Quick Summary

Remember: This is only an outline of general development; each child may vary greatly from this pattern.

Table of Contents

• Why Newborns Don't Follow a Fixed Sleep Schedule 
• How Much Do Babies Sleep?
• Newborn Sleep Schedule: 0–1 Month
• Baby Sleep Schedule: 1–2 Months
• Baby Sleep Schedule: 2–3 Months
• Baby Sleep Schedule: 3–4 Months
• Baby Sleep Schedule: 4–5 Months
• Baby Sleep Schedule: 5–6 Months
• Sample Flexible Daily Routines
• How to Teach Day and Night
• Conclusion

Newborn Sleep Schedule by Age (0–6 Months)

Among the very first questions that new parents look up once they bring their little one home are:
"What should be my newborn’s sleep schedule?"
The answer might surprise you:
There is no ideal schedule that applies to all newborns.
Newborns don’t start with the circadian rhythm of adults – they develop it gradually, and frequently waking up is perfectly normal, especially during the first weeks.

On average, newborns sleep about 16-17 hours per day, but often in short bouts, which makes it clear that there are lots of differences between newborns – some sleep in shorter bouts, while others sleep longer.
And you shouldn’t be trying to fit your little one into a strict schedule.
What matters is:
Safe sleep + feeding + sleep cues + routines.

Why Don't Newborns Follow a Fixed Sleep Schedule?

Babies are born with:

• A small stomach size
  
• Regular feeding requirements
  
• An immature circadian clock
  
• Short sleep periods
  
• Fast-changing development process

It simply implies that your infant will sleep for several hours, awaken to eat, stay awake for some time, and fall asleep again.
There are babies who sleep a lot during daytime, whereas there are those who seem more awake at nighttime.
Therefore, a rigid 7 a.m.–7 p.m. routine will most likely not work well during the first weeks.

How Much Sleep Do Newborns Need?

The amount of sleep is very different.
It may be 16-17 hours per 24 hours in the case of newborns, stressing that babies differ greatly.  The amount of sleep in newborns may be different, and some babies will sleep much more or less than other babies.
What is important is not forcing your baby to sleep for a certain amount daily.
Instead, you should consider:

• Feeding
  
• Alertness
  
• Growth
  
• Mood
  
• Sleep patterns
  
• General health condition

The pediatrician will help you to decide about adequate sleep of your baby.

Newborn Sleep Schedule: 0–1 Month

During the first month, sleep is likely to be irregular.
Your baby will:

• Sleep at varying times of the day
  
• Wake up often to feed
  
• Sleep for short durations
  
• Not have an established difference between day and night
  
• Require help to sleep

The Newborn babies cannot sleep for long periods during the night since their tummies are small and require regular feeding.

What Parents Should Be Concerned About
Do not concern yourself with developing a rigid schedule.
Rather,
During the Day

Open the curtains.
Let the noise of the household enter.
Feed your baby as required.
Engage with your baby during their waking hours.

During the Night
Keep lights dim.
Keep your voice soft.
Keep the interaction calm.
Feed and change your baby as necessary.
Get back to sleep after completing care duties.

Baby Sleep Schedule: 1–2 Months

As early as two months old, some infants start exhibiting certain patterns of behavior.
Some signs include:

• Longer awake periods
  
• More predictable sleeping periods
  
• Slightly more sleeping at night
  
• Frequent waking up
  
• Several naps during the day
  However, a strict routine will not be expected just yet.

Example Routine with Flexibility

Morning: Feeding → Awake period → Nap
Late morning: Feeding → Short awake period → Nap
Afternoon: Feeding → Awake period → Nap
Evening: Feeding → Quiet period → Sleep
Night: Feeding → Changing as necessary → Sleep

Note: This is a flexible routine and not a fixed one.

Baby Sleep Schedule: 2–3 Months

By two and three months of age, infants can start to be more responsive to lights, sounds, and routines.
They could also start to sleep through the night more often; however, frequent awakening at night is also normal.
Your Responsibilities

• Be consistent with bedtime rituals.
  
• Respond to hunger cues.
  
• Expose your child to typical day-time activity.
  
• Make sure that nighttime is quiet and boring.
  
• Observe signs of tiredness.

Baby Sleep Schedule: 3–4 Months

Within three to four months, many infants begin exhibiting a more defined sleeping pattern.
Babies do not exhibit regular sleeping cycles until four months, which indicates that there may be observable sleep changes at this time.
Some changes observed include:

• Longer periods of sleep through the night
  
• Established nap times
  
• Greater alertness during daytime
  
• Defined bedtime routine
  However, not all babies exhibit the same patterns of sleep development.

What Parents Can Do
Establish an easy bedtime routine:
Feed → Burp → Diaper change → Lower lights → Interaction → Bedtime

Baby Sleep Schedule: 4–5 Months

However, at this time, some infants may be able to sleep for extended periods at night.
During the period of 3 to 6 months, infants may require fewer feedings at night, and some may sleep in stretches of 5–8 hours or more, although this is not true for all infants.
This is a very critical consideration:

Longer sleep can be achieved, but it is not necessary.
Some infants may still wake up at night.
Areas Of Concentration:

• Bedtime routine
  
• Established sleep patterns
  
• Soothing sleep surroundings
  
• Appropriate daytime naps
  
• Sleep safety

Baby Sleep Schedule: 5–6 Months

At around five to six months, babies usually show a more apparent wake-sleep cycle.
They could be having:

• More sleeping at night time
  
• Multiple naps during the day
  
• More defined bedtimes
  
• More awake time during the day
  However, individual differences are still perfectly fine.
  It is not about forcing them into an exact schedule, but rather following one that suits them.

Flexible 0–6 Month Routines

Age 0 to 3 months
Morning
Awake -> Feed -> Short awake period -> Sleep
Midday
Feed -> Wake -> Nap
Afternoon
Feed -> Short awake period -> Nap
Evening
Feed -> Quiet period -> Sleep
Night
Feed -> Change if necessary -> Go to bed
Age 3 to 6 months
Morning
Awake -> Feed -> Awake period -> Nap
Late morning
Feed -> Awake period -> Nap
Afternoon
Feed -> Awake period -> Nap
Evening
Feed -> Quiet routine -> Bedtime
Night
Awake when necessary -> Feed/Cuddle -> Go back to sleep

Some infants will take more or less naps. It is fine.

How to Teach Your Baby Day and Night

The sleep of a newborn makes sense if parents do not focus on "schedule" and concentrate on day/night triggers instead.

In the Daytime
Keep curtains open.
Allow household noises.
Interact with your baby.

Offer chances to be awake at age-appropriate times.

At Night
Dim the lights.
Be soft in voice.
Do not overstimulate.
Feed and change in quiet manner.
Put the baby back to sleep place.

Parents can use brighter and more active triggers during the day and dim ones at night.

Watch Your Baby's Sleep Cues

Your schedule is not more important than your baby.
Early signs of tiredness could be:

• Turning away
  
• Getting less active
  
• Yawning
  
• Less interested in toys or social play
  
• Fussy
  
• Slow movements

Once you see these signs, it is time to wind down.
There is no need to wait until the baby becomes overtired before offering sleep.

Sleep Hygiene for Your Little One, One Step at a Time

Your child does not need a flawless routine; your child needs a healthy sleep environment that will be learned over time through responsive care.
Download TinyTyke Newborn Sleep Routine Checklist to learn more about how to recognize signs of fatigue, bedtime routines and preparing the newborn.

Download Newborn Sleep Checklist
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