While a newborn’s total sleep is impressive, logging an average of 14 - 17 hours in 24 hours, it’s sporadic in the first few months. You’re not failing, and your baby isn’t “bad” if they wake many times through the night. Newborns have tiny tummies requiring frequent feeds, shorter sleep cycles (only about 40 minutes long), day-night confusion, and an underdeveloped circadian rhythm.
The good news: you can do things to maximize sleep, and you may start to notice 4-6 hour stretches of sleep by about three months of age.
The hard part: these longer stretches commonly ebb and flow as your baby goes through developmental leaps, teething, and illness.
Here’s what sleep educators want you to know:
Newborns need to be fed around the clock.
You can’t spoil your newborn by responding to their need for comfort.
Newborns need time to sort day from night; you can help by emphasizing distinct daytime and nighttime routines.
Newborns sleep heavily during the day. You can hold off on a schedule until more apparent wake-sleep patterns emerge between 3-4 months.
You can focus on promoting healthy sleep hygiene by keeping their sleep space dark and cool as well as trying white noise.
It’s advised to room-share for at least the first six months.
Their sleep is ever-changing, and adaptability is the name of the game.
Here’s what’s typical for months 0-3:
Newborns tend to:
Sleep a total of 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period
Take 3 to 5 naps totaling 7-9 hours of sleep
Catch 8-9 hours of sleep overnight, but with wakings to feed every 2-3 hours