6 weeks baby sleep schedule
Newborn Sleep Schedules + Patterns– Nested Bean
With a baby on the way, or perhaps just arrived, you have probably been warned about the sleepless nights in your near future. Every parent knows that sleep deprivation is just part of the package – but don't worry, the priceless, magical moments you spend with your baby in their first few weeks make it all worth it. If you start to establish a newborn sleep schedule during the early stages of parenthood, you could save yourself a lot of stress in the long run.
We've broken down newborn sleep patterns to give you suggested newborn sleep routines all the way through your baby's first year. We'll also answer all your questions revolving around newborn sleep - like, how much sleep do they actually need? How can I make sure my baby becomes a “good sleeper” and more! Click the links below to skip to the sample newborn sleep schedule:
0-6 Weeks Newborn Sleep Schedule
2 to 3 Months Baby Sleep Schedule
4 to 6 Months Baby Sleep Schedule
6 to 10 Months Baby Sleep Schedule
10 to 12 Months Baby Sleep Schedule
First, let’s get the most important question answered and out of the way:
Will I ever sleep again?
The answer is. ..YES! Having a newborn baby is exhausting - we know! Infant sleep hours feel erratic and unpredictable at first. But there will be a light at the end of the tunnel! Our newborn sleep schedules will help you decode your baby's sleep and guide you along the way to “sleep success” (A.K.A. a peaceful ☺, full-night's sleep EVERY. NIGHT.). It will take patience, but our newborn sleep schedules will help you get there.
How do I make sure my baby gets the right amount of sleep?
Overstimulation during the day can cause your baby to either sleep too little or sleep when they should be eating, due to exhaustion. Newborn babies need to be fed frequently to ensure proper development.
If your newborn baby becomes overtired (meaning they've been awake too long between naps) they will become fussy, and harder to settle for sleep. We've given age-targeted tips to help avoid overstimulation and improve your baby's sleep in the sleep schedules below. For more information on how much sleep your baby needs and how long they should be sleeping at a time (as well as when you should consider waking your baby to feed) read How Much Do Newborns Sleep?
Learning your baby's sleep cycle
While your baby has your nose or eyes, the two of you couldn't be farther apart when it comes to sleep cycle! The main reason your newborn's sleep patterns are unpredictable is because of their evolving sleep cycle.
Adults can easily pass from one sleep cycle into the next without completely waking up. Newborns, however, don't stay in deep sleep (REM sleep) for long periods at a time, so they are more susceptible to frequent wake-ups. Our post, Your Baby's Sleep Cycle, explains more in-depth about how your baby's sleep cycle is linked to their sleep patterns.
Around 3 or so months, your baby's sleep cycle will change to look a little more like yours, which is why this is the same age you'll notice more stable and predictable sleeping patterns emerge. Unfortunately, shortly after 3 months into the 4th month, your baby also goes through many physiological changes, which may affect their sleep cycle and patterns; commonly called the 4 month sleep regression.
To learn more about the changes to your baby's sleep cycle and how to cope with sleep regression, read our post 10 Tips to Surviving the 4 Month Sleep Regression.
How much sleep does my baby need?
The short answer: A LOT.
Your newborn will spend the majority of time sleeping, and the rest of their time eating - this is especially true for the first few weeks. As a 6-week-old baby, your newborn will sleep up to 18 hours for every 24 hour period - in their first few days of being alive, they'll sleep even more! Of course, as your baby grows they'll need less and less sleep each day. Our newborn sleep schedules break it down for you and apps can help you track naps and nighttime sleep.
Zen Sleepwear™ is gently weighted to help soothe babies to sleep, so they can start learning healthy sleep habits while getting the rest they need.
| Help your baby get the sleep they need with gently weighted Zen Sleepwear Learn more |
Wondering if your newborn is sleeping too much? Want to learn more about how much your newborn should sleep and why? We've got answers in our article How Much Do Newborns Sleep?
Newborn sleep schedules
0-6 Weeks: sleep survivalYour newborn baby's sleep patterns: look irregular and erratic.
This is the true “newborn” stage. Like we mentioned, your baby will be spending most of their time snoozing, only waking to eat.
| From the experts “Up to 6 weeks it is typical that little ones are unable to stay up beyond the 35 to 40 minute mark. This means that they are essentially awake to get cleaned up, put on a new outfit, get a full feed, get cleaned up again, get another new outfit, and then nap again! Sometimes there isn't even time for the wardrobe change! Around 6 weeks, this awake threshold is right around 45 minutes, which still goes quickly!” - Brittney Stefanic, Brittney Stefanic Sleep Consulting |
The biggest challenge: You'll feel like you're in a constant eat-snooze-poop cycle. This is usually the most exhausting stage for parents despite so many baby sleep hours, as you'll only ever get a few hours of sleep at a time.
This is why we've named this the “sleep survival” stage. During this time, focus on making sure your baby gets all the rest, love, and care they need - that's what's most important. Avoid introducing sleep aids or associations if you can, but ultimately, just do what you need to do to make sure your baby AND YOU are getting enough rest.
Baby sleep schedule: 0-6 weeks
| Your day should start around... | 7 AM |
| Total hrs of sleep (in a 24-hr period) | 15 to 18 hours |
| Naps | 3 to 5 naps, each 15 minutes to 3 hours long |
| Time awake between sleeps | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Longest stretch of nighttime sleep | 2 to 4 hours |
Bedtime should be around. .. | 9:30 to 11 PM |
When to feed: Whenever baby needs it - which will be often! Their tiny stomachs can only hold so much, so expect to feed any time they wake up!
| From the experts “During this phase of adjusting to life with new baby, it is most important to ensure that their feed and sleep needs are being met. The only "sleep rule" for this young age, is to ensure that baby is sleeping in a safe sleep environment without added items in their crib or bassinet, and laid flat on their back. If ever in question, remember the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, on their Backs in an empty Crib or bassinet!" - Brittney Stefanic, Brittney Stefanic Sleep Consulting |
Zen tip: Take time to help your newborn clear up any day/night confusion.
At this age, it’s too early to have a super structured sleep schedule. While you can start implementing a simple bedtime routine, your baby is just going to sleep whenever they feel like it. Instead, teaching them the difference between day and night (that’s right - all babies need to LEARN the difference!) by keeping days bright and full of activity and nights dark, calm, and quiet, you’ll help them make an association that will help them sleep better as they grow.
| From the experts “One of the best ways to clear up the day/night confusion common during weeks 0 to 12, or the 4th trimester, is to expose baby to natural light during the daytime and keep them in a dark room during the night to allow their circadian rhythm and hormone (melatonin and cortisol to name a few) levels to start to adjust to life outside the womb. I always recommend to my prenatal and newborn clients that feeding their new baby the first feed of the day occurs in a room with as much natural light as possible, rather than in a dark bedroom or nursery. |
This tiny trick can make a big difference in expediting how our little bundles adjust to the day and night needs.”Your newborn's sleep pattern: is starting to emerge into a true pattern! She's probably able to stay awake a little longer between sleeps, and you're getting an idea of the times she starts to get sleepy. Still, your baby probably won't be awake for more than a couple hours at a time.
| From the experts “Even at 3 months old, the total time that babies are able remain awake without becoming overstimulated or overtired is only 1.5 hours. Remember this is time spent awake from the end of one nap to the start of the next, and it should include a full feed! Though this is a big jump from the quick 45 minutes at 6 weeks old, it still can speed by for a lot of parents, especially if they are trying to fit in running errands or taking care of things around the house. |
In these cases, it can be helpful to set an alarm or timer when baby gets up from their nap to help remind parents when it is time to start the next one!”
The Biggest Challenge: You are EXHAUSTED from those first 6 weeks of constant ups and downs. You're ready to get your baby snoozing for longer stretches - especially at night! But it's not easy, and it won't happen overnight. During the “sleep survival” stage, you may have introduced some habits that aren't sustainable in the long run, like feeding or rocking to sleep. Starting to introduce good sleep habits at this point will help lay the foundation for healthy sleep patterns.
| From the experts “Nighttime sleep can consolidate early, especially if newborns learn the skill of connecting sleep cycles without being fed to sleep from an early age. |
I have worked with many families that approach a solid 6 hour stretch of sleep after bedtime by 6 weeks old.”| Your day should start around... | 6 to 6:30 AM |
| Total hrs of sleep (in a 24-hr period) | 14 to 16 hours |
| Naps | 3 to 4 naps, each 30 minutes to 3 hours long |
| Time awake between sleeps | 45 minutes to 2 hours |
| Longest stretch of nighttime sleep | 3 to 6 hours |
Bedtime should be around. .. | 8 to 10 PM |
When to Feed: Your baby's stomach is a little bigger now, so they'll stay full for longer, but babies at this age still typically need to be fed every few hours - including throughout the night.
Zen tip: Here's when you can start implementing a baby bedtime routine. You've probably already picked up on the things that seem to soothe your baby. Stories? Baths? Swaddling? Try some different calming activities out and develop a nighttime routine that helps relax your baby and prepare them for sleep. Having a consistent routine is SO important for healthy sleep.
Overstimulation in the evening can make it difficult for your baby to settle to sleep. Try bathing, cuddling, singing, playing quiet music or reading, with a clearly defined end point when you leave the room. Begin these activities before your baby is overtired in a quiet, softly lit room. - Mayo Clinic
The Zen Swaddle makes a great addition to any bedtime routine.
It's gently weighted center and sides help soothe babies more than a traditional swaddle blanket. The weight helps to mimic your touch, so they can feel your loving embrace, even once you put them down to sleep. Additionally, the Zen Swaddle is effective in combating Moro Reflex, which is prevalent in most babies until 5 to 6 months old.
| Sweeter Sleep Story “We love our Zen Swaddle! Emma Grace sleeps like a "baby" in her sweet pink swaddle. The weighted center works just like a hand gently resting on her chest. As soon as we finished swaddling her, she was ready to sleep. It works!" - Susan R., 3/19/2018 It's never too soon to start implementing healthy sleep habits. The Zen Swaddle is a great addition to a bedtime routine and, when used consistently like with Emma Grace, will become your baby's cue to sleep. |
| Add the Zen Swaddle to your bedtime routine for better sleep Try the Zen Swaddles |
Additionally, take note of your baby’s sleepiness cues.
You don’t want to let your baby get overtired. Knowing and noticing their sleepiness cues will help you put them to bed while they’re drowsy and awake (another tip for good sleep!) and avoid an overtired baby.
4-6 Months: establishing healthy sleep habits
Your newborn’s sleep patterns: might appear to be changing. The 4 to 6 month mark is a time of transition for your baby - especially when it comes to their sleep! These transitions cause sleep to look very different depending on the baby. Some babies might be down to just 2 naps per day, others will still be fighting to get their baby to sleep during naptime (read our Naptime Guide for tips). Some babies will be experiencing a sleep regression due to changes in their sleep cycle (read more about the 4 month sleep regression) while others could potentially be sleeping through the night.
Regardless of what your baby's sleep looks like from 4-6 months, know that a full night's sleep is finally within your reach! In When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night, we explain when you can expect your baby to start staying asleep right through the night based on certain developmental milestones, most of which are passed around 4-6 months of age.
The Biggest Challenge: Transitions will be your biggest challenge during this time. Whether it's a visible transition, like transitioning out of swaddling or moving from the bassinet to the crib, or a transition you might not be able to see, like the changes to their sleep cycle, know that these transitions are temporary, therefore, so are the associated challenges. Luckily, we have many resources that can guide you through these transitions:
Learn When to Stop Swaddling and about our 4-Step Swaddle Transition Plan
Learn 10 Tips to Survive the 4 Month Sleep Regression
Some parents also seek out a sleep coach or start sleep training around this age. If you'd like to learn more about sleep training and what it is, check out our Sleep Training Guide.
Baby sleep schedule: 4 to 6-month-old sleep schedule| Your day should start around... | 7 to 8 AM |
| Total hrs of sleep (in a 24-hr period) | 12 to 15 hours |
| Naps | Usually 3 naps, each 1 to 3 hours long |
| Time awake between sleeps | 1. |
| Longest stretch of nighttime sleep | 4 to 8 hours |
| Bedtime should be around... | 8:30 to 9:30 PM |
5 to 2.5 hoursWhen to Feed:
Your babies feedings are probably consolidated by now, but that still means you're feeding 5 to 6 times throughout the day. Many babies also still have at least one nighttime feed at this age - but it might not be necessary. Check with your paediatrician to make sure it's safe to start weaning the nighttime feed(s) and then follow our Zen Tip to break the association.
Zen Tip:
Now is the time to start breaking sleep associations. A sleep association could be anything that aids your baby in falling asleep. Some sleep associations, such as swaddling or white noise, are positive.
Others, like rocking or nursing to sleep, are negative because they aren't sustainable. All babies need to learn to self-soothe at some point, and slowly breaking negative sleep associations is the first step. Once they no longer rely on any outside help to fall asleep, they'll be able to learn to fall asleep independently. If you're feeding your baby to sleep, start weaning from feedings by shortening them. If you're rocking her to sleep, rock her for shorter periods of time before putting her down.
The Zen Sack™ can be especially helpful in breaking sleep associations and overcoming transitions. The Zen Sack's gently weighted center offers a similar comfort and pressure to swaddling, making it the ideal swaddle transition product. Additionally, the weighted center mimics your touch, which can help babies relax and begin learning to self-soothe.
| Sweeter Sleep Story “My 3 month old daughter would not sleep in her own bed. - Chelsey C., 4/15/2018 |
Her dad or I would have to stay up all night, holding her, and we were exhausted. Every time we laid her down she would wake up! Once we started with the Zen Sack, immediately things started changing for us. Not only is our little girl sleeping in her own bed, she will also fall asleep on her own! Thanks Nested Bean!" The Zen Sack™ helps break sleep associations and eases transitionsTry the Zen Sack |
Your baby’s sleep pattern: is completely unique! During this time, there's one thing we can't stress enough: EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT! Some babies progress faster than others - so while your baby might still only sleep 4 hour stretches at night, your friend's baby might have been sleeping through the night for a month now.
If you are just beginning to implement a consistent bedtime routine, learning your baby's sleepiness cues, and starting to break sleep associations, then it's going to take your baby a little longer to reach the sleeping through the night milestone - but that's okay! You should still see a distinct sleeping pattern at this age, and you can use that to start implementing all the Zen Tips you might have missed until now (look back at the other ages' sleep schedules to review them).
The Biggest Challenge: Sleeping Through the Night. Some parents might have gotten lucky and their baby is already sleeping through the night at this point! Other parents are still patiently waiting. If you're part of the second group, don't stress. Many babies don't sleep through the night until after 6 months old. First, review our article When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night to make sure your baby has passed the developmental milestones necessary to start sleeping through the night.
If they have, wonderful! Now you can move on to our 8 Solutions To Get Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night to help overcome this challenge. Also know that according to the National Sleep Foundation, 70-80% of babies are sleeping through the night by 9 months old - so chances are a good night's sleep is just around the corner!
Baby sleep schedule: 6-10 months
| Your day should start around... | 7 AM |
| Total hrs of sleep (in a 24-hr period) | 11 to 15 hours |
| Naps | 2 or 3 naps, each 1 to 3 hours long |
| Time awake between sleep | 2 or 3 hours |
| Longest stretch of nighttime sleep | 5 to 10 hours |
Bedtime should be around. .. | 8 to 9:30 PM |
When to Feed: Some pediatricians recommend adding in solid foods at 6+ months old. You'll still be breast or bottle feeding up to 5 times per day, but also supplementing with solid foods. To learn more about what solid food servings should look like, consult your pediatrician.
Zen tip: Now that you’ve started breaking sleep associations, you’ll need to help teach your baby to self soothe. Here’s what you can do: Remember those sleepiness cues? Use those to make sure you are putting your baby to sleep drowsy, but awake. Putting her down while she’s still awake will help her practice falling asleep on her own. If you are still trying to wean night time feedings, give a dream feed a try, or keep cutting back on feeding time.
You can also use the Zen Sack to teach your baby to self soothe. Start by putting them down drowsy but awake in their Zen Sack.
Then gently pat or rub the weighted center of the Zen Sack with your hand to help them make the association between the weight and your touch. Let them drift off to sleep, and if they wake up and cry out for you, just pat the weighted center again to soothe them. Try to avoid picking them up, as that can sometimes just re-stimulate them. The gentle pressure from the weighted center helps calm babies and they can use it to soothe themselves back to sleep without your help. You may even notice that your baby starts patting the weighted center themself to soothe back to sleep!
Learn more about how to teach self-soothing with the Zen Sack here.
Some parents decide to try sleep training around this age. To learn more, check out our Sleep Training Guide.
| Sweeter Sleep Story “My baby sleeps really well when she has her Zen Sack on. She likes to stroke the front of the sack while she falls asleep. - Velda M., 3/14/2018 |
I really like that it gives her the reassurance of a light when on her chest when I move her from lap to crib, which we all know is the most crucial part of getting the baby to sleep!" The gently weighted Zen Sack helps teach your baby to fall asleep independentlyTry the Zen Sack |
10-12 Months: avoiding sleep setbacks
Your baby’s sleep patterns: look a bit more like an adults - except for the naps ;) Most likely, your baby is starting to sleep through the night, taking a couple naps a day and is spending much more of their time playing and exploring instead of sleeping!
The Biggest Challenge: At this stage, your biggest challenge will be any potential setbacks. Sleep regressions commonly occur at 8, 9, or 10 months old, and some babies even experience sleep regressions at 12 months old (when they’re getting ready to drop the 2nd nap).
Different milestones, changes to routine or environment, and separation anxiety are some of the causes of sleep regressions or setbacks at this age. Read more about each type of sleep regression in Surviving Sleep Regressions.
Baby sleep schedule: 10-12 months
| Your day should start around... | 6 to 7:30 AM |
| Total hrs of sleep (in a 24-hr period) | 11 to 14 hours |
| Naps | 1 or 2 naps, each 1 to 2 hours long |
| Time awake between sleeps | 2.5 to 3.5+ hours |
| Longest stretch of nighttime sleep | 7 to 12 hours |
Bedtime should be around. .. | 8 to 9 PM |
When to Feed: Usually you’ll still nurse or bottle feed 3 to 4 times per day, and supplement with solid foods. You may notice an increase in appetite around 10 months old due to the increase in your baby’s activity levels. This might require extra snacks throughout the day. Most babies are able to sleep through the night without a feeding at this age.
Zen tip: If your baby does experience a sleep setback during this time, it can be especially frustrating, not to mention, discouraging. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, they suddenly stop sleeping through the night or they hate naps all of a sudden.
| From the experts “Responding with consistency and holding your baby to their personal best is a great way to overcome sleep setbacks as quickly as possible. |
It is important to minimize the confusion that our children experience by staying consistent in the messages we send them, in sleep and beyond!”For help with naptime, read How to Get My Baby to Nap.
For help with sleep regressions, read Surviving Sleep Regressions.
For additional sleep tips, read 7 Tips and Tricks on How to Get My Baby to Sleep.
For information on sleep training, read our Sleep Training Guide.
Baby sleep safety
No matter what age or stage your baby is at, it’s important to make sure their sleeping safely. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), your baby should always be placed on their back to sleep and the sleep surface should be firm and clear of all loose objects, including bedding, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, etc.
To learn more about baby sleep safety, especially when your baby starts to roll over, read Safe Sleep: Baby Sleeping on Side or Stomach.
To learn more about the AAP’s guidelines, visit How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained.
Sleeping through the night
While we walked you through the baby sleep schedules above, we explained that sleeping through the night happens around 6 months or older for most babies. Most babies will start sleeping longer stretches around the 6 week mark, but for some babies, the 4 to 6 week mark is the onset of colic or disruptive sleep due to other reasons. But it won’t last forever- I promise. Stay consistent with the feeding and sleep schedule, adapt to your baby’s changes and most importantly institute that consistent bedtime routine of bathing, reading, feeding, rocking. Before you know it, your baby will be sleeping through the night.
At 3-4 months old, your baby will still wake up once or twice to be fed, but the sleep stretches in-between will increase to 4-6 hours. You’ll see their number of naps reduce during the day, but again, the stretches of sleep will be longer.
Remember that trying to implement a later bedtime for your baby in the hopes that they will sleep later will not work. Your baby needs to be put down before they are overtired and will wake on their own schedule – whether that’s 4 a.m. or 7 a.m. Refer back to our newborn sleep schedules for a suggested bedtime, or check out our Age-by-Age Bedtime Chart.
In fact, don’t be surprised if around 12 to 15 weeks, you find yourself crawling out of bed at all hours of the night to go check on your little one, who (to your surprise) is sleeping soundly! This is an adjustment for you just as much as your baby. Once you get used to waking up to calm or feed your baby every few hours, it can feel really odd not to once it stops - sometimes even alarming.
| From the founder "Once I finally got our first son sleeping for those longer stretches, I still found myself waking up to go check on him and make sure he was okay. - Manasi Gangan, Founder & President, Nested Bean |
I even called our pediatrician to make sure nothing was wrong! She congratulated and assured me that it meant ‘He is getting good nutrition during daytime. Good job mom! Go get some sleep!’”Read When Do Babies Sleep Through the night to find out when you can expect your baby to sleep through the night based on the milestones he or she has reached.
Read 8 Solutions to Get Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night for additional tips on getting your baby to finally sleep all the way through the night and tips for helping baby sleep alone to help your baby become an independent sleeper.
Ultimately, these baby sleep schedules are just suggestions. Every baby is different. We can’t stress that enough. So, don’t compare your baby’s sleeping habits to another baby’s because they WILL be different. Like we said, some babies start sleeping for longer stretches right at six weeks (even earlier in some cases!) while other babies will take much longer to reach this milestone.
| From the founder "Our first son slept through the night by 12 weeks while our second son was such a poor sleeper that he inspired me to create the Zen Swaddle. Every baby is completely different!" - Manasi Gangan, Founder & President, Nested Bean |
Ultimately, YOU know what’s best for your baby, and YOU know when there’s something wrong. Don’t be stressing out when at 7 weeks your baby is still sleeping for 3 or 4 hours at a time while your friend’s baby is already sleeping through the night. If your instincts are telling you something’s up, call your pediatrician. But otherwise, just keep implementing those healthy sleep habits, sticking to your routine, and using your Zen Swaddle!
Other Sleep ResourcesHealthychildren.Org: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe?
National Library of Medicine: Newborn Circadian Rhythm
Journals.
plos.org: Development of sleep states in the first weeks
National Library of Medicine: Help me make it through the night
Healthychildren.Org: Preemie Sleep Patterns
Common questions about newborn sleep schedules and patterns
What is a normal sleep pattern for a newborn?The best newborn sleep schedule is one that works well for your baby's natural sleeping pattern. Generally, newborns sleep for around 8 hours during the day and then a further 8 hours during the night. Their sleep will be broken up into smaller 'chunks' depending on their hunger levels.
How do you get a newborn sleep schedule?The best way to determine a good sleep schedule for your baby is to work around their natural waking and sleeping patterns. You can then work other things, such as feeding and changing, around their sleeping patterns also until you have an established schedule.
Most newborns will sleep in short bursts of around 2-3 hours through both the day and the night.
They will wake up to feed and to have a diaper change. Some newborns may be able to get more hours of sleep in a row and others may sleep even less!
It is perfectly normal for newborns to only sleep for short periods of time however, if you are struggling with their current routine, there are a few methods that may help them to sleep for longer. Keep in mind that all babies are different so these methods may not work for every child. If your newborn is struggling to sleep for longer periods of time you could try:
- Blackout curtains
- Tools to block out noise
- Temperature adjustments
- Sleeping audio
- Teaching your baby to self-soothe
- Dream feeding
How Much Sleep Does a Six-Week-Old Baby Need?
Expert guidance tips on your newborn's sleep schedule.
By Katrina Nattress Updated April 15, 2022
You’ve made it to week six, and if your baby’s an early learner they might have gifted you with that first precious social smile. If not, don’t worry! Most infants hit this milestone between six to eight weeks. As you continue to get into a groove with your baby, you may be wondering if there’s supposed to be some sort of pattern with sleep at this age (because it seems like they’re snoozing constantly, yet you somehow never sleep).
To help you navigate these early weeks of newborn sleep, we’ve put together a handy sleep schedule of how much your six-week-old is sleeping, plus some tips on these early days of sleeping. We know it seems overwhelming right now, but you’ve got this, mama!
Related: Baby Feeding Guides & Schedules
How much sleep does a six-week-old baby need?
You may be sleep-deprived these days, but your new baby needs lots of zzz’s.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a newborn should get 12-16 hours of sleep per 24 hours.
“At six weeks old your baby is likely going through their first major development leap and you may start to see longer stretches of sleep at night (between 4-6 hours) more consistently,” says Rachel Mitchell, founder of My Sweet Sleeper. “Your baby will also start to become more alert and aware of their surroundings during the day, which means those 3-hour naps may start to become less frequent.”
With so much time dedicated to sleep, you may be wondering when you’ll have time to feed, change, bath and engage with your little one. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a sample sleep schedule of what one 24-hour period with a six-week-old baby would look like. (Note: this is meant to be a rough guide of what you can expect a day to look like, but it is not meant to be a sleep schedule you put your baby on.)
Six-week-old baby sleep schedule
“This is also the time that your baby’s peak fussy period can start which can cause them to become really fussy in the evening and you may see they start to fight the last nap of the day.
If this is happening, it is completely OK to hold or babywear for that last nap,” says Mitchell. “Continue to practice a later bedtime (between 7:30-9:30 pm) and make sure that you are consistent with your nightly routine. Offering a luke-warm bath, dimming the lights, and turning on white noise in the evening can also help with your baby’s fussy periods as well as nursing or feeding if needed. Remember that nursing to sleep in this stage is still completely normal and encouraged on occasion, especially if it helps settle your baby during this fussy period.”
Related: 2-month-old baby milestones
Wake windows for a six-week-old
If you’re not yet familiar with the term “wake window,” it’s the period of time a baby can stay awake in between naps without getting overtired. Newborns are unable to self-regulate their sleep patterns, so instead of simply just falling asleep, they can become overtired. And that’s not good for anyone!
Though each baby is different, most newborns can’t stay awake longer than 45 minutes (the average wake window for a six-week-old baby is 30 minutes).
This is the time where you’ll be able to change their diaper, feed them, bathe them, and/or stimulate them with songs, books, tummy time, or whatever you’d like before it’s time to snooze again.
Sleep tips for newborns:
As you work on creating a daytime and evening sleep schedule for your baby, establish a bedtime routine and hopefully get a bit more sleep yourself, it’s important to consider the following sleep tips for newborns as well:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on the stomach or side. This helps to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID). The American Academy of Pediatrics initiated the “Back to Sleep” movement in 1992, and rates of SIDS/SUID have decreased dramatically since.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, loose sheets, and bumpers out of your baby’s crib or bassinet for similar reasons as above.
- Avoid overheating.
Even though they’re itty-bitty babies, you can dress them according to the room’s temperature. Don’t over-swaddle or over-layer their clothing. - Try a pacifier. If they reject it, that’s OK. If it falls out, that’s OK. If you’re breastfeeding, you may want to wait until baby is comfortable with latching and effectively nursing before introducing a pacifier.
- Use a white noise machine. Whether your house is quiet as a mouse, or you’ve got other kids running around making noise, a white noise machine can help your baby feel soothed (and possibly tune out) in their surroundings.
- Snuggle it up. Your newborn wants your cuddles as much as you want to give them—especially if they’re fussy. Swaddle them up snugly, then rock them until they quiet down. There’s no such thing as holding a newborn too much (for safety reasons, don’t fall asleep with them in your arms).
A version of this story was published August 24, 2021. It has been updated.
Daily routine for a child under 1 year old
Daily routine is a system for distributing periods of sleep and wakefulness, meals, hygiene and health procedures, activities and independent human activities throughout the day.
Compliance with a rational daily routine corresponding to the age characteristics of the child contributes to his healthy growth and development. Getting used to performing various types of activities at the same time, the child is prepared for the upcoming type of activity at every moment of time, which ensures their easier and faster implementation. Compliance with the correct daily routine provides a good mood for the child and maintains a keen interest in the study of the world around him, contributing to his normal motor and psychoverbal development. nine0003
The child's daily routine includes the following obligatory elements: diet, time spent outdoors during the day, frequency and duration of sleep, mandatory classes to develop skills in accordance with age, free time.
In the first months after birth, a healthy newborn baby sleeps for most of the day, since all external stimuli are very strong for the nervous system of a child, accustomed to a cozy intrauterine environment, and cause its rapid exhaustion.
As the child grows older, the duration of sleep gradually decreases and the time of wakefulness increases. nine0003
| Age | Daytime sleep mode | Night sleep | Wake mode |
| From birth to 2 months | 6 x 2.5 hours | 6 hours | During feeding |
| 2-4 months | 5 times 2-2.5 hours | 6.5 hours | 4 x 1.5 hours |
| 4-6 months | 4-5 times for 2 hours | 7 hours | nine0013 4 times 2 hours|
| 6-9 months | 3-4 times for 1.5-2 hours | 8 hours | 4 x 2.5 hours |
| 9-12 months | 2 x 1.5-2 hours | 9-10 hours | 4 times for 3-4 hours |
Closely related to the sleep-wake mode is the feeding mode of the baby. The sleep of a child in the first months of life is very sensitive and is easily disturbed under the influence of various extraneous stimuli, including hunger.
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| Age | Mode | Example |
| From birth to 2 months | 7-8 times, every 3 hours | 6,9,12,15,18,21,24 (no night feeding) |
| From 2 to 6 months | 6-7 times, every 3.5 hours | 6, 9.30, 13, 16.30, 20, 23.30 (without night feeding) 6, 9.30, 13, 16.30, 20, 23.30, 03 (with night feeding) |
| From 7-12 months | 5 times, every 4 hours | 6,10,14,18,22 |
A child's stay in the fresh air is essential in the daily routine. The total duration of stay in the open air for children under 1 year of age should be at least 5-6 hours a day. Fresh air has a calming effect on the baby, improves metabolic processes, and increases the body's defenses. In the summer, all games and activities should be held outdoors; in the cold and transitional seasons, two one-time walks of 1.
5-2 hours are provided. nine0003
Fresh air also has a beneficial effect on sleep. By acting on the skin and mucous membranes of the nose and upper respiratory tract, it provides a faster fall asleep of the child and a higher quality of sleep. Sleeping outside can replace a walk, especially during the cold season.
The child's daily routine is generally individual, but ideally, one should strive to ensure that the child eats after waking up, and then stays awake until the next sleep. A well-slept baby eats with appetite and then calmly and actively plays or engages, and tired of games, easily goes to sleep. nine0003
When your baby is awake, try to keep him active and cheerful. It is necessary to dress the child in loose clothing that does not hinder movement, provide access to toys appropriate for his age, and most importantly, actively participate in games and activities with the baby as a whole family.
Author - Physiotherapist - DMITRIENKO T.G.
Baby sleep mode
All parents dream of their baby sleeping well.
And not only because they themselves need to snatch a piece of time for rest, but also because healthy sleep is vital for the normal functioning of the child's body. nine0003
A newborn and a child in a year or two sleep differently. The total duration of sleep in the first months of life is 16-20 hours a day, gradually decreasing to 12 hours at the age of five and up to 10 hours at the older age. However, with age, not only the duration of sleep changes, but also its rhythm. In young children, REM sleep with dreams predominates over slow-wave, deep sleep.
By about eight months, the proportion of REM sleep decreases and is about 20-25% of the total sleep duration, which corresponds to the sleep rhythm of an adult. nine0003
A child is born with an unformed circadian rhythm, and quite often even during pregnancy the baby slept or was awake contrary to his mother. A newborn usually sleeps no more than an hour and a half in a row - that's how long the sleep-wake cycle takes him.
At the age of two to eight weeks, this cycle is extended to 4 hours.
Sleeping through the night without waking up, most children will learn before the age of one. At the age of two, children finally form a well-established daily rhythm, but it becomes more difficult to put the child to sleep. nine0003
Here are some average norms for the duration of daytime and nighttime sleep for children of different ages: hours;
It is important to note here that all children, of course, are individual and do not necessarily fit into the framework of these average parameters. Do not wake the child unless absolutely necessary, fearing that he will oversleep an extra hour.
However, it should not be forgotten that compliance with the sleep regimen has a beneficial effect on the physical and psychological development of the child.
In order for the child to sleep well, certain conditions must be observed. Firstly, the bed and the room in which the child sleeps should be clean and cool, the air should not be too dry. Secondly, the child should not be prevented from falling asleep by extraneous sounds, it is advisable to turn off or dim the light. And, thirdly, before going to bed, the child should not be overfed, but not hungry, otherwise the discomfort in the stomach will prevent him from falling asleep. nine0003
Before going to bed it is better not to play active games with the child - nervous excitement will not soon allow him to fall asleep peacefully. A warm bath soothes a child before bedtime, especially if you add a few drops of lavender essential oil to it. Lullabies should not be neglected - this daily ritual gives the baby a feeling of comfort and stability, calms him down.
Several factors can interfere with a child's normal, healthy sleep. If the baby is hungry, thirsty or feels wet, he wakes up. If the baby is hot or, on the contrary, too cold, he can also wake up. nine0003
Intestinal colic can interfere with children's sleep, especially in the first months.
Colic is associated with the immaturity of the baby's digestive system: gases accumulate in the intestines and press on its walls, causing pain. Usually colic disappears by 2 months, but can last up to 4-5 months. Special medications, such as Espumizana, a vent tube, dill water, will help soothe the pain. Before using any means, you need to consult a pediatrician. nine0003
Erupting teeth cause pain to the child, which, of course, causes disturbances in the usual sleep pattern. To make the baby sleep more peacefully, you can give him special rings filled with gel before going to bed. Such rings are cooled in the refrigerator, after which they are given to the child.
Night terrors may appear in a child around 2 years of age and greatly interfere with his restful sleep. However, rare nightmares are not necessarily a sign of pathology; on the contrary, children who have never had nightmares are an exception to the rule. If nightmares become frequent, the same nightmare repeats (this can be judged by the description given by the child himself), then it is better to contact a psychologist. nine0003
Sometimes the child wakes up at night, but not completely, and in less than a minute he falls asleep again. Such "awakenings" should not frighten parents. Therefore, it is not necessary, having heard the slightest sound from the child’s crib, to immediately run to him, grab him in his arms - perhaps it is precisely from the actions of the parents that the child will wake up completely and become capricious.
In order to instill a proper sleep pattern in your baby, it is important to remember the following:
- you don't need to wake your baby on purpose, even if it's time to feed him; nine0147
- before putting the child to bed, you need to make sure that he is full;
- Night feedings should take place in a quiet, peaceful environment with subdued lights;
- if there is such an opportunity, then at 10-12 months it is advisable to refuse night feedings;
- it is necessary to put the child to bed always at the same time;
- daily feedings should not lull the child, but on the contrary, tune in to activity;
- it is desirable to start a special ritual of falling asleep, for example, to sing lullabies before going to bed or to put his favorite toy next to the child.
