Should I track my newborn's sleep?
A short sleep log can help with a caregiver handoff, but it is optional and cannot assess sleep safety or predict a newborn's next nap.
The short answer
You can track sleep if a short record helps you remember a handoff or what happened during the day. It is optional. A log records what someone enters; it does not measure sleep stages, predict a newborn's next nap or tell you whether a sleep space is safe.
Decide what you want the note to do
When caring shifts between adults, a start and end time can help the next person know when the baby was put down and when they woke. You might also want a brief record for your own memory. If no one needs that information, there is no requirement to log each sleep period.
A newborn's day can be hard to summarize. One missed start or stop time makes a log incomplete, so treat it as a note of what you observed rather than a perfect record. Keep only the details that are useful to your household.
Do not turn a log into a sleep schedule
A record can show what you entered over time, but it cannot tell you when a newborn should sleep, how long a nap should last or why a baby woke. Do not use a pattern in the app as a reason to delay a feed or ignore your baby's cues or care plan.
If tracking makes you anxious or takes attention away from the care you want to give, stop, take a break or record fewer details. Your baby's care does not depend on keeping an app up to date.
A sleep log is not a safety monitor
A log only contains the information entered by a caregiver. It cannot detect breathing problems, measure sleep stages or confirm that a sleep environment is safe. Consumer monitors are not a replacement for safe sleep practices.
For families in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises placing babies on their backs for sleep on a firm, flat surface without soft objects or loose bedding. Read the current guidance and follow your local health authority and baby's clinician for individual advice.
Use BabyDays only if the record helps
BabyDays can record a sleep period alongside feeds, diapers and other care entries, and caregivers can share a timeline if they choose. You can log sleep alone or leave it out altogether.
If feed handoffs are more useful to your family, read how to share a newborn care log. For the broader question of whether an app is useful, see do I need a newborn tracking app?.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics guide to safe sleep
- American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep tips for sleep-deprived parents
Sources checked 11 October 2026. This page is not a substitute for individual medical advice.