How much sleep does a newborn need?
Newborn sleep often comes in short stretches. A daily total is a broad estimate, not a schedule or goal.
The short answer
The American Academy of Pediatrics says newborns may sleep about 16 to 17 hours in a day, often in stretches of only one or two hours. Sleep needs differ between babies, and the figure isn’t a target to enforce.
Sleep may come in short stretches
The American Academy of Pediatrics describes newborns as sleeping about 16 to 17 hours per day, but often for only one or two hours at a time. Babies differ, and sleep patterns change as they grow.
That daily estimate isn’t a goal that every newborn must reach. A log can help you remember when your baby slept, but it can’t check whether your baby is healthy or tell you to change feeds.
Follow your baby’s care plan
Newborns wake for feeds and care. If your midwife or doctor has given you instructions about waking your baby, follow those instead of using a sleep total or app suggestion. Ask when to review the plan as feeding and weight checks change.
If your baby is unusually difficult to wake, is feeding less than advised or seems unwell, contact your care team. Use your local service’s urgent advice if you’re worried about a sudden change.
Keep sleep records simple
Some caregivers find a short record useful for handoffs. Others prefer not to track sleep. Choose a level of detail that helps your household without turning a normal variation into a score or target.
BabyDays records caregiver entered sleep times. It doesn’t monitor a baby, set a schedule or check safe sleep. For the separate question of whether to log sleep, see should I track my newborn’s sleep?.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on baby sleep
- American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidance
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.