Newborn (0-8 Weeks) Sleep Schedule
Naps, wake windows, and bedtime
Total daily sleep
16-17 hours
No set bedtime yet; sleep is scattered throughout 24 hours
Bedtime
No consistent wake time yet
Wake time
Night sleep
8-9 hours (multiple wake-ups for feeding every 2-4 hours are normal)
Naps (4)
Nap 1Variable throughout day · 30 minutes to 2 hours
Nap 2Variable throughout day · 30 minutes to 2 hours
Nap 3Variable throughout day · 30 minutes to 2 hours
Nap 4Variable throughout day · 30 minutes to 2 hours
Wake windows
45 minutes to 1.5 hours (very short; newborns tire quickly)
Tips for this age
- •Follow baby's hunger cues rather than strict schedule; feed on demand
- •Watch for tired signs (yawning, rubbing eyes, fussiness) and put down immediately
- •Distinguish between day and night by keeping daytime bright and nighttime dark and quiet
- •Ensure safe sleep: back sleeping, firm surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least 6 months
Common challenges
- •Day/night confusion—newborns often sleep more during day and are awake at night
- •Very short and unpredictable naps due to immature sleep cycles
- •Difficulty settling from overstimulation or overtiredness
What changes next
Around 8-12 weeks, babies begin circadian rhythm development and can start moving toward more predictable sleep patterns. By 3-4 months, consolidated naps and earlier bedtimes typically emerge.
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