Sleep schedule
Newborn (0-4 weeks) Sleep Schedule
Wake windows, nap times, and a realistic daily routine.
Quick reference
24-hour visual timeline
Sample newborn (0-4 weeks) schedule
- 7:00 AM Wake + feed Expose to daylight
- 7:45 AM Nap Length varies
- 10:00 AM Wake + feed
- 10:45 AM Nap
- 1:00 PM Wake + feed
- 1:45 PM Nap
- 4:00 PM Wake + feed
- 4:45 PM Catnap
- 6:30 PM Wake + feed
- 8:00 PM Evening fussy period Common — not a sign of hunger alone
- 10:00 PM Feed + attempt longer sleep stretch
- 1:00 AM Night feed
- 4:00 AM Night feed
These are realistic anchor times — not rules. Use your baby's sleepy cues and adjust.
What's developmentally happening at newborn
Newborns do not have a circadian rhythm yet. Their sleep is distributed across the 24-hour day in short chunks of 2-4 hours, driven entirely by hunger and comfort. Day/night confusion is extremely common in the first 6-8 weeks because melatonin production is still developing. Most sleep happens in REM (active sleep), which is why you'll see twitching, grunting, and half-open eyes — this is normal and not a sign of waking.
Do not expect a schedule yet. Follow a flexible wake-eat-sleep loop and focus on safe sleep: firm flat surface, on the back, nothing in the crib. Frequent feeding (every 2-3 hours including overnight) is necessary for growth and milk supply. Exposing your baby to natural daylight during wake times and keeping nights dark and boring helps the circadian rhythm emerge around weeks 6-8.
Common sleep challenges at this age
- Day/night confusionKeep daytime bright and engaged, nights dark and quiet. This usually resolves on its own by 6-8 weeks.
- Short naps (30-45 minutes)Completely normal at this age. Newborn sleep cycles are shorter than adult cycles. Don't try to extend.
- Will only sleep on a caregiverExtremely common and developmentally normal. Contact sleep is fine during waking hours. For overnight sleep, follow safe sleep guidelines.
- Startling awake (Moro reflex)A swaddle can help — only until baby shows any signs of rolling, then stop immediately.
- Grunting, squeaking, irregular breathingPeriodic breathing is normal in newborns. Talk to your pediatrician if you see pauses longer than 20 seconds or color changes.
Recent and upcoming transitions
What just changed
This is the starting point — your baby has just left the womb.
What's coming next
Around 6-8 weeks, melatonin production begins and longer stretches of night sleep become possible. The first real bedtime (around 8-9pm) tends to emerge by 10-12 weeks.
When to talk to your pediatrician
Reach out if any of the following apply at newborn:
- Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day
- Jaundice that worsens or yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Unable to rouse for feeds, or extreme lethargy
- Breathing pauses longer than 20 seconds or turning blue
- Fever (rectal temp ≥100.4°F / 38°C) — call immediately
Trust your instincts. If something feels off with your baby's sleep, breathing, feeding, or development, call your pediatrician. This page is not a substitute for medical care.
Common questions about newborn sleep
How long should a newborn nap?
Newborn naps range from 30 minutes to 3+ hours and are unpredictable. Total daytime sleep is usually 7-9 hours spread across 4-6 naps. Don't wake a sleeping newborn unless your pediatrician has asked you to for feeding or weight gain reasons.
What time should a newborn go to bed?
There is no fixed bedtime for a newborn. Most newborns have a late 'bedtime' around 10-11pm simply because they don't yet produce enough melatonin to sleep earlier. A true 7-8pm bedtime usually emerges between 8 and 12 weeks.
How many naps does a newborn need?
Typically 4-6 naps per day, with a wake window of only 45-60 minutes between them. At this age, any attempt to count naps precisely is futile — follow feeding and sleepy cues instead.
Why is my newborn waking up every hour?
Short sleep stretches are biologically normal in the first weeks. Newborns cycle through active (REM) sleep frequently and need to feed every 2-3 hours. Longer stretches usually start appearing between 6-10 weeks.
Can I sleep train a newborn?
No. The AAP does not recommend any form of sleep training before 4-6 months of age. Newborns need to feed frequently and cannot self-regulate. Focus on safe sleep and responsive care.