Newborn Sleep Schedule by Week: A Complete Guide for Exhausted Parents

If you're reading this at 3 AM while your newborn refuses to sleep, you're not alone. Understanding newborn sleep patterns can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.

Here's the truth: newborn sleep is unpredictable, but there are patterns. This guide breaks down what to expect week by week, so you know what's normal and when things might get easier.

Quick Facts About Newborn Sleep

Before we dive in, here are the numbers:

Age	Total Sleep (24 hrs)	Longest Stretch	Wake Windows
0-2 weeks	16-18 hours	2-3 hours	45-60 min
3-4 weeks	15-17 hours	3-4 hours	60-75 min
5-8 weeks	15-16 hours	4-5 hours	75-90 min
9-12 weeks	14-16 hours	5-6 hours	90-120 min

Pro Tip

Wake windows are more important than schedules at this age. Watch your baby for sleepy cues (yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness) rather than the clock.

Week 1-2: Survival Mode

What to expect:

Baby sleeps 16-18 hours per day
Wakes every 2-3 hours to eat
No difference between day and night
Sleep happens anywhere, anytime

Your job: Feed the baby, sleep when you can, accept all help offered. That's it.

The first two weeks are about recovery (for you) and adjustment (for baby). Don't try to implement any schedule. Just respond to your baby's needs.

Week 3-4: Small Improvements

What to expect:

Slightly longer sleep stretches (3-4 hours)
Baby may start showing preference for light vs. dark
More alert periods during the day
The 3-week growth spurt may disrupt sleep temporarily

What you can do:

Start differentiating day and night (bright during day, dark at night)
Begin a simple bedtime routine (diaper, feed, swaddle)
Keep nighttime feeds boring (low light, no play)

Key Takeaway

Around 3-4 weeks, many parents notice their baby becoming more "awake" during certain periods. This is normal development, not a sleep regression.

Week 5-8: Patterns Emerge

This is when things start to click. Your baby's circadian rhythm is developing, and you'll notice more predictable patterns.

What to expect:

4-5 hour stretches at night become possible
More defined naps during the day (though still irregular)
The 6-week growth spurt may cause temporary disruption
Baby may start resisting the swaddle

Sample schedule (approximate):

Time	Activity
7:00 AM	Wake, feed
8:30 AM	Nap 1 (45 min - 2 hrs)
10:30 AM	Feed
12:00 PM	Nap 2
2:00 PM	Feed
3:30 PM	Nap 3
5:00 PM	Feed
6:00 PM	Catnap
7:30 PM	Bedtime routine + feed
8:00 PM	Bedtime
Night	1-2 feeds

Pro Tip

This schedule is a loose framework, not a strict timeline. Follow your baby's cues, and don't stress if your day looks nothing like this.

Week 9-12: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

By week 12, most babies have developed a more predictable pattern. You might even get a 6-hour stretch at night (bliss!).

What to expect:

5-6 hour sleep stretches become more common
3-4 naps per day, with one longer morning nap
Baby may start self-soothing briefly
The 12-week growth spurt is coming

Signs your baby is ready for more structure:

Consistent morning wake time
Predictable fussy periods
Longer awake periods without meltdowns

Common Sleep Challenges (And What to Do)

Day/Night Confusion

Problem: Baby sleeps all day and parties all night. Solution: Expose baby to natural light during the day. Keep nights dark and boring. This usually resolves by week 4-6.

The 45-Minute Nap Trap

Problem: Baby wakes after exactly 45 minutes, every time. Solution: This is one sleep cycle. Try extending naps by leaving baby for 5-10 minutes to see if they resettle. Often they do.

Fighting Sleep

Problem: Baby is clearly exhausted but won't sleep. Solution: Usually means overtired. Catch sleepy cues earlier. Consider shortening wake windows by 15 minutes.

Only Sleeps While Held

Problem: Baby sleeps 3 hours in your arms, 20 minutes in the crib. Solution: This is normal for newborns. Try warming the crib with a heating pad (remove before placing baby), or use a sleep sack for that "held" feeling.

When to Seek Help

Talk to your pediatrician if:

Baby sleeps significantly more or less than average
Baby is difficult to wake for feeds
Sleep problems persist beyond 12 weeks with no improvement
You're struggling with your own mental health due to sleep deprivation

The Bottom Line

Newborn sleep is hard. It's supposed to be. But it does get better.

Remember:

Every baby is different
"Sleeping through the night" is a myth at this age
You're not doing anything wrong if your baby doesn't match the charts
This phase is temporary (even though it doesn't feel like it at 4 AM)

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Tracking Your Baby's Sleep

One of the best ways to spot patterns is to track your baby's sleep. After a week or two of data, you'll start seeing when your baby naturally gets tired and when they sleep best.

Many parents use apps like Koda to log sleep automatically - it makes it easy to share the night shift with your partner and spot patterns without the mental load of remembering everything.

Whatever method you use, tracking helps you feel more in control during a phase that often feels chaotic.

Written by parents who survived the newborn phase (barely). Last updated February 2026.