Newborns need 14–17 hours of sleep per 24 hours, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Sleep Foundation. This sleep is spread across the day and night in 2–4 hour stretches — newborns do not yet have a day/night cycle and cannot "sleep through the night."
How Many Hours Should a Newborn Sleep? (By Age)
Sleep needs shift considerably across the first year. The following ranges are based on AAP and National Sleep Foundation guidelines:
| Age | Recommended daily sleep | Typical stretch length |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 weeks | 14–17 hours | 1–3 hours |
| 1–2 months | 14–17 hours | 2–4 hours |
| 2–3 months | 13–16 hours | 3–5 hours |
| 3–6 months | 12–16 hours | 4–6 hours |
| 6–9 months | 12–15 hours | 6–9 hours overnight |
| 9–12 months | 12–14 hours | 8–10 hours overnight |
These figures represent total sleep across a 24-hour period — including all naps. Individual babies vary, and some healthy newborns sleep as few as 11 hours or as many as 19 hours without any cause for concern, provided they are feeding well and gaining weight appropriately.
Why Newborns Don't Sleep Through the Night
Newborns are biologically designed to wake frequently. There are two primary reasons:
Stomach size. A newborn's stomach holds only about 5–7 ml at birth. By two weeks it has grown to roughly 45–60 ml — still small enough that feeds every 2–3 hours are necessary around the clock. The NHS notes that breastfed babies may feed even more frequently because breast milk is digested faster than formula.
No circadian rhythm. The circadian clock — the internal system that distinguishes day from night — is not active at birth. It develops between approximately 6 and 12 weeks of life, driven by exposure to light, darkness, and feeding patterns. Until that clock is running, a newborn has no built-in preference for sleeping at night.
The AAP specifically advises against any sleep training or night-feeding restriction before 4–6 months. Waking to feed in the first months is normal, expected, and important for growth.
Normal Sleep Patterns: What to Expect Week by Week
0–4 Weeks
Most newborns sleep in cycles of 2–4 hours, then wake to feed. They spend roughly equal time sleeping at night and during the day. Total sleep per 24 hours is typically 14–17 hours, but it rarely feels restful for parents because it is so fragmented. Newborns also spend a high proportion — up to 50% — of sleep in active (REM-equivalent) sleep, which means they twitch, make sounds, and startle easily. This is completely normal.
4–8 Weeks
Around 6 weeks, some babies begin to consolidate one slightly longer stretch at night — often 3–5 hours. This is when the circadian rhythm starts to emerge. The NHS recommends helping this process by keeping the environment bright and stimulating during daytime feeds, and quiet and dark at night. Total sleep needs remain at 14–17 hours.
8–12 Weeks
By 3 months, many babies have one stretch of 5–6 hours at night, with 3–4 naps during the day. Total sleep typically dips slightly to 13–16 hours as wake windows lengthen. This is still far from "sleeping through the night" by adult standards, but it is a meaningful change. Some babies, however, continue waking every 2–3 hours at this age — which is also within the normal range.
How to Support Healthy Newborn Sleep (AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines)
The AAP's 2022 safe sleep guidelines are the evidence-based standard for newborn sleep environments:
- Back to sleep, every time. Place baby on their back for every sleep — naps and nighttime. Side and stomach sleeping significantly increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Firm, flat surface. Use a firm, flat sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet with a fitted sheet. No soft mattresses, padded liners, or inclined surfaces.
- No soft objects in the sleep space. Pillows, loose blankets, stuffed animals, and bumpers are all excluded from the sleep area.
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing. The AAP recommends the baby sleeps in the parents' room — in their own separate sleep space — for at least the first 6 months, ideally the first year. Bed-sharing increases the risk of sleep-related infant death.
- Temperature. Keep the room between 16°C and 20°C (60–68°F). Overheating is a known SIDS risk factor.
- Pacifier. Offering a pacifier at sleep time is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS, according to the AAP.
When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?
"Sleeping through the night" is commonly defined as a 5–6 hour uninterrupted stretch. Most babies achieve this somewhere between 3 and 6 months, though many continue waking through the first year.
The WHO and AAP both caution against using formal sleep training methods before 4–6 months. Before that point, night waking is a developmental norm, not a problem to be solved. After 6 months, if sleep consolidation is a priority, approaches such as graduated extinction or the Ferber method have solid evidence behind them — but they are optional, not required.
How to Tell if Your Newborn Is Getting Enough Sleep
Signs that a newborn is getting adequate sleep:
- Feeding regularly and gaining weight as expected
- Alert and engaged during wake windows, not excessively fussy
- Settles to sleep relatively easily after feeds
Signs that may warrant a call to your pediatrician:
- Sleeping consistently more than 18–19 hours and very difficult to rouse for feeds
- Sleeping fewer than 10–11 hours total with extreme fussiness
- Any jaundice, poor feeding, or abnormal breathing during sleep
Sleep By Age Reference Table (0–12 Months)
| Age | Night sleep | Day sleep (naps) | Total daily sleep | Number of naps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 month | 8–9 hours | 6–8 hours | 14–17 hours | 4–6 |
| 1–3 months | 8–10 hours | 5–7 hours | 14–16 hours | 3–5 |
| 3–6 months | 9–11 hours | 3–5 hours | 12–16 hours | 3–4 |
| 6–9 months | 10–12 hours | 2–4 hours | 12–15 hours | 2–3 |
| 9–12 months | 11–12 hours | 2–3 hours | 12–14 hours | 2 |
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Contact your baby's doctor if:
- Baby is consistently sleeping more than 19 hours per day and is hard to wake
- Baby has gone more than 4–5 hours without feeding in the first 2–4 weeks
- Baby stops breathing, changes colour, or makes unusual sounds during sleep
- Baby seems lethargic or unresponsive during wake periods
- You suspect jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
- You are concerned about weight gain
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a newborn sleep in 24 hours?
The AAP and National Sleep Foundation recommend 14–17 hours of total sleep per 24 hours for newborns (0–3 months). This includes all naps and nighttime sleep combined. Some healthy newborns sleep slightly more or less without any cause for concern.
Is it normal for a newborn to sleep all day?
Yes — newborns sleep roughly equally across day and night because they have no circadian rhythm yet. Sleeping a lot during the day is normal, but if your baby is sleeping more than 18–19 hours and is very difficult to wake for feeds, contact your pediatrician to rule out issues such as jaundice.
How long can a newborn sleep at night without feeding?
In the first 4–6 weeks, the AAP recommends waking a newborn who has not fed in 3–4 hours, particularly if they are below birth weight or have feeding difficulties. After 6 weeks, once weight gain is established, most pediatricians allow newborns to sleep until they wake themselves for feeds.
Why does my newborn only sleep when held?
Newborns have spent nine months in a warm, contained environment — being held closely replicates those conditions. Holding also provides warmth, motion, and the sound of your heartbeat. This is a normal phase. The NHS advises gradually transitioning to a crib once baby is in a drowsy-but-awake state, rather than waiting for full sleep.
Should I wake my newborn to feed at night?
In the first 2–4 weeks, yes — the AAP recommends waking a newborn if they have not fed in 3–4 hours. After the first month, once birth weight has been regained and weight gain is on track, most doctors allow babies to sleep until they wake on their own.
When do newborns start sleeping longer at night?
Most newborns begin producing longer overnight stretches — 3–5 hours — around 6–8 weeks, as their circadian rhythm starts to develop. A stretch of 5–6 hours is common between 3 and 6 months. There is significant individual variation; some babies sleep longer earlier, others later.
Is it safe for a newborn to sleep on their stomach?
No. The AAP's 2022 guidelines are clear: babies should always be placed on their back to sleep, for every sleep, until they can roll both ways independently. Stomach sleeping is associated with a significantly increased risk of SIDS.
What room temperature is safe for a newborn to sleep?
The NHS and AAP both recommend a room temperature of 16–20°C (60–68°F) for newborn sleep. Overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS. Dress the baby in one layer more than you would wear, and avoid covering their head indoors.
How many naps should a newborn have per day?
Newborns typically take 4–6 naps per day in the first month, gradually consolidating to 3–4 naps by 3 months. Nap length is variable — anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours is normal. Structured nap schedules are not realistic before 3–4 months.
Can white noise help a newborn sleep?
Yes — research supports the use of white noise for newborn sleep. It mimics the constant sounds of the womb (blood flow, maternal heartbeat) and can help block stimulating environmental noise. The AAP recommends keeping white noise machines below 50 dB and placing them at least 2 metres from the baby's sleep surface.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Safe Sleep Recommendations. 2022.
- National Sleep Foundation. How Much Sleep Do Babies Need?. 2023.
- NHS. Sleep and your baby. 2024.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Newborn care. 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safe Sleep for Babies. 2024.
🔧 Helpful Tools
- Baby Sleep Tracker — Log sleep windows and spot patterns for your baby's age
- Due Date Calculator — Calculate your due date and key pregnancy milestones