Newborn babies have unique sleep patterns and typically need a lot of sleep, typically around 16-17 hours per day. Newborns sleep in shorter segments, usually lasting 1-3 hours at a time, and their sleep is characterized by periods of deep sleep and light sleep, as well as periods of being awake.
It is important to note that every baby is different and their sleep schedule may vary. However, a typical newborn sleep schedule may look like:
- During the first few days of life, newborns may sleep for most of the day and night, with only short wakeful periods.
- As the baby grows, they will begin to have more distinct periods of wakefulness and sleep.
- At around 2-3 weeks old, most newborns will begin to have a more predictable sleep schedule, with longer stretches of sleep at night, and shorter naps during the day.
- By 4-6 weeks old, most babies will have a more consolidated sleep schedule, with longer stretches of sleep at night and shorter naps during the day.
It is important to be aware that a newborn's sleep schedule can be affected by a variety of factors such as hunger, diaper change, temperature, and overstimulation, so it is important to be flexible and responsive to the baby's needs.
It is also important to note that it is not recommended to let a newborn sleep more than 4 hours at a time without being fed as the baby needs to be fed every 2-3 hours.
Here's another blog on what you should expect regarding your babies sleep schedule for the first year.
