mature yet, so day and night blend together. All of that produces lots of sleep with brief wake windows.
You’ll also notice active (REM-like) phases mixed with quieter phases. During those lighter phases, you may see twitches, grins, or noisy breathing. Light sleep helps the brain form connections, which is one reason newborns rack up so many hours.
What A 24-Hour Day Can Look Like
There’s no single schedule that fits every baby, but a sample day shows how the total adds up. Think in cycles—feed, a short awake spell, then back to sleep. Night brings the longest stretch, though it may still be only two to four hours at first.
- 6:00 a.m.: Feed, diaper, 45–60 minutes awake, then nap
- 8:00 a.m.: Nap 1–2 hours; wake, feed, brief play
- 11:00 a.m.: Another nap; length varies
- 2:00 p.m.: Wake window of 60–75 minutes, then nap
- 4:00 p.m.: Catnap; evening can be fussy
- 7:00–8:00 p.m.: Bedtime stretch starts
- Overnight: 2–4 hour blocks with feeds between
Wake Windows And Naps
Wake windows start very short, then lengthen gradually. Use them as a gentle cue—not a rigid rule—to time feeds and naps without overtired meltdowns.
Common Wake Windows (0–3 Months)
| Age | Typical Wake Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 weeks | 30–60 minutes | Often just feed + diaper before drowsy signs |
| 4–8 weeks | 45–75 minutes | First wake window of the day is usually shortest |
| 8–12 weeks | 60–90 minutes | Watch sleepy cues: staring, zoning out, slower movements |
Reading Sleepy Cues
Look for softer signs like turning away, red brows, shorter bursts of engagement, slower limb movements, or a quiet stare. Those hints beat the clock and help you start the next nap before overtired tears show up.
Feeding, Growth Spurts, And Sleep
On days with cluster feeds, total sleep may dip in the evening and rebound later. During growth spurts, babies often snooze more after a flurry of feeds. If weight gain is on track and diapers are steady, small swings in sleep time are expected.
Breast milk digests quickly, which can mean tighter overnight feed gaps early on. Bottle-fed babies sometimes string together a slightly longer first stretch. Either way, hunger cues take priority over the clock.
Safe Sleep Basics While You Track Hours
Place baby on the back for every sleep, on a firm, flat surface with a fitted sheet, with no pillows, blankets, or bumpers. Share a room, not a bed, for the first months. Keep the sleep space smoke-free.
These steps echo AAP guidance to lower sleep-related risks. For details, see the AAP’s Back To Sleep update on HealthyChildren and policy summaries from pediatric groups. See Back To Sleep for the plain-language overview.
When To Call The Pediatrician About Sleep
Reach out without delay if you notice any of the following during the newborn period:
- Very hard to wake, weak cry, or poor feeding across multiple cycles
- Persistent breathing noise with retractions, wheeze, or color change
- Total sleep far below 12 hours day after day, or far above 19 hours with low energy when awake
- Fewer than about 6 wet diapers a day after the first week
- Fever in an infant under 3 months (your doctor will give exact steps)
Quick Tips To Support Better Rest
- Dim lights and lower stimulation 30 minutes before the longest night stretch
- Offer a full feed when baby wakes; avoid long snacky feeds right before the crib
- Swaddle for sleep if your baby isn’t rolling; transition out once rolling appears
- Use white noise at a steady, low level; keep the room cool and breathable
- Start a tiny pre-sleep routine: change, short cuddle, brief song, down drowsy
Reference: 0–3 month totals of 14–17 hours are listed in public-health guidance such as the CDC sleep chart. Safe sleep steps follow American Academy of Pediatrics advice; see the HealthyChildren.org page linked above.