How Much Sleep Do Newborns Need?
Newborn babies usually sleep 14 to 17 hours in 24 hours, according to pediatric sleep experts.
Sleep is divided between day and night, but not in one long stretch.
Most newborns sleep about 8–9 hours during the day and around 8 hours at night.
Their sleep happens in short cycles, typically lasting 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time.
In the first few months, babies do not have a fixed sleep schedule.
Many newborns may sleep longer during the day and stay more awake at night.
This happens because they haven’t yet developed a circadian rhythm (the body clock that tells us day from night).
It usually takes a few months for babies to learn the difference between daytime and nighttime.
Newborns have very small stomachs, so they need to be fed every 2–3 hours.
Because of frequent feeding, long stretches of sleep are uncommon.
Most babies do not sleep 6–8 hours continuously before 3 months of age.
Many begin sleeping longer stretches after 4–6 months.
Babies grow rapidly during the first months of life.
Sleep supports brain development, memory formation, and learning.
Important growth processes and hormone release happen during sleep.
Adequate sleep helps strengthen the baby’s immune system.
If a baby seems unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, parents should consult a doctor, as fever, infection, or other issues may sometimes cause excessive sleep.
Like adults, babies have two main sleep stages: REM and non-REM.
Characterized by rapid eye movement.
Babies may twitch, smile, or move slightly.
Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in this stage.
Baby is calm and still.
Breathing becomes slower and more regular.
Harder to wake the baby during this stage.
Babies naturally cycle between these stages and may briefly wake before falling asleep again.
Sleep is divided between day and night, but not in one long stretch.
Most newborns sleep about 8–9 hours during the day and around 8 hours at night.
Their sleep happens in short cycles, typically lasting 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time.
Day vs. Night Sleep
In the first few months, babies do not have a fixed sleep schedule.
Many newborns may sleep longer during the day and stay more awake at night.
This happens because they haven’t yet developed a circadian rhythm (the body clock that tells us day from night).
It usually takes a few months for babies to learn the difference between daytime and nighttime.
Why Sleep Is Frequently Interrupted
Newborns have very small stomachs, so they need to be fed every 2–3 hours.
Because of frequent feeding, long stretches of sleep are uncommon.
Most babies do not sleep 6–8 hours continuously before 3 months of age.
Many begin sleeping longer stretches after 4–6 months.
Why Newborns Sleep So Much
Babies grow rapidly during the first months of life.
Sleep supports brain development, memory formation, and learning.
Important growth processes and hormone release happen during sleep.
Adequate sleep helps strengthen the baby’s immune system.
If a baby seems unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, parents should consult a doctor, as fever, infection, or other issues may sometimes cause excessive sleep.
Stages of Newborn Sleep
Like adults, babies have two main sleep stages: REM and non-REM.
REM Sleep (Light Sleep)
Characterized by rapid eye movement.
Babies may twitch, smile, or move slightly.
Newborns spend about half of their sleep time in this stage.
Non-REM Sleep (Deep Sleep)
Baby is calm and still.
Breathing becomes slower and more regular.
Harder to wake the baby during this stage.
Babies naturally cycle between these stages and may briefly wake before falling asleep again.