Newborns sleep a lot, in short pieces
Most newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours across a whole day, but only 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time. The long stretches come later, usually not before about 3 months.
Sleep in the early weeks
The short version
- Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, in short pieces.
- Always on their back, on a firm flat surface, with nothing else in the space.
- Couches, armchairs, and adult beds are not safe for baby's sleep.
If you are awake again at 3 a.m., this is just what these early nights look like. Newborns wake often because their tummies are small and they grow fast. Waking through the night is just what babies this age do.
What to know
Always place baby on their back
For every nap and every night, lay baby down on their back on a firm, flat surface. Back sleeping is the single biggest thing that lowers the risk of sleep-related death.
A bare space is a safe space
Crib, bassinet, or play yard with a fitted sheet and nothing else. No pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed toys. If baby is cold, a wearable blanket or one extra layer is safer than a loose blanket.
From the experts
These go straight to the source.When to call someone
Babies should always sleep alone, on their back, in a bare crib or bassinet. Couches, armchairs, and adult beds are not safe for sleep. Call your pediatrician if baby is hard to wake, will not feed, or seems unusually drowsy.
Help near you
All help near you →If the nights have you worn thin, it may be worth a look at how you are doing, not just the baby. Or step away from the screen and rest while you can.