Newborn sleep totals about 14–17 hours in 24 hours, split into short stretches with wide variation between babies.
What Counts As Normal Newborn Sleep
Brand-new babies snooze a lot, but not in one long block. Across a day, most newborns land somewhere near 14–17 hours of sleep with naps and night sleep mixed together. Short wake periods, frequent feeding, and tiny stomachs keep sleep in pieces.
You can scan trusted guidance from the CDC sleep recommendations and AAP guidance. Both point to generous totals and remind parents that ranges are wide.
| Age | Total Sleep / 24h | Longest Night Stretch |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | 14–18 hours | 1–3 hours |
| 2–6 weeks | 14–18 hours | 2–4 hours |
| 7–12 weeks | 13–17 hours | 3–6 hours |
How Much Do Newborns Sleep Per Day: Realistic Ranges
There’s no single number that fits every baby. One newborn may nap in many short bursts and still reach 15–16 hours. Another may log longer naps yet total closer to 14 hours. A rare outlier may sit outside the range for a few days during growth spurts or busy evenings. What matters most is steady feeding, content wake times, and a slow rise in longest night stretch as weeks pass.
You’ll also notice day-to-day wobble. Shots, visitors, travel, or cluster feeding can swing sleep earlier or later. Think in averages over three to five days.
Why Sleep Comes In Short Bursts
Newborn sleep cycles are short and light. About half the time is active sleep with twitching and little sounds. The rest is deeper, quieter sleep. Circadian rhythms have not settled yet, so day and night feel similar for a while. Add the small tummy size, and frequent feeds keep naps brief until intake rises.
Spotting Sleep Cues Before Overtiredness
Catch the window and settling gets easier. Watch for red eyelids or brows, slower moves, zoning out, brief fussing, rooting, or a gentle yawn. Once crying ramps up, a baby may fight sleep and need more help to reset.
- Early cues: quiet stare, softer limbs, gaze turning away.
- Mid cues: rubbing eyes or ears, mild grizzle, hiccups.
- Late cues: arching, strong crying, rigid arms and legs.
Safe Sleep Basics You Can Trust
Contented sleep starts with a safe setup. Follow the AAP policy to lower risks while your baby rests.
Back To Sleep, Every Time
Place your baby on the back for all sleep, naps and nights. Once rolling both ways, start on the back and let baby settle.
Simple, Firm Sleep Surface
Use a flat, firm mattress with a fitted sheet in a safety-tested crib, bassinet, or play yard. Skip pillows, quilts, bumpers, and soft toys entirely.
Room Share, Not Bed Share
Keep the sleep space in your room for the first months. Keep cords and hanging fabric away.
Comfortable Temperature
Dress baby in one more layer than you’d wear. Hands and feet may feel cool; check the chest for warmth.
See the AAP’s plain-language policy explainer on keeping sleeping babies safe for full guidance.
Sample Day: Feeds, Naps, And Wake Windows
Below is a gentle rhythm many families like. It isn’t a rulebook. Use it as a sketch you can bend around feeding needs and your baby’s cues.
- 6:30–7:30 a.m. Wake, feed, snuggle, light by the window.
- 8:00 a.m. Nap 1, then diaper and feed on waking.
- 11:30 a.m. Nap 2, then a full feed and calm floor time.
- 2:30 p.m. Nap 3; contact naps are fine if you need them.
- 6:00 p.m. Wind-down, feed, dim lights, quick bath by choice.
- 6:45–8:00 p.m. Bedtime, then feeds overnight as needed.
Many newborns still take a late catnap. If bedtime gets too late, shorten that nap or move it earlier.
Wake Windows And Nap Ranges (0–12 Weeks)
Wake windows are the stretch of time a baby stays awake before the next nap. These ranges widen as stamina grows. Use the low end when naps are short or baby looks tired; use the high end after solid naps.
| Age | Typical Wake Window | Usual Naps / Day |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 weeks | 35–60 minutes | 6–8+ |
| 3–6 weeks | 45–75 minutes | 5–7 |
| 7–12 weeks | 60–90 minutes | 4–6 |
Helping Longer Night Stretches
You can’t force sleep, yet small habits can stack the deck. Aim for full feeds, gentle daylight cues, and a calm, repeatable bedtime flow.
- Feed well in the day: Offer responsive feeds; many babies take 8–12 feeds across 24 hours in early weeks.
- Keep nights calm: Dim lights, quiet voices, and short changes to signal night.
- Try a swaddle: If your baby isn’t rolling, a snug swaddle can settle startles. Switch to a wearable blanket once rolling.
- Create a mini routine: Feed, wipe-down or bath, fresh diaper, short book or song, then down drowsy or fully asleep—either path is fine.
Common Hurdles And Simple Fixes
Most bumps pass with time. Here are frequent snags and practical things to try.
- Day-night mix-up: Keep days bright and chatty, keep nights dark and brief.
- Catnaps all day: Short naps are normal. Offer another nap sooner and stretch wake time slowly as naps lengthen.
- Evening fussies: This “witching hour” peaks near six weeks; front-load naps and lean on movement.
- Early morning wakes: Top up daytime calories, keep first wake window short, and add white noise at dawn.
When Sleep Needs Shift
A baby’s longest night stretch often grows by week eight to ten. Some reach one four-to-six-hour span, then return to two-to-three-hour feeds during a growth rush. Nap count also drifts down from many catnaps toward four to six naps by twelve weeks.
Bursts in feeding, new smiles, louder babble, or new head control can all pair with lighter naps for a spell. Protect bedtime, keep that last wake window on the short side, and cycles settle again.
When To Talk With A Pediatrician
Reach out for care if your newborn sleeps less than 10 hours total day after day, snoozes past 20 hours with low energy between wakes, has poor weight gain, breathes with long pauses or heavy pull at the ribs, turns blue around the lips, or has a fever. Trust your gut and call for help any time you’re worried.
What Matters Most
Newborn sleep is a range, not a target. Aim for safe sleep, steady feeds, short wake windows, and a simple bedtime flow. Track trends over a few days, not just one night. With growth, nights string together and naps settle. You’ve got this, day by day, right now.
Night Wakings: What’s Typical By Week
Feeds are the main driver of night wakes. In weeks one to four, many babies feed every two to three hours around the clock. By weeks five to eight, some stretch to three to four hours at night. Near weeks nine to twelve, a few manage one four-to-six-hour span, then wake again for another feed or two. Both patterns fit inside normal.
Count feeds, not just wakes. If your baby snacks often, try offering a bit more milk during daytime feeds when cues say “I’m hungry.” That single change can reduce extra night snacking over several days.
Daytime Setups That Help Sleep
Little tweaks during the day make nights smoother. Think bright mornings, playful tummy time, and full feeds without rush. Keep a loose rhythm: wake, feed, play, sleep. When naps run late, shave a few minutes off the last wake window so bedtime stays calm.
- Light and noise by day: Open blinds and chat during feeds so the brain tags that time as daytime.
- Dark and quiet by night: Use a dim lamp and keep voices soft to mark the difference.
- Wind-down: Ten minutes of low light and a repeatable order signals a nap is coming.
Practical Swaddle And Soothing Tips
If your baby isn’t rolling, a breathable swaddle can calm startles. Wrap snug at the chest and hips with room for the legs to move. Stop swaddling once rolling starts and switch to a wearable blanket. Many families pair swaddling with rhythmic pats. Keep the crib free of loose blankets and soft items.
Some babies like a pacifier. Offer it after feeding is going well. If it falls out and your baby stirs, you can replace it during those early weeks. Later on, many babies keep it in longer on their own.
Tracking Sleep Without Stress
A simple log helps you spot patterns. Jot down wake times, nap start and end, longest night stretch, and total feeds. Looking back over three to five days shows whether wake windows are too long, whether naps are stacking at the wrong times, or whether bedtime slides late. If tracking adds pressure, drop it for a while; your baby won’t lose ground.
Smartwatches and apps can misread newborn movement as wake time. Trust your eyes over any gadget. If a device reads short sleep but your baby is calm and growing, you’re on track.
Travel, Visitors, And Growth Spurts
Big days can shake up sleep. Car seats, new rooms, and new faces bring extra arousal. Offer an extra nap or an early bedtime after a busy stretch. During growth spurts, babies often cluster feed in the evening and wake more at night for a few days. Front-load rest, keep the room dark at night, and routines settle again.
If Your Baby Was Born Early
Preterm babies often need even shorter wake windows and more frequent feeds. Use corrected age when you check ranges. Many families see lighter sleep and more wakings until weight gain picks up and the due date passes. Your neonatal team can tailor guidance to your baby’s needs.