Does my newborn need a sleep schedule?

When new parents ask Valerie Mikeal, Occupational Therapist at Children's Health℠, about their newborn’s sleep schedule, she tells them: Newborns don’t really have a sleep schedule.

“The schedule is that there is no schedule,” she says. “In that newborn period of birth to about 3 months, sleep is very unpredictable, babies are really just going to the beat of their own drum.”

Mikeal shares what parents can expect during those early months, how feeding influences sleep and ways to help children build healthy sleep habits over time.

What is a normal newborn sleep schedule?

Newborns sleep in short bursts and wake up to eat. They may sleep equal amounts during the day and night, or they might sleep more during the day or the night.

“Newborn sleep schedules can follow a general pattern but try not to worry if your baby falls outside that range,” Mikeal says. “These recommendations are ballpark estimates, so there's no need to track sleep down to the minute or feel like you're failing if your child's sleep looks a little different.”

Newborn sleep schedule (0-4 weeks)

Newborns who are 4 weeks old and under typically sleep for 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period. They sleep for short spurts that could range from 30 minutes to about 3 hours.

Newborn sleep schedule (1-2 months)

Around 4-6 weeks old, babies may start to learn the difference between night and day and might stay awake for longer stretches during the day. Most babies still wake up every 2-4 hours to eat.

Newborn sleep schedule (2-3 months)

By 3 months old, babies may take 4-5 naps during the day and begin to sleep for a longer stretch at night. Naps may range from 30 minutes to 3 hours during the day.

When do babies start sleeping through the night?

Babies can start sleeping through the night (6-8 hours straight) at around 3 months old. But this doesn’t happen for many babies until they’re closer to 4-6 months old or older.

Newborn sleeping and feeding schedule

In the first weeks, your baby will eat and sleep around the clock. For newborns, feeding and sleep go hand in hand. They wake up often because they are hungry and their stomachs are tiny; they can only hold a little bit at a time. In general:

• Most newborns feed every few hours.

• They may feed more often during growth spurts.

• They may also do “cluster feedings,” which means several short feedings close together (say once per 30-60 minutes instead of once every few hours). This is normal in the first week of life, and many older babies cluster feed in the evenings.

Tips for helping your baby build healthy sleep habits

Sleep training doesn’t work for newborns because their brains aren’t developed enough to follow a routine. But certain actions can help them fall asleep and lay the foundation for healthy sleep habits as they get older. Families can try:

• Looking for sleep cues. Your baby might yawn, stare blankly or start to close their eyes. Putting your baby down to sleep when they give those cues can help them from getting too tired – which can actually make it more difficult to fall asleep.

• Doing the same thing every time you put them down for a nap. This might mean singing a soft song, swaddling them tightly and going to the room where they sleep. This can help babies get a sense that when this sequence of events happens, it's time to sleep.

• Putting them down gently and slowly. Sometimes putting a baby into their crib too quickly can make them feel like they’re falling, trigger a startle reflex and wake them up.

• Keeping their sleeping space quiet and cool. Babies sleep better when it's not too hot and they’re in a quiet place.

• Doing more activities when it's light out. Stroller walks, tummy time and exposure to natural daylight can help babies learn that daytime is for being awake and active. At night, keeping the environment calm and quiet can encourage longer stretches of sleep.

Tips for getting sleep as a parent or caregiver of a newborn

Life with a newborn often means less sleep for everyone. Creating a plan for how you and your partner or support person will share nighttime responsibilities can help everyone get a little more rest. You might try:

• Sleeping in shifts. This way, each caregiver can get at least a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

• Pumping or breastfeeding at the end of your shift, if possible.

• Using an app like Huckleberry can help parents and caregivers keep track of baby’s sleep, feedings and diaper changes. This can make shift changes easier and help eliminate the guesswork for tired caregivers.

When to talk to your pediatrician about sleep

If your baby has any of the following symptoms, talk to your pediatrician to see if they might be related to a health issue:

• Your baby seems like they’re not fully waking up. They may be lethargic, drowsy or not showing hunger cues like rooting or sucking when they wake up.

• Crying so much that they can’t fall asleep. Babies often cry when they’re falling asleep, but if they’re crying is shrill or scream-like (rather than more rhythmic) or if they’re arching their body or grimacing when they cry, that may be a sign that they’re uncomfortable. Sometimes babies do this when they have a food allergy or intolerance.

• They’re losing weight or not gaining weight.

Find care for your newborn

From sleep and feeding to developmental milestones, there’s a lot to learn during your baby's first year. Children's Health offers trusted resources to help parents navigate every stage.

Learn more

Children's Health also provides expert, compassionate primary care for children from birth through young adulthood at 19 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including virtual care options. Learn more about our pediatric primary care services and find a pediatrician near you.