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Adjusting to a newborn sleep schedule can be daunting. New parents may have many sleepless nights trying to help them rest. But here's the truth: newborns can't follow a strict schedule in the first few months, and that's completely normal.
This guide will help you understand newborn sleep patterns, know what to expect, and learn practical ways to help both you and your baby get the rest you need.
Not in the first 6-8 weeks. Trying to start a baby on a sleep schedule during the first few months is not recommended. Their sleep cycles are unpredictable, and it's hard to establish a sleep schedule that fits their feeding and diapering needs. It will only leave you frustrated and may make you feel as if you are not being a good parent. You are being a good parent. Give yourself grace and enjoy your newborn.
Instead, focus on:
After 2-3 months, your baby will start to develop more regular sleep patterns, and you can gradually introduce a routine.
There is no way to pinpoint how much your baby will sleep. There are so many factors to consider:
According to the Cleveland Clinic, most babies sleep 14 to 17 hours daily in the first weeks after birth, but this time will vary with every baby. Sleep times for your children may not be the same as their siblings.
| Age | Recommended Sleep | What This Looks Like |
| Newborns (0-6 weeks) | 14-17 hours | Sleep in short bursts (20 min - 4 hours). No day/night distinction yet. |
| 2 months | 14-17 hours | Starting to have slightly longer stretches at night (up to 6 hours). Still 3-5 naps during the day. |
| 3 months | 14-16 hours | More consistent patterns emerging. Night sleep: 8-10 hours (with waking). Day naps: 3-4 times. |
Remember: Different babies require different amounts of sleep. The length of each sleep cycle for your baby will also be different. They may sleep in short chunks or for more extended periods. The short bursts of sleep that babies may have in a 24-hour period may last for 20 to 50 minutes.
Newborn babies need to sleep. Growth and newborn development require a lot of energy, and your baby must sleep to support their mental and physical health.
The Sleep Foundation states that newborn babies have two sleep stages. The stages of sleep for a newborn are very different from those of an adult. Their sleep cycle begins to mirror an adult's when they are around three to four months old.
The sleep stages of newborns are rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). Most newborn babies sleep in REM and one stage of NREM for equal amounts of time.
During this stage of sleep, your baby can be seen making small movements with their arms, legs, fingers, and toes. In REM sleep, their breathing may be faster, and they may twitch or jerk. Their eyes move around behind closed lids.
You will not see any of these movements during NREM sleep.
Babies cannot tell night from day. As they age, they will start to establish more regular sleep patterns. The newborn circadian rhythm may not develop until after the first few months of life. This is when babies settle into a more consistent routine, and their bodies start telling them to be awake more during daylight hours and sleep more at night.
As your baby matures to three months of age, their sleep development exhibits more of the adult sleep stages. After three months, your baby will spend less time in REM sleep, and the NREM stages will all begin to become visible. As your baby grows, they begin to develop a better circadian rhythm, and their sleep looks more like an adult's.
⚠️ Important: These Are Examples, NOT Strict Schedules
As mentioned, you cannot predict or schedule your baby's sleep patterns. They dictate how much sleep they need, so long as there aren't any other child health issues. Don't expect them to sleep through the night when they are in the first weeks. They've been in your womb with no light for nine months, so they have no perception of day and night until they are a few weeks old.
However, these schedule examples help you understand what to expect during the first few months of their life and prepare for some of the things you may encounter. Remember, your newborn is only interested in three things during the first few weeks: Eating, filling their diaper, and sleeping.
At this stage, there is no pattern yet. Your baby's day might look something like this, but it could be completely different:
What a Day Might Look Like:
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 a.m. | Wake, diaper change |
| 7:15 a.m. | Feeding |
| 7:45 a.m. | Nap |
| 9:15 a.m. | Feeding and diaper change |
| 9:30 a.m. | Nap |
| 11:15 a.m. | Feeding and diaper change |
| 12:00 p.m. | Nap |
| Pattern continues... | Feed every 2-3 hours, nap between feedings |
| 10:00 p.m. | Down for longest sleep stretch |
| Throughout night | 2-3 night feedings |
Your Focus: Nurturing and nutrition during the first few months. Learn your baby's hunger cues and concentrate on ensuring they have full bellies and the recommended calories for their little bodies. Feeding doesn't have to be rigidly scheduled; just try to feed them according to hunger cues at least every 2-3 hours. You cannot achieve a rigid schedule at this point, and perfection is unnecessary.
This is the time to get to know your infant better. Encourage them to respond to your voice and your face. Interact with them during their awake hours to help them see the difference between day and night. Their tummy time is a good time to encourage them to look at you and follow your movements with their eyes. The more active they are with you, the better they will sleep.
By this age, you may start to see some consistency in your baby's sleep patterns.
Sleep Breakdown:
| Age | Total Sleep | Night Sleep | Daytime Naps |
| 2 months | 14-17 hrs | 8-9 hrs (with 1-2 wake-ups) | 3-5 naps, 30 min-3 hrs each |
| 3 months | 14-16 hrs | 8-10 hrs (with 1-2 wake-ups) | 3-4 naps, 30 min-2 hrs each |
What Changes:
Your Focus: Most pediatricians agree that you may let your baby sleep at longer intervals during the night. Your baby will let you know when they are hungry or their diaper is soiled!
First of all, be flexible. Allow your baby to set their own rhythm at the beginning. Get to know their hunger cues, diapering needs, and sleep cues. Once you know the typical times they usually do things, helping them establish a routine will be easier.
Tips for helping your baby fall asleep, stay asleep, and go back to sleep:
The Mayo Clinic experts recommend that newborns sleep in your room for the first 6 months to 1 year—in your room, not in your bed. The safest place for your infant is in a bassinet or crib with no bedding, toys, or other things that can obstruct their breathing. Research shows this practice helps lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
It's never too early to get yourself into a bedtime routine; just don't expect your baby to respond to it or change their sleep patterns for the first few weeks to months. It will be a while before they sleep through the night.
Sample Routine:
Light exposure may signal the newborn to think it's time to stay awake. If you can see with a night light or sound machine, this will help. You can feed them with this light, and they may be able to get right back to their sleep when they are full. Soft music can also induce sleepiness.
Sleep Environment Tip: For parents looking to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, the Momcozy CozyBreath Baby Air Purifier is a perfect multitasker. It runs at a whisper-quiet 21dB to ensure undisturbed sleep. Plus, the built-in dimmable nightlight provides a soft glow for nighttime care, allowing you to avoid harsh overhead lights.
This pattern may be hard to break as they age, as they will expect to be in your arms to fall asleep. If they awaken during a nap or at night, they may not be able to fall back asleep on their own because they will expect to be in your arms. Allow them to become sleepy in your arms, but then put them in their own crib or bassinet to fall asleep.
When you see these signs, start your wind-down routine immediately. An overtired baby is harder to settle.
There is evidence that tummy time for your child during the daylight hours helps them sleep at longer intervals at night. The study concluded that starting tummy time early helps gross motor skills and the development of longer sleep even as your child grows beyond their first birthday.
Bathing right before bed can be soothing and induce sleep. Just like an adult taking a shower before climbing into bed, the bath for a newborn with a fresh diaper and night clothes (pajamas) can cue the baby that sleep is coming.
Sleep Comfort Tip: When dressing baby for sleep, consider breathable fabrics that help regulate temperature. Momcozy Baby Pajamas feature a unique BB-TEMP label that shows your baby's clothing surface temperature, helping you adjust for the room's warmth. Made of ultra-soft bamboo fabric, they allow airflow and absorb moisture—important since overheating has been noted as a significant factor in SIDS.
Remember: It's essential to keep your baby warm, but not too warm, as they sleep.
In 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) introduced the "Back to Sleep" campaign, urging parents to only place their babies on their backs for sleep. This was to help prevent SIDS. This practice has significantly reduced the incidence of SIDS since then. In 2022, they updated their policy; you can find some of their recommendations for positioning below.
The AAP recommends:
Most babies will show you when they need to eat or sleep. However, call your doctor if:
Call Immediately If:
Your pediatrician will most likely want to see your baby immediately or recommend that you take them to the emergency room or call 911.
Schedule an Appointment If:
Both you and your baby will need sleep in the first few weeks of their life. They may get a lot, and you may not. Sleep time will not seem equal between you and your infant. Short periods of being awake and asleep leave parents with never enough sleep or only a few short hours of sleep.
Keep your baby active. Sleep when they sleep. Until they are a few months of age, they may not be able to have a sleep routine, and you should not be too hard on yourself about it. In their growth spurts, even an older baby may not sleep well after they have been doing so. Teething may become a factor. Do not try to judge your child's routine by other babies.
You will be ready for sleep; hopefully, they will be too!
At one week old, babies must be fed every 2-3 hours, so you should wake them for their feedings.
Babies in their first month must eat every 2-3 hours. Nutrition is key during this period of their life. Wake them for feedings.
Most babies should be down for the night by 10:00 p.m.
A newborn will sleep 14-17 out of 24 hours. You should call your pediatrician for recommendations if your baby sleeps more than that. Remember that a baby needs to be fed, even nighttime feedings, every 2-3 hours for their nutritional health.
Lethargy is a lack of alertness and energy. If your baby is always listless or drowsy, does not respond to stimulation, or is not interested in feeding or alertness, notify your pediatrician immediately. They will most likely want to see your baby immediately or recommend that you take them to the emergency room or call 911.
Yes. Babies may sleep for up to 17 hours a day. While they are awake for feedings and diapering, interact with your baby and encourage them to stay alert. They will give you cues when they want to sleep again, but monitor their total sleep times. Notify your pediatrician if you have concerns about their sleep-wake patterns.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
