Newborns sleep 14–17 hours daily in short intervals. Understanding patterns helps parents nurture infant development safely.
As a neonatologist, one of the questions I hear most often from new parents is: “How many hours should my newborn be sleeping?” It is a natural concern, especially for mothers and fathers who are running on little rest themselves while trying to make sense of their baby’s unpredictable patterns.
The truth is, sleep in the first few months of life does not follow the neat routine that many parents hope for. Newborns generally need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, but this rest is spread across shorter stretches of two to four hours at a time, both day and night. This is because newborns have small stomachs and must wake frequently to feed. It is not a sign that something is wrong. It is simply how their bodies ensure they are getting enough nutrition to grow.
When I look at a peacefully sleeping newborn in the neonatal unit, I see more than rest. I see growth, healing, and development in progress. Nearly half of a baby’s sleep is spent in REM sleep, a stage critical for brain development. Growth hormone, which fuels bone and muscle development, is also released during sleep. At the same time, rest helps strengthen immunity and supports emotional regulation. In short, sleep is not a luxury for newborns but a biological necessity.
Despite this, I frequently hear myths from parents. One common belief is that keeping a baby awake during the day will help them sleep longer at night. In fact, the opposite is true; overtired babies often struggle more to settle. Another is that babies should be sleeping through the night from the early weeks, which is not realistic for most infants until around six months. Some parents also worry about waking their baby, but for premature or low-birth-weight babies, scheduled feeding is essential, even if it means gently waking them every 2–3 hours.
There are steps parents can take to support healthier sleep. Always prioritise safety by placing your baby on their back, on a firm mattress without pillows or toys. Learn to recognise signs of tiredness, such as yawning, staring, or fussiness, and try to put your baby down before they become overtired. Differentiate day from night by keeping naps bright and interactive, while keeping night-time feeds calm and quiet. Gentle routines, like dimming lights or playing soft music, can also help signal bedtime.
Of course, every baby is unique. I encourage parents to seek medical advice if their baby is unusually difficult to wake, shows noisy or laboured breathing during sleep, or fails to gain weight despite regular feeding. These may point to underlying medical issues that need attention.
Above all, I reassure parents that irregular sleep in the first months is not only normal, it is expected. The short naps and frequent waking are signs of a baby adapting to life outside the womb. By three to four months, most babies begin consolidating sleep into longer stretches. Until then, your role as a parent is not to enforce strict schedules, but to create a safe, nurturing environment where your baby can thrive.
This health piece is contributed by Dr. Marija Lukavac. Dr. Marija is a Specialist Neonatologist at Medcare Women & Children Hospital.
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