Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns: What to Expect

Newborn sleep can feel chaotic—because it is. Your baby hasn't yet developed the circadian rhythm that tells them night is for sleeping. Understanding what's normal can help you cope during these exhausting early weeks and recognize that this phase is temporary.

This guide explains newborn sleep biology and what to expect in the first few months.

What You Need to Know AAP

Newborn sleep totals:

• Newborns sleep 14-17 hours per day
• But never for long stretches—usually 2-4 hours at a time
• Sleep is distributed throughout day and night
• No day/night pattern exists initially

Why newborns sleep this way:

*Biological reasons:*

• Small stomachs need frequent feeding
• Rapid brain development requires sleep
• No circadian rhythm developed yet
• Sleep cycles are shorter (50-60 minutes vs. adult 90 minutes)

*What this means:*

• Night waking is normal and necessary
• Can't "train" a newborn to sleep through the night
• Patterns emerge gradually over weeks/months
• Every baby is different AAP

Newborn Sleep Cycles

How newborn sleep differs from adult sleep:

*Adults:*

• 90-minute sleep cycles
• Move through light sleep, deep sleep, REM
• Can put themselves back to sleep between cycles

*Newborns:*

• 50-60 minute sleep cycles
• Spend more time in REM (active) sleep
• Often wake between cycles
• May need help falling back asleep

Active (REM) sleep in newborns:

• More REM sleep than adults
• May twitch, move, make sounds
• Eyes may flutter under lids
• This is normal—don't assume they're awake
• Brain development happens during REM

Quiet (deep) sleep:

• Less movement
• Regular breathing
• Harder to wake
• Important for physical restoration

Week-by-Week Changes

Weeks 1-2:

• Sleep 16-18 hours per day
• Wake every 2-3 hours to feed
• No day/night distinction
• Longest sleep stretch: 2-4 hours

Weeks 3-4:

• Still sleeping 14-17 hours
• May have slightly longer stretches (3-4 hours)
• Beginning to have more alert periods
• Still no reliable pattern

Weeks 5-8:

• Total sleep may decrease slightly (14-16 hours)
• Longer awake periods developing
• May start to distinguish day from night
• Some babies begin longer night stretches

Weeks 9-12:

• Sleep consolidating more at night
• Naps becoming more defined
• May sleep 4-6 hour stretch at night
• Still highly variable between babies

Important: These are averages. Your baby may be different and still be completely normal.

What's Normal (and What's Not)

Normal newborn sleep behaviors:

• Waking every 2-4 hours to eat
• More alert in late afternoon/evening
• Sleeping in short bursts
• Being hard to put down
• Making noise during sleep
• Irregular patterns

When to call your pediatrician:

• Sleeping much more than normal suddenly
• Very difficult to wake for feeds
• Not waking to eat for 5+ hours (in first weeks)
• Seems unusually lethargic
• Significant change from baby's normal pattern

Supporting Healthy Sleep

What you can do:

• Respond to feeding cues
• Create distinction between day and night
• Watch for sleep cues
• Don't try to keep baby awake too long
• Follow safe sleep guidelines
• Accept that nights will be interrupted

Day/night distinction:

• Daytime: bright, active, normal noise levels
• Nighttime: dim lights, quiet, minimal stimulation
• Keep night feeds calm and boring
• Gradually baby will learn the difference

Watch for overtiredness:

• Newborns can only stay awake 45-90 minutes
• Overtired babies have harder time falling asleep
• Put down at first sleep cues
• "Sleep begets sleep" at this age

Safe Sleep Guidelines AAP

Always:

• Place baby on back to sleep
• Use firm, flat sleep surface
• Keep sleep area clear (no blankets, pillows, toys)
• Room sharing (not bed sharing) recommended
• Avoid overheating

Reduce SIDS risk:

• Back sleeping is safest position
• Breastfeeding is protective
• Pacifier use after breastfeeding established
• No smoking around baby
• Keep well-baby visits current AAP

Common Concerns

"My baby only sleeps when held"

• Very common in newborns
• They spent 9 months in constant contact
• Safe sleep means putting down, but this is hard
• Try warming sleep surface, swaddling
• It's a phase—it will pass

"My baby sleeps all day and is awake all night"

• Day/night confusion is normal initially
• Expose to daylight during day
• Keep nights dark and boring
• Will gradually reverse over weeks

"My baby won't sleep in the bassinet"

• Very common
• Try swaddling, white noise, warming surface
• Put down drowsy but awake sometimes
• It takes time and patience

"My newborn is only sleeping 12 hours total"

• Some babies naturally need less sleep
• If feeding well, gaining weight, seems content—likely fine
• Discuss with pediatrician if concerned

What Other Parents Ask

Q: When will my newborn sleep through the night?
A: "Sleeping through the night" (5-6 hour stretch) may happen anywhere from 3-6 months, sometimes later. Many babies don't achieve this until after 6 months. It's biologically normal for babies to wake at night well into the first year. AAP

Q: Should I wake my newborn to feed?
A: In the first few weeks, yes—wake every 3-4 hours during the day and don't let baby go more than 4-5 hours at night. Once weight gain is established (usually by 2 weeks), you can follow baby's cues more. Ask your pediatrician for specific guidance. AAP

Q: Is it normal for my newborn to grunt and make noises while sleeping?
A: Yes! Newborns are noisy sleepers. They grunt, squeak, sigh, and wiggle, especially during active (REM) sleep. This doesn't mean they're awake or need intervention.

Q: Can you spoil a newborn by holding them too much?
A: No. You cannot spoil a newborn. They have genuine needs for comfort and contact. Responding to your baby builds security. However, for sleep safety, practice putting them down for sleep on a safe surface.

Q: My baby sleeps best in the car seat/swing. Is this okay?
A: Car seats and swings are not safe sleep surfaces. Baby can move into position that restricts breathing. Transfer to firm, flat surface for sleep. Car seats are for travel, not routine sleep. AAP

The Bottom Line

Newborn sleep is unpredictable because babies aren't born with adult sleep patterns. Expect frequent waking, variable schedules, and gradual improvement over weeks to months. Follow safe sleep guidelines, respond to your baby's needs, and know that this phase is temporary. AAP

Key points:

• 14-17 hours of sleep, but in short bursts
• Frequent waking is biologically normal
• No day/night distinction initially
• Patterns develop gradually
• Follow safe sleep guidelines
• This phase is temporary

Clara is here to help you through the sleepless nights.