As a lactation consultant, I often hear from parents who are concerned about their newborn’s sleep habits. Understanding what is normal can help parents set realistic expectations and gently guide their baby toward more predictable sleep patterns. Here’s what to expect during the first month of your baby’s life.
The First Week: Night-Shifted Sleep
In the first week of life, many newborns have their days and nights reversed. This happens because, in the womb, they were often lulled to sleep by a parent’s movements during the day and more active at night. As a result, they may sleep longer during the day and wake frequently at night.
How to Gently Shift Their Sleep Cycle:
Expose Baby to Natural Light – Take your baby outside or near a window for indirect sunlight during the daytime, especially in the morning.
Keep Nights Dark and Quiet – Dim the lights and keep nighttime interactions calm and brief to reinforce the difference between day and night.
Encourage Daytime Wakefulness – Engage with your baby during wake windows with gentle play, diaper changes, and feeding in a well-lit room.
Weeks 2-4: Developing a More Predictable Rhythm
After the first week, babies often settle into a pattern of taking four to five naps during the day and starting their longest sleep stretch in the evening, usually around 9 p.m.
Typical Sleep Patterns Around This Time:
Babies may nap every 1.5 to 3 hours throughout the day.
The longest sleep period usually happens in the first part of the night, lasting 2-4 hours.
Night wakings are still frequent, as babies need to feed often.
The End of the First Month: Longer Night Stretches
By the end of the first month, many babies begin to consolidate their nighttime sleep. While every baby is different, a common pattern emerges where babies:
Sleep in 3-4 hour stretches at night starting around 9 p.m. Many babies still wake every 2-3 hours after the first, longest stretch of sleep.
Wake for feedings but go back to sleep fairly easily.
Start waking for the day between 6-7 a.m.
Take about three naps during the day, though some may still take four.
Supporting Healthy Sleep Habits
Follow your baby’s cues for sleepiness, such as yawning, fussiness, or staring off.
Offer a consistent bedtime routine, even if it’s just a simple sequence of feeding, diaper change, and a quiet cuddle before sleep.
Keep daytime naps flexible and responsive to your baby’s needs rather than a strict schedule.
Remember that frequent waking is normal and necessary for newborns to get the nutrition they need.
The first month is a time of huge adjustment, both for your baby and for you as parents. By gently guiding their sleep patterns with light exposure and responsive care, you can help them develop healthy sleep habits over time. If you have concerns about your baby’s sleep or feeding, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or pediatrician for support!
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