Guides · Sleep schedule
Newborn Sleep Schedule by Week
A newborn (0–6 weeks) is not ready for a fixed schedule. Their circadian rhythm is still maturing, sleep comes in 2–4 hour fragments around the clock, and feeding on demand drives the rhythm. What you can use is a loose framework built on wake windows — how long your baby can comfortably stay awake before becoming overtired. This page gives you the numbers, a realistic daily rhythm, and a bedtime routine to start shaping sleep from the very first weeks.
Sleep schedule · data from paediatric sleep guidelinesWake windows, naps and total sleep
At this age your baby can comfortably stay awake for 45m–1h between sleeps (the "0–6 weeks" band). Most newborn babies take 4–5 naps a day and sleep 14–17 hours (across day and night). Use the wake window — not the clock — as your main signal for when the next sleep is due.
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Illustrative rhythm — every baby varies. Use wake windows rather than the clock to time sleep.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake, feed |
| 7:45–9:15 AM | Nap 1 (bassinet, light room) |
| 9:15 AM | Wake, feed |
| 10:00–11:30 AM | Nap 2 |
| 11:30 AM | Wake, feed |
| 12:15–1:45 PM | Nap 3 |
| 1:45 PM | Wake, feed |
| 2:30–4:00 PM | Nap 4 |
| 4:00 PM | Wake, feed |
| Evening | Cluster feeds + a short catnap every 45–60 min |
| Night | 8–9 hours in 2–4 hour stretches, 2–4 night feeds |
Bedtime routine
A predictable bedtime routine cues your baby that sleep is coming and makes settling easier. At this age, aim for a calm 20–30 minute wind-down in the same order every night. A simple sequence:
- Bath or wash — warm water lowers body temperature, a natural sleep signal.
- Feed — milk in a dim, quiet room; burp well before lying down.
- Book or song — two short books or one familiar lullaby.
- Swaddle or sleeping bag — a clear "sleep time" cue.
- Into the crib drowsy but awake — use a settling approach that is safe and workable for your family.
Lay your baby down using the settling approach that works for your family. Respond as needed. See our fuller bedtime routine guide for age-by-age variations.
Common sleep challenges at this age
- Day/night confusion. Newborns often mix up day and night. Expose your baby to bright daylight during the day and keep nights dark, quiet, and boring — this helps their body clock establish within a few weeks.
- Frequent waking. Newborn stomachs are tiny, so they wake to feed every 2–4 hours, including at night. This is normal and not a sleep problem. Wake windows of just 45–60 minutes mean sleep comes frequently.
- Overtiredness. Keeping a newborn awake longer than ~60 minutes releases cortisol and adrenaline, making them harder to settle. Watch for early tired signs — yawning, staring, jerky movements — and put them down before crying.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep train a newborn?
No. Newborns are too young for formal sleep training, which is not recommended before 4 months. What you can do is establish healthy habits: put your baby down drowsy but awake, distinguish day from night, and respect short wake windows to prevent overtiredness.
How long should a newborn be awake between naps?
Most newborns can stay awake for 45–60 minutes at a time, including feeding. By 6–10 weeks this stretches to 60–75 minutes. Going beyond the wake window is the most common cause of settling difficulty.
When does a newborn sleep schedule start to form?
A predictable day rhythm usually emerges around 6–8 weeks as circadian rhythm matures. By 3–4 months you can start shaping a more structured schedule. Before then, focus on wake windows and a consistent bedtime routine rather than the clock.
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This schedule is a general guide based on paediatric sleep consensus, not medical advice. Every baby is different. For persistent sleep problems, breathing pauses during sleep, or anything that worries you, talk to your pediatrician.