Newborn Sleep (0-3 months)

Newborn sleep (0–3 months) 

Newborn sleep is beautifully messy, highly variable from day to day and night to night, unpredictable, and all completely biologically normal. 

What to expect: 

Total sleep: 14–17 hours over a 24-hour period 

Wake durations (wake windows): 45–90 minutes 

Some newborns may occasionally, or regularly, stay awake for longer or shorter stretches than these averages. Some babies have wake durations and nap timings that are like clockwork, while others are highly variable from day to day. Both are normal. 

Naps: Notoriously short and unpredictable. Catnapping is normal and okay. Longer naps are also fine if they happen naturally. Remember, every baby is different. Some will follow a more regular sleep rhythm, while others won’t. 

Night waking: Frequent and protective (see below) 

Newborns have small stomachs, so they wake often to feed. This supports milk supply and healthy weight gain. They also wake to check that a caregiver is close by, which is a built-in safety mechanism. Night waking in newborns is also protective against SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy). 

Where should newborns sleep? 

Newborns prefer to sleep close to, or on, a caregiver. This is due to their sensory proximity awareness. Their brains are wired to check if their safe person is near. 

They may: 

• Wake when you move away 
• Sleep better on or near you 
• Struggle to sleep alone 

This is not a bad habit. It’s biology. You can support this need while gradually increasing options for flexibility as they grow. 

Safe sleep options include: 

• Contact naps 
• Baby carrier (following TICKS Guidelines) 
• Pram naps 
• A safe place on the floor 
• Bassinet or cot 
• Co-sleeper 
• Safe bedsharing setup (when done correctly) 

Sleep is sleep, regardless of how it is happening. If it is safe, and works for you, it’s the right choice. 

Day vs night sleep 

Newborns don’t know day from night. They’re not born with a circadian rhythm. This begins to mature around 2–3 months of age. 

Common parent experiences of newborn sleep: 

• Contact naps – baby sleeps longer on you than off you 
• Cat naps 
• Night waking every 2–4 hours 
• Late bedtime (8–11 pm, or later) 
• Stretches of baby being awake overnight, until their circadian rhythm kicks in 

Parent tips: 

• Expose your baby to natural daylight during the day 
• Keep overnight interactions calm, quiet, and dimly lit 
• Expect late bedtimes (8–11 pm) 
• Take shifts with a co-parent, trusted family member, or friend so the primary caregiver can get longer stretches of rest 

Example of a sleep shift: 

The primary caregiver feeds the baby at 9 pm, then goes to bed. The secondary caregiver supports the baby with whatever they need until midnight, when the baby needs another feed and is brought back to the primary caregiver. The secondary caregiver then goes to bed and sleeps until 7 am, when they take over care so the primary caregiver can get another chunk of uninterrupted sleep.