Newborn Sleep Schedule
Medically reviewed by Safi Ullah Khan
Same age: Feeding
Medically reviewed by Safi Ullah Khan · Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 21 October 2026
Quick answer: A newborn sleep schedule isn't a schedule yet: newborns sleep about 14-17 hours a day in 1-3 hour stretches around the clock, waking to feed 8-12 times. Wake windows are short, about 35-60 minutes. Focus on safe sleep (back, flat, alone) and on day-night cues rather than a clock.
TL;DR
- Total sleep: 14-17 hours (NSF range; the AAP sets no target under 4 months).
- Naps: 4-8 irregular sleeps; wake windows 35-60 minutes.
- Back to sleep, alone, on a firm flat surface, every time.
Use this newborn sleep schedule as a starting point, not a rulebook. Sleep needs vary a lot between babies; the ranges below come from AAP-endorsed sleep guidance where it exists, and from common practice for naps and wake windows, which have no official standard.
How much should a newborn sleep?
| Typical range | |
|---|---|
| Total sleep in 24 hours | 14-17 hours (NSF range; the AAP sets no target under 4 months) |
| Naps | 4-8 irregular sleeps |
| Wake windows | 35-60 minutes |
| Night sleep | 1-3 hour stretches, waking to feed 2-4 times or more |
| Bedtime | no fixed bedtime yet |
Wake windows are the awake time between sleeps. Try the wake window calculator to plan the next nap from the time your baby woke up.
Sample newborn sleep schedule
An example day. Your baby's times will differ; watch for sleepy cues like yawning, rubbing eyes and looking away.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake, feed, diaper |
| 7:45 am | Nap |
| 9:30 am | Feed, short awake time |
| 10:15 am | Nap |
| 12:30 pm | Feed |
| 1:15 pm | Nap |
| 3:30 pm | Feed |
| 4:15 pm | Nap |
| 6:00-10:00 pm | Cluster feeds and catnaps |
| Night | Wake to feed every 2-4 hours |
What changes at this age
Newborns don't produce much melatonin yet and can't tell day from night. Keep days bright with normal noise and nights dark and quiet, as the NHS suggests. Expect sleep to happen on you, in the car and after feeds; when you can, transfer your baby to a firm, flat bassinet or crib on their back.
Safe sleep at this age
The AAP's safe sleep advice applies for every nap and night: back to sleep, a firm flat surface, nothing else in the crib, and room-sharing without bed-sharing, ideally for at least the first 6 months. Read the safe sleep basics for details. Tot helps you log sleep; it is not a baby monitor and does not track breathing or movement.
How to track sleep in Tot
Log naps and night sleep with a start and end time in Tot and you'll see daily totals and sleep trends by day and week. Seeing a week of data makes it easier to spot a nap that's too late or a shrinking wake window, and to share real numbers with your pediatrician.
When to talk to your pediatrician
- Loud snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep
- Your baby is very hard to wake or unusually floppy
- Sleep suddenly changes along with fever, poor feeding or fewer wet diapers
- You are exhausted and struggling; ask for help, it's common and support exists
Related: baby sleep schedule by age · 1-month-old sleep schedule · newborn feeding chart · nap schedule calculator · baby sleep tracker · day-night confusion
Download Tot free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.
Sources
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Healthy Sleep Habits, How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?: www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Getting Your Baby to Sleep: www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe (AAP policy explained): www.healthychildren.org (accessed 21 October 2026)
- NHS: Helping your baby to sleep: www.nhs.uk (accessed 21 October 2026)
- NICHD Safe to Sleep: Ways to reduce the risk of SIDS: safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov (accessed 21 October 2026)
Medical disclaimer:
Tot and this website give general information only. Feeding, sleep and growth ranges vary; always follow your pediatrician's advice. If your baby is unwell, contact your doctor or emergency services.
FAQ
How many naps does a newborn take?
Usually 4-8 irregular sleeps, with wake windows of about 35-60 minutes.
What time should a newborn go to bed?
Typically no fixed bedtime yet. The best bedtime is the one that fits your baby's wake windows and your family's day.
How long should a newborn sleep at night?
1-3 hour stretches, waking to feed 2-4 times or more.
Is it normal if my baby's schedule doesn't match?
Yes. These are averages. A baby who is growing well and is mostly content when awake is usually getting enough sleep.
Can an app tell me when my baby will be tired?
An app can't read your baby, but logging sleep in Tot shows patterns over days, which helps you predict the next nap.
Related guides
Track this in Tot
Tot is a free baby tracker app for iPhone and Android that logs breastfeeding, bottle feeds, sleep, diapers, growth, vaccines and medicine, and lets parents share the log with a partner or caretaker.
