The first three months with your baby — often called the fourth trimester — are filled with love, learning, and let’s be honest… a lot of night wakings. Newborn sleep is unpredictable, but understanding what’s normal (and what helps) can make these early weeks a little gentler for both you and your baby.In this guide, we’ll share simple, evidence-based tips to support your newborn’s sleep from 0 to 12 weeks, helping you build healthy habits right from the start.
🌙 How Much Should a Newborn Sleep?
Newborns typically sleep 14 to 17 hours per day, but that sleep is scattered across both day and night. Their tiny tummies mean they wake often for feeds — every 2 to 4 hours is normal in the early weeks.💡 Learn more about how your baby’s sleep patterns work in our guide: Understanding Your Baby’s Sleep Cycle.
🍼 5 Gentle Tips to Support Newborn Sleep
✅ 1. Watch for Sleep Cues (Not the Clock)
Newborns can’t stay awake for very long — often just 45 to 90 minutes at a time. Look for early sleep cues like:
- Yawning
- Staring off into the distance
- Rubbing eyes or fussiness
Responding to these cues before your baby becomes overtired helps them settle more easily. Need help spotting the signs? Check out Baby Sleep Cues: How to Know When Your Baby Is Tired.
🌿 2. Focus on Day/Night Differentiation
In the early weeks, your baby doesn’t yet understand the difference between day and night. Help set their internal clock by:
- Keeping daytime bright and active
- Limiting stimulation at night (dim lights, quiet voices)
- Using calming sleepwear like soft Bamboo Bodysuits or a Swaddle Blanket for naps and bedtime
🛏️ 3. Build a Simple Bedtime Routine (Yes, Even for Newborns)
While newborns may not yet follow strict schedules, a predictable routine before sleep helps signal that it’s time to rest.A basic newborn routine might include:
- Bath or gentle wipe-down
- Feeding
- Soft music or white noise
- Cuddles or rocking wrapped in a cozy Bamboo Baby Blanket
For more routine ideas, visit: How to Create a Bedtime Routine That Works.
👶 4. Practice Safe Sleep Every Time
Follow the ABC rule of safe sleep:
- Alone
- Back (always place baby on their back)
- Crib (firm, flat surface with no loose blankets or pillows)
If you’re unsure whether to use a sleep sack or swaddle, explore our guide: Sleep Sack vs Swaddle: What’s the Difference?.
💤 5. Remember: Feeding, Growth Spurts, and Sleep Are Connected
During the first 12 weeks, your baby will go through growth spurts that can temporarily disrupt sleep. These are normal and often happen around 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.Be flexible during these phases — and know that waking for frequent feeds is not a sleep problem, but a healthy sign of development.
💛 Bonus Tip: Take Care of Yourself, Too
Newborn sleep is unpredictable. Try to rest when your baby naps, accept help when offered, and remember that these early weeks are temporary (even if they feel endless at 3 AM).For more support, visit our SwaddleAn Sleep Blog for gentle, parent-first sleep advice.
✨ Explore Sleep Essentials for Your Newborn:
- Swaddle Blankets
- Bamboo Sleep Sacks
- Convertible Footies & Pajamas
- Baby Bodysuits
- Bamboo Baby Blanket
