Baby Sleep Schedule: A Guide For New Mothers

Usually, newborn babies sleep throughout the day and night and wake up at intervals only when hungry. This can make it difficult for the new parents to understand their baby's sleep. Sleeping patterns for babies are likely to change with age and differ from one child to another. Most newborns sleep for around 16 hours a day. However, as they grow, their total sleep time gradually decreases. Therefore, parents should maintain a proper sleep schedule to cultivate healthy sleep patterns in their children.

Baby’s Sleep Schedule Chart By Experts

The below chart will give parents an idea about approximately how much sleep is normal for their child. 

Note: These time durations can vary for every child.

Common Questions By New Moms About Their Baby’s Sleeping Schedule

Q1. When is the right time to get a baby on a sleep timetable?

Generally, after a newborn reaches two months of age, its internal biological clock gets more aligned and predictable. So, this may be the time to inculcate a basic sleep routine and habits. A child's naptime, sleep time, and wake time are likely to develop a pattern between three and six months. It means the child will wake up, sleep, and nap at about the same time daily. To understand when a child is ready (developmentally and physically) to get sleep training, seeking a paediatrician's advice is recommended.

Q2. What is the most trusted and workable baby sleep schedule by month?

There cannot be one single sleep schedule for every baby. While some babies are early risers, some sleep till late in the day and remain awake at night. So, it varies how much and when babies should sleep. Moreover, as a child gets older, parents can design a sleep schedule in alignment with their kids' sleep and hunger signs. 

Q. How can mothers put their newborns on a sleeping routine?

After spending over 38 weeks in the womb, a baby cannot differentiate between day and night for the first few months. So, it is hard to put a newborn on a sleep schedule initially. However, they may gradually follow a sleeping pattern after 2 months of age.

Q. How can parents understand if or not a baby is ready to sleep?

Here are some sure cues to understand when a baby is sleep-ready:

• Fussing
• Crying
• Yawning too much
• Looking away
• Rubbing eyes

By comprehending the cues of sleep readiness, parents can help their child fall asleep on its own.

Q. How to help babies fall asleep?

Most babies do not know how to fall asleep themselves. Parents can use the following techniques to help their kids with bedtime:

• Rocking the baby
• Breastfeeding
• Developing a sleep schedule
• Letting the baby sleep in the arms
• Playing soft music
• Singing lullabies

Healthy sleep habits come with a healthy baby sleep schedule. Once parents can predict their babies' natural sleeping and waking window, they can help the little ones smoothly go to sleep. If parents think that their newborn may have any sleep-related issues, they should not hesitate to see a doctor.

Consult Apollo's Expert Paediatricians

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.