Newborn Sleep: What’s Normal and How to Survive the First Few Months
- Joy
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Bringing a newborn home is magical, but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. The first few months are often a blur of feeds, cuddles, and sleepless nights.
Many new parents wonder: Is my baby sleeping enough? Why do they wake up so much? Will I ever sleep again?
The good news? Everything you’re experiencing is completely normal. And yes, it does get easier.
What’s Normal for Newborn Sleep?
Newborns sleep a lot - usually 16 to 18 hours per day. Sounds like bliss, right? The catch is they sleep in short bursts of 30 minutes to 3 hours, around the clock.
Why? Because newborns don’t yet have a circadian rhythm (the internal clock that tells us it’s day or night). That’s why they wake often to feed, to be comforted, or simply because their bodies aren’t wired for long stretches.
By around 10–12 weeks, babies begin developing this biological clock, and night sleep gradually consolidates. Until then, broken sleep is the norm.
Why Do Newborns Wake So Often?
Several biological factors explain those frequent wake-ups:
Circadian rhythm still developing Babies don’t recognise night from day at birth. Exposure to daylight and dimness at night helps their body clock mature around 10–12 weeks.
Hormones at work Melatonin (the “sleepy hormone”) doesn’t kick in until around three months. Cortisol (the “awake hormone”) also fluctuates differently, making sleep patterns unpredictable.
Survival mechanism Frequent waking helps babies feed enough and may even reduce the risk of SIDS (Blair et al., 2006). From an evolutionary perspective, it’s protective — even if tough on parents.
Biological Norms vs Cultural Expectations
Cultural norms shape how we think babies “should” sleep. In some cultures, co-sleeping is the norm; in others, separate rooms are encouraged.
In Western countries, there’s a lot of pressure for babies to “sleep through the night” early but biologically, frequent waking is normal (Ball, 2020).
The key? Trust what feels right for your family, not what others say you “should” be doing.
Why This Feels So Hard (and How to Survive It)
Even knowing it’s normal, sleep deprivation is tough. Here are some survival strategies:
Sleep when your baby sleeps – cliché but helpful if you can manage even short naps.
Share responsibilities – take turns with your partner or ask for support from family and friends.
Create a calming bedtime routine – dim lights, gentle sounds, rocking. Even if it doesn’t “work” yet, it lays healthy habits for later.
Remind yourself it’s temporary – by 3–6 months, most babies sleep in longer stretches.
Final Thoughts
Newborn sleep is unpredictable, but it’s normal. Your baby isn’t broken, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Their bodies and brains are learning and so are you.
💛 Be kind to yourself. Rest when you can. Accept support when it’s offered. And know that sleepless nights won’t last forever.
👉 Curious about newborn sleep, feeding, and realistic postnatal life? We cover it all in my antenatal classes in Linlithgow, designed for families in West Lothian, Falkirk and across Central Scotland.
Ball, H. L. (2020). Evolutionary and anthropological insights into night-time infant care. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 41(5), 405-412.
Blair, P. S., Mitchell, E. A., Heckstall-Smith, E. M., & Fleming, P. J. (2006). Sleep position and SIDS: A systematic review. BMJ, 332(7556), 365-367.
Jenni, O. G., & LeBourgeois, M. K. (2006). Understanding sleep–wake behavior and sleep disorders in children: The value of a model. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 18(6), 641-647.
Rivkees, S. A. (2007). Developing circadian rhythmicity in infants. Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews, 5(1), 77-83.
The Lullaby Trust. Coping with sleep deprivation as a new parent. Link
Mindell, J. A. et al. (2016). Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene. Sleep Foundation.
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