Why is my newborn awake at night and sleeping in the day?
A newborn may sleep in short bursts or longer periods. Gentle light and quiet cues can mark day and night without promising longer sleep.
The short answer
Newborns have their own waking and sleeping patterns, and may wake repeatedly at night for feeds. NHS guidance suggests daylight and everyday activity during the day, then low lights and calm interaction at night. These cues don’t replace your baby's feeding plan or safe sleep guidance.
Newborn sleep is spread across day and night
The NHS says babies have their own patterns of waking and sleeping and may sleep for long periods or short bursts. Newborns wake repeatedly for feeds, including at night, and their pattern is unlikely to match another baby's.
This can make it feel as though your baby is wide awake at night and sleeping during the day. A sleep pattern alone doesn’t change whether a feed is due or whether to wake your baby. Follow the feeding advice and any wake to feed instructions from your midwife, doctor or health visitor.
Use gentle cues to distinguish daytime and nighttime
The NHS suggests opening curtains, playing and allowing ordinary household sounds during the day. At night, you can keep lights low and voices quiet, feed and change your baby as needed, and avoid playing. These cues may help your baby gradually learn the difference, but they can’t guarantee longer sleep.
These are environmental cues, not a sleep training schedule or feeding plan. Follow instructions from your care team about feeds and any need to wake your baby.
Keep feeds and safe sleep first
Whatever time your baby sleeps, follow safe sleep guidance for every sleep. The NHS says that for at least the first six months, the safest place is a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you, with your baby lying on their back.
A simple record may help caregivers remember sleep and feeds, but a log can’t check a baby’s health or set a schedule. See how often newborns may feed for a separate feeding question. BabyDays can record caregiver entered sleep times, but it doesn’t monitor a baby or advise when to wake them.
Sources and further reading
- NHS: Helping Your Baby to Sleep, reviewed 28 January 2025
- NHS: Breastfeeding in the First Few Days, reviewed 14 September 2026
- NHS: Baby Safer Sleep Advice
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.