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Newborn Sleep Patterns

Newborns sleep 16-17 hours daily in short periods.

What's normal:

  • No set schedule at first
  • Often have day/night confusion
  • Wake every 2-3 hours to feed
  • Sleep cycles are 40-60 minutes

Don't expect sleeping through the night (6+ hours) until at least 3 months — often longer. This is completely normal and healthy.

What to Do

  • Follow baby's lead - newborns need to wake frequently to eat
  • Expect 2-4 hour sleep stretches at first, gradually lengthening
  • Help with day/night confusion: Keep lights bright and active during day, dark and quiet at night
  • Feed when baby shows hunger cues, even if just slept
  • Use white noise machine to help baby sleep through household sounds
  • Create bedtime routine even for newborns (bath, feeding, cuddles)
  • Don't stress about schedule yet - focus on meeting baby's needs
  • Take shifts with partner so each parent gets longer sleep blocks
  • Sleep when baby sleeps during day to manage exhaustion

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