Newborn Sleep Schedule: A Guide for New Parents

Bringing your newborn home is an exciting yet challenging time, filled with new experiences and adjustments. One of the biggest hurdles for new parents is understanding their baby’s sleep patterns. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. The first few weeks with your newborn are demanding enough, and there’s no need to stress about creating a rigid schedule straight away.

Prioritising Maternal Health Over a Strict Routine

During the first few weeks after leaving the hospital, the best thing you can do is focus on maternal health. Simplify your routine and concentrate on the essentials: eating, sleeping, and staying hydrated. Trying to stick to a strict schedule too early can add unnecessary pressure, which isn't helpful for either you or your baby.

While it’s great to be aware of your newborn's sleep needs, don’t feel the need to follow a perfect plan. Newborn sleep is unpredictable, and your primary focus should be on bonding with your baby and recovering from birth.

Sleep Needs: How Much Should Your Newborn Sleep?

In the early days, newborns typically sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, spread out in short bursts across the day and night. This fragmented sleep schedule is completely normal, and it might feel like your baby is always asleep or waking up at random times.

What can I expect in the first few weeks with my newborn?

Expect an irregular sleep pattern as your baby adjusts to life outside the womb. Their body clock isn’t fully developed, and they won’t yet understand the difference between day and night. This means short naps throughout the day and frequent wake-ups at night, often for feeding or nappy changes.

Why do newborns sleep so much?

Newborns sleep a lot because their bodies and brains are growing rapidly. Sleep is essential for development, as this is when their brain processes all the new stimuli from their environment. While it might feel like all they do is sleep and feed, rest assured that these long naps are critical for their overall growth and well-being.

Awake Times: Engage & Stimulate

Between these naps, your baby will have brief awake periods, lasting between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. During these windows, engage in gentle activities like feeding, playing, and cuddling. This keeps your baby stimulated, helps them develop their senses, and will make them more likely to sleep better during their next nap.

Establishing a Gentle Feeding Routine

If you’re ready to introduce some routine, a simple 4-hour feeding schedule can help structure your day without feeling overwhelming. This might look something like this:

• 6 pm
• 10 pm
• 2 am
• 6 am
• 10 am
• 2 pm

This rhythm isn’t set in stone, and your baby’s needs will vary. Remember to respond to hunger cues and adjust the routine as needed. However, having this flexible framework can help create some predictability in your day while ensuring your baby gets the nourishment they need.

A Simple Approach for the Early Weeks

During those first few weeks, it’s important to keep things simple. Rather than focusing on rigid sleep schedules, allow your baby to lead the way while gently guiding them toward a routine. Your primary goal is to ensure both you and your baby are resting, recovering, and bonding. Parenthood is an evolving journey, and while a routine will eventually emerge, it’s perfectly fine to take things one day at a time.

If you're struggling, or have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.