Newborn Sleep Schedule

What Is a Newborn Sleep Schedule?

For around the first 2 months of life, infants do not follow a sleep schedule linked to the time of day Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Instead, newborns take naps spaced throughout a 24-hour period, with each nap lasting between one and four hours. Between naps, infants wake up to feed. How often they wake up to feed is affected by whether they are breastfed or formula-fed Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . Breastfed babies may need to feed around every two hours, while formula-fed babies may go closer to three hours between feedings.

Experts do not give strict recommendations for sleep schedules in newborns between 0 and 4 months old Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source , because baby sleep habits vary widely at this age.

Developing the Sleep-Wake Cycle

Wake and sleep times in humans generally follow a circadian rhythm, which are natural patterns that occur nearly every 24 hours Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Circadian rhythms are controlled by a biological clock in the brain Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source that syncs these daily cycles to a person’s external environment.

Babies are born without a strong circadian rhythm. Daily cycles develop over time, as exposure to light and dark in their environment helps newborns develop a sleep-wake cycle that coordinates with periods of day and night. 

Two hormones that affect when newborns sleep and when they wake up are melatonin and cortisol. As infants reach 8 to 9 weeks old, the release of these hormones begins to follow a circadian rhythm. This is the period when an infant’s sleep may start to become more predictable. 

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When Should You Get Your Baby on a Sleep Schedule? 

Once a baby’s sleep starts to fall into a somewhat predictable pattern, caregivers may try to consolidate that sleep into larger chunks. Realistically, most babies still need to take several daily naps until their first birthday Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . However, by gently nudging the rest of their sleep time to the nighttime hours, the hope is that babies can work toward a more mature sleep schedule and adults can get some much-needed rest.

A newborn’s sleep starts to consolidate around 2 months old, and many babies start sleeping through the night between the ages of 4 and 6 months Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source . Experts recommend waiting until a baby is at least 4 to 6 months old Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source before attempting sleep training to further encourage a consolidated nighttime sleep schedule. 

Signs a Newborn Is Ready to Sleep

It is helpful to put newborns to bed when they are tired but have not yet fallen asleep. Learning a newborn’s tiredness cues can help caregivers predict when a nap is needed. A newborn may signal that they are sleepy by:

• Crying
• Fussing
• Rubbing their eyes
• Staring off into space

Helping a Newborn Sleep 

Parents and caregivers often want to do everything they can to help their newborn sleep. To help newborns get the rest they need, experts suggest adopting soothing and consistent daily habits.

• Establish a bedtime routine: A relaxing and predictable bedtime routine, including activities like cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding, helps set the stage for healthy sleep habits later in life.
• Watch for sleepiness cues: When a baby starts showing signs of sleepiness, such as fussing or rubbing their eyes, this is a good moment to lay them in their crib or bassinet. Experts recommend putting infants down before they actually fall asleep, to help them become more comfortable going to sleep on their own Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . 
• Provide a comfortable environment: To help the development of a newborn’s circadian rhythm, make sure they get plenty of light and sound during the day, and keep their bedroom dark and quiet in the evening.
• Practice safe sleep habits: To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), always place a newborn to sleep on their back, and try to have them sleep alone in their crib rather than co-sleeping. Additionally, cribs should be free from blankets, bumpers, toys, or other soft bedding Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source .
• Keep feedings low-key: During nighttime feedings, use dim lighting and keep the interaction short and calm. Avoid letting a child sleep with a bottle or breast in their mouth. 
• Incorporate tummy time: Allowing a newborn to spend a few minutes on their stomach Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source while they are awake helps with the development of neck and shoulder muscles as well as motor skills. Research also suggests that regular, supervised tummy time during the day might be linked to longer nighttime sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source as a baby grows.

Caregivers should also keep in mind that erratic sleep schedules are normal in newborns Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source since they do not have an established sleep-wake cycle. At this age, the best way to encourage a healthy newborn sleep schedule is to learn to respond to a baby’s cues and adjust accordingly. Eventually, babies settle into a more defined rhythm, which can be further encouraged by adopting healthy sleep habits in the home.

Parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns about their newborn’s sleep habits should talk to a pediatrician. Pediatricians can provide reassurance, support, and evaluate newborns for any underlying health issues.