How Many Hours Does A Newborn Sleep A Day? | Baby Sleep Map

Newborn sleep hours per day: What to expect

During the first months, sleep is scattered. Many babies total 14–17 hours across a day, yet no two patterns look the same. Some reach the high end of that range, others sit lower but still thrive. Short naps, frequent night waking, and irregular timing are common in this stage.

Pediatric guides note that newborns often log 16–17 hours but in small chunks, not long blocks. As weeks pass, stretches lengthen and the total inches down. Room for normal variation is wide, so aim for steady growth, active feeds, and content wake times over chasing a specific number. A plain-language overview sits on the AAP’s parent site, HealthyChildren.org.

Sleep across the first months (typical ranges)

Age	Total sleep/24h	Usual longest stretch
0–2 weeks	14–18 hours	1–3 hours
2–4 weeks	14–18 hours	1.5–3.5 hours
4–8 weeks	14–17 hours	2–4 hours
2–3 months	13–17 hours	3–6 hours

Why sleep comes in short bursts

A tiny stomach means frequent feeds. Newborns also spend a large share of time in active (lighter) sleep, cycling fast between stages. That lighter sleep helps with feeding readiness and protects breathing, so brief wakings are expected. Over time, circadian rhythms mature and stretches lengthen.

Wake windows and sleepy signals

Fresh babies manage short awake periods before they need to sleep again. Watch your baby rather than the clock, and use cues to guide you. Common signs include red brows, zoning out, slower movements, a brief stare, or sudden fussing after a calm spell. If you start a nap when early signs appear, settling tends to come easier.

Typical awake spans grow slowly in the early weeks. Many babies handle around 35–60 minutes in the first couple of weeks, edging toward 60–90 minutes by 6–10 weeks. Growth spurts and busy days can narrow those spans for a bit.

Day and night: Flipping the switch

Many newborns mix up day and night. To help reset the body clock, keep days bright and social, with feeds and play near a window. Keep nights dim and calm, with quiet changes and low voices. Gentle morning light, a steady bedtime wind-down, and a regular first feed time help anchor the rhythm.

Safe sleep basics that never change

Back to sleep for every nap and night sleep. Use a clear, flat, firm surface such as a safety-approved crib or bassinet with a fitted sheet only. Share a room, not a bed, for the first months. Keep pillows, loose blankets, bumpers, and soft toys out of the sleep space. Avoid inclined seats for sleep. These steps lower sleep-related risks and keep breathing clear.

For policy details in plain language, see the CDC safe sleep guidance. If you use a wearable blanket or swaddle, leave hips loose and stop swaddling when rolling starts.

Feeding and sleep: The rhythm

Newborns feed often, day and night. Cluster feeds in the evening can be part of the picture. Full feeds help lengthen sleep, so try not to rush when baby wakes. Burp well, offer both sides if nursing, and give a calm minute upright before laying down again. If baby snoozes mid-feed, a gentle stir, diaper change, or switch sides can bring them back to finish.

Naps: Length, number, and timing

Naps in this stage are short and uneven. Twenty minutes can be normal; two hours can also show up. If a nap creeps much past two hours in the day, a quiet wake-up supports night sleep and steady feeds. Many families find a loose pattern by 6–8 weeks: wake, feed, a short play, then back down when sleepy signs appear.

Night stretch growth timeline

By the end of the second month, some babies gift their parents a longer first night stretch. Three to six hours can start to appear, often earlier in the night. Others take longer, and that is fine. Follow growth, diapers, and mood as your scoreboard. If weight gain is solid and feeds are effective, longer stretches will come.

Sample day: A gentle flow

Every baby writes a unique script, yet a steady outline helps. Here is one way a 24-hour period might feel around 6–8 weeks. Adjust for your baby’s cues:

• 6:30–7:00 Wake and full feed; bright light near a window.
• 7:45–8:30 Nap (30–45 minutes).
• 8:30–9:00 Feed; short floor time; fresh diaper.
• 9:45–10:30 Nap.
• 10:30–11:00 Feed; a walk or gentle tummy time.
• 11:45–12:30 Nap.
• 12:30–1:00 Feed; cuddle; brief play.
• 1:45–2:30 Nap.
• 2:30–3:00 Feed; light play; diaper; fresh air if you can.
• 3:45–4:30 Nap.
• 4:30–6:30 Cluster feeds as needed; calm play; bath if you like.
• 6:30–7:00 Short nap or quiet rest.
• 7:30 Feed and wind-down: dim room, soft voices, simple routine.
• 8:00 Night sleep begins; feed on wake as needed overnight.

Safe sleep setup at a glance

Use this quick table when setting up your baby’s sleep space. It follows mainstream pediatric guidance and keeps the area clear and breathable.

Safe sleep checklist

Do	Don’t	Why
Place baby on the back	Side or tummy sleeping	Back sleep helps keep airways open
Use a flat, firm surface	Inclined seats, car seats, swings for sleep	Flat, firm lowers airway blockage risk
Room share in a crib or bassinet	Bed share with adults	Nearby monitoring without soft bedding
Keep sleep area bare	Loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, toys	Reduces entrapment and re-breathing
Stop swaddling once rolling	Swaddle a rolling baby	Arms free supports self-rescue

When to seek medical help

Call your baby’s clinician without delay for breathing trouble, color change, poor feeding, fever, hard to wake, fewer wet diapers, or if you sense something is off. For weight gain concerns or nonstop crying, arrange a prompt visit. Trust your instincts; early care keeps small issues from growing.

How parents help longer stretches

Think steady inputs. Aim for full feeds by day, daylight exposure after wake-ups, and a simple bedtime routine you can repeat anywhere: feed, clean diaper, brief song, and down drowsy but awake when you can. Keep night care low-key—dim light, minimal talk—to protect the night cue. Many families see the first longer stretch arrive when feeds are efficient and days feel more predictable.

Trusted guidance you can use

Bookmark the CDC link above for safety rules and the AAP link earlier for practical sleep notes. These two pages sit well with the advice here and give you quick, reliable refreshers when questions pop up.

Quick reference points

• Most newborns land near 14–17 hours of total sleep in 24 hours, split into many short bouts.
• Awake spans start short and grow slowly; watch cues to time naps.
• Daylight by day and a calm, dim night help reset a mixed-up body clock.
• Back to sleep, clear space, and room sharing in a crib or bassinet are non-negotiables for safety.
• Longer night stretches often appear by 8–12 weeks, yet pace varies widely.