Newborns sleep about 14–17 hours per 24 hours, usually in 1–3 hour stretches split between day and night in the early months.
How many hours do newborns sleep each day? Real-world range
Across the first twelve weeks, most babies rack up a lot of shut-eye. The common range sits near 14–17 hours in a full day, counted across naps and night sleep. Some days will run shorter, others longer. Feeding needs, growth spurts, and recovery from birth all shift the total. You’ll also see big swings from baby to baby, which is normal.
The public health guidance for a newborn (0–3 months) points to a recommended 14–17 hours of sleep per 24 hours. That number isn’t a quota. It’s a ballpark that helps parents see the pattern across a full day rather than judging a single nap or night. Think in days, not single naps, and you’ll read your baby’s sleep with far less stress.
| Age window | Typical total in 24h | Usual stretch length |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 week | 15–18 hours | 1–2 hours |
| 2–3 weeks | 14–17 hours | 1–2 hours |
| 4–6 weeks | 14–17 hours | 1–3 hours |
| 7–9 weeks | 14–16 hours | 2–3 hours |
| 10–12 weeks | 13–16 hours | 2–4 hours |
Why newborn sleep looks scattered
Feeding drives the rhythm
Tiny stomachs empty fast. Newborns need frequent feeds, so sleep arrives in short bursts. Breastfed babies often feed 8–12 times a day, with many cluster sessions. Formula-fed babies may go a bit longer between feeds. Either way, frequent calories set the pace, not a clock on the wall. That’s why one night can look totally different from the next even when you keep a steady routine.
Body clocks need time
The internal clock that guides day and night takes weeks to settle. Early on, many babies snooze more in daylight and wake often at night. Gentle daylight exposure, sounds of family life in the daytime, and dim, calm nights give the brain the cues it needs. Over time those cues help link longer stretches at night and shorter, more organized naps by day.
Sleep cycles run short
Newborn sleep cycles are brief. Light sleep shows up often, with quick stirrings and noisy breaths. Many grunts and wiggles fall into light sleep. If your baby settles within a minute or two, that was a partial arousal, not a real wake-up. Waiting a short beat before stepping in can let some of those partial arousals pass on their own.
Day sleep versus night sleep in the first months
Across the first month, naps can fill as much time as night sleep. By eight to twelve weeks, many babies start linking a longer night stretch, even if one or two feeds still happen. A few babies link that longer stretch earlier; others take more time. Wide variation stays normal here. Look for progress across weeks rather than chasing a single “perfect” night.
What counts as a long stretch
In the early weeks, a “long stretch” might be three hours. By two to three months, many babies reach one stretch near four to six hours. That doesn’t mean the night holds zero wakes. It means one part of the night lengthens while total daily sleep still lands near the same range. The shape changes first, then the total slowly shifts as feeds spread out.
How to track without stress
Simple logs help spot patterns. Jot start and end times for naps and night sleep, plus feeds and diapers. Two or three days of notes can reveal a sleepy window that repeats. Use that window to start wind-down a touch earlier, which can lead to easier settling and fewer overtired tears.
Safe sleep basics you can trust
Place your baby on the back for every sleep, use a firm, flat surface, and keep loose items out of the sleep space. Room share, not bed share, for the early months. A pacifier at sleep time can help some babies. Dress for comfort to avoid overheating. For full guidance, see the AAP’s plain-language summary, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe. Safety first makes every hour of sleep count.
Practical ways to shape a calmer night
Set a gentle evening flow
Create a short, repeatable pattern: feed, brief wind-down, and bed on the back in a clear sleep space. Keep the room dark and quiet at night, with diaper changes swift and calm. That neat, steady routine helps babies link cues with sleep without long battles. If the day went off-track, the evening pattern still gives a stable landing zone.
Work with sleepy signs
Early sleepy cues include red eyelids, a glassy stare, slower movement, and soft fussing. When you see those signs, start wind-down. Waiting too long can lead to an overtired baby who fights sleep and takes longer to settle. A short song, a dim lamp, and a few calm minutes in arms can be enough.
Use daytime light and movement
Morning light, tummy-safe play, and time upright after feeds support digestion and clock learning. Keep daytime naps in light rooms where normal home sounds carry on, then dim the space at night to mark the change. That clear contrast teaches the brain when to power up and when to power down.
Protect naps without chasing unicorns
Short naps are common at this age. Two short naps can equal one longer nap. What matters most is the full day total. If a nap ends early, a brief reset—fresh air, a cuddle, or a clean diaper—can set up the next sleep. Aim for steady input, not perfect outputs, and you’ll still land near the daily range.
What to try when nights feel upside down
Start the morning at a consistent time, open the curtains, and feed soon after wake-up. Offer naps based on sleepy signs more than the clock. Keep the first stretch of night as calm and dark as possible. If gas or reflux seems to bother your baby, hold upright after feeds and burp well. Tiny adjustments add up across the week.
| Cue | What it may mean | Helpful move |
|---|---|---|
| Staring or looking away | Brain is tired of input | Dim lights; lower noise |
| Red eyelids or brows | Sleep pressure rising | Begin wind-down now |
| Yawns and hiccups | Body says “time to rest” | Swaddle if used; start nap |
| Rubs face or ears | Self-soothing attempt | Offer pacifier; hold close |
| Fussy, then quiet | Window is closing | Rock briefly; lay down drowsy |
| Rapid flailing limbs | Nervous system busy | Hands to midline; snug swaddle |
| Short catnap after feed | Refuel done, reset needed | Burp; gentle upright time |
Realistic sample days across the first months
Weeks 1–2
Frequent feeds, many short naps, and multiple night wakes. Aim for calm changes at night, regular daylight exposure, and naps as needed to reach the daily total. Some babies do a longer stretch in the morning; others save it for the first part of the night. Either pattern can still meet the daily hours.
Weeks 3–6
Some longer stretches appear. Cluster feeds in the evening remain common. A short, steady bedtime pattern eases the switch from day to night. If naps stayed short all day, start wind-down a touch earlier at night to prevent a second wind that pushes bedtime late.
Weeks 7–12
Many babies link one longer night stretch. Daytime may still bring short naps. Keep the routine steady and avoid chasing a perfect schedule that shifts daily. If your baby wakes happy after a short nap, count it and move on. If your baby wakes upset, soothe, try a brief resettle, and then reset the day with light and a feed if due.
Common questions parents ask
Is my baby sleeping too much?
If your newborn sometimes lands near 18 hours in a day, that can still fit the range. If long sleep pairs with poor feeds, few wet diapers, or hard-to-wake spells, call your baby’s doctor. Sleep should ride along with steady feeds, decent diaper counts, and growing alert times across the month.
Is my baby sleeping too little?
Some babies total near 12–13 hours for a day here and there. Growth spurts, gas, or travel can shave time. Track a few days before worrying about a single off day. If short totals stack up with weight concerns or low intake, call your care team and bring your notes.
Do naps need to be dark and silent?
No. Daylight and normal home sounds teach the clock. Reserve dark and quiet for night so the contrast stays clear. That day-night split builds a helpful signal without fancy gear.
When will my baby “sleep through the night”?
Many reach a five-to-six-hour stretch by two to three months. True all-night sleep without feeds comes later for many babies. Watch the full day total more than the exact shape of one night. Long nights arrive faster when daytime calories and calm evenings line up.
When to call the doctor
Reach out fast for breathing trouble, blue color, fever in a newborn, limpness, or hard-to-wake spells. Also call for fewer than six wet diapers in a day after the first week, hungry cries with poor intake, deep yellowing of the skin or eyes, or long pauses in breath during sleep. Your care team can check growth, feeding, and any medical concerns.
Quick takeaways on newborn sleep time
- Most newborns sleep near 14–17 hours across a day, with wide normal range.
- Short, frequent stretches reflect small stomachs and a clock still learning day from night.
- Back to sleep, firm flat surface, and a clear crib keep sleep safer.
- Think in days, not single naps. The total matters more than one short snooze.
- A simple, steady bedtime pattern helps link cues with sleep over time.