Baby Sleep and Wake Time Guide

Written By Michelle Mak

Sleep is a big topic for new parents. Many wonder how long should my newborn sleep? How many naps does my baby need? When will babies sleep through the night?

A baby’s sleep patterns and cycle changes, especially during their first year.

How long and often your baby sleeps depends on their age and development. A baby’s sleep patterns and cycle changes, especially during their first year. They go through several sleep regression phases and developmental leaps that can disrupt sleep.

During the first several weeks your newborn will be sleeping between 14 - 17 hours a day and can nap between 15 minutes to 4 hours. This means newborns will not be able to really “sleep through the night” because they are still developing their circadian rhythm.

As your baby gets older, balancing day and night sleep will be important to help them set a good sleep pattern. Here are ways to help teach your baby the difference between day and night:

Daytime

• Expose them to natural light during the

• Play with them during wake times

Nighttime

• Cut down on all stimulation, especially visual stimulations

• Turn down the lights

• Keep the noise soft or use a sound machine

Most babies start to have longer stretches of night sleep around 4 - 6 months, “sleeping through the night” is defined as 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. This is also around the age when parents can explore and apply sleep training techniques.

How do you know if your baby is getting enough sleep?

A simple method to track and manage your baby’s sleep schedule is with the Mewl Baby and Nursing Whiteboard. It will be helpful to reference for sleep training and ensures your baby gets adequate sleep.

Are you tracking your baby's sleep? Share your experience!