Newborn Sleep and Feeding Schedule [Ultimate Guide]

Bringing home your baby is a beautiful, oh-so-sweet adventure full of new experiences. As parents, you want to ensure your baby has the best start in life and all their needs are met. 

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about newborn sleep and feeding, offering peace of mind as you navigate those early days and nights.

Expect your newborn to sleep a lot—typically 14–17 hours in a 24-hour period. Their sleep is scattered in short bursts throughout the day and night, with sleep windows ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Your little bub will continue this pattern through the night, waking every few hours to eat. 

While 14 or more hours of sleep sounds like a lot of rest, remember that your baby is growing rapidly, and their body needs this time to develop and recharge.

Newborn sleep is critical for brain development, growth, and overall well-being. Every moment your baby sleeps, their body is busy building the foundation for a healthy future. Sleep helps process all the new stimuli they’re absorbing and is essential for learning. So, while it may seem like your newborn is always asleep, that quiet time is actually incredibly active and restorative for them.

Newborns have difficulty distinguishing day and night; a nighttime routine can help differentiate daytime naps and nighttime rest. A routine before bed can also be a nice bonding moment for you and your little one. A simple, repetitive routine builds predictability and comforts your baby—they will start to recognize this routine as early as eight weeks.

Establishing a soothing newborn sleep routine can help your little one feel calm and secure before bedtime. These eventually start signalling to your little love that it's nighttime, and you'll soon place them in their crib or bassinet. 

Gentle activities like a warm bath, a short massage, soft lullabies, and dim lighting create a relaxing atmosphere, offering cues to your baby that it's time to rest. And don’t forget dressing your baby properly for sleep. Wrapping them lovingly in a cozy sleeper or newborn sleep bag helps them feel snuggled, giving them a safe feeling as they drift off.

While newborn sleep schedules can be unpredictable, aiming for a consistent bedtime around 7:00–8:00pm can set a healthy routine over time. However, to appropriately set your expectations in the early days, remember that newborn babies tend to be on their own schedule. Just because you put them to bed at this time doesn’t mean they’ll drift off to sleep.

Since newborns still wake up frequently for feedings, the focus should be on consistency rather than an exact time. Follow your baby’s cues, adjusting the schedule to what works best for them.

Newborns can sleep just about anywhere, provided it's safe. Whether it's a bassinet, crib, or your arms, keeping the space calm and protected ensures your baby gets the best quality rest during the day.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns should always sleep on their backs on a separate, flat, and firm surface without any loose bedding, bumpers, or soft objects like pillows. Sometimes, snuggling is the only way to help your little one drift off, or perhaps you become nap-trapped. If your baby is napping while being held, you must stay awake and watch them closely. 

It's all about creating a peaceful, safe space for their daytime naps while ensuring they feel loved and comforted.

While wanting structure is natural, a strict newborn schedule is often unrealistic. Babies aren’t bound by the clock—the timing behind their needs changes daily. Attempting to stick to a rigid routine can leave you feeling overwhelmed or like you’re not doing enough when in reality, newborns simply don’t follow predictable patterns (and keep in mind that sleep regressions are always around the corner).

Instead of striving for a strict schedule, tune into your baby’s natural rhythms. Be flexible and responsive to their cues, adjusting as needed. This approach fosters a more harmonious routine, offering comfort and peace of mind as you navigate the early weeks.

(Learn more about baby bedtime routines here.)

Though your baby’s too young to be on a schedule, some parents find it helpful to have examples of sleep and feeding times. Keep in mind that newborns will seldom wake at the same time each day, nap lengths vary, and babies will only want to eat if they’re actually hungry—forcing naps or food will just lead to frustration for you both.  

Below are some examples of what a newborn's day might look like in their first week, first month, and third month. These schedules provide flexible guidelines but always adjust based on your baby’s unique needs. Feeding and sleeping might look different each day and you may need to wake your little bub up to feed them.

Although it may seem like a dream come true when your baby sleeps for longer stretches, newborns need frequent feedings. A newborn should not sleep longer than three hours without a feeding in the first few weeks—so you may need to wake them to get some food in their little tummy. Regular feeding every few hours ensures your little bub receives enough nourishment, especially during growth spurts.

It’s normal for newborns to have restless nights, but creating a peaceful, calming environment can encourage sleep. If your baby resists sleep, check for common issues like hunger, discomfort, or overstimulation. Swaddling, white noise, and gentle rocking can also soothe your baby back to sleep.

Your newborn typically needs to feed every 2-3 hours, around the clock. Their tiny tummies need frequent refuelling, especially in the first few weeks. As your little love grows, they can take more at each feeding.

(Find tips on breastfeeding/chestfeeding for new parents here).

Since your little one needs to eat every 2–3 hours, this frequency adds up to about 8–12 feedings a day.  

As always, follow your baby's lead with their food needs, and feed them on demand to ensure they get the food they need when they’re hungry. If you are concerned that they are eating too much or too little, speak with your pediatrician for their expert advice.

Below is an approximation of how often to feed your little one.

Newborns often give subtle signs when they’re hungry, known as hunger cues. These include:

• Rooting (turning their head and opening their mouth)
• Sucking on their hands or fingers
• Smacking their lips
• Increased fussiness
• Crying (this is a late-stage hunger cue)

Paying attention to these signals can help you establish a responsive feeding schedule.

Adjusting to your newborn's sleep and feeding rhythms can feel overwhelming, but remember you know your baby best. Being flexible and understanding your newborn's sleep and nourishment needs, you create a loving environment for their growth and development. Embrace these sweet moments of cuddling, feeding, and soothing your little one, knowing that these foundational practices lay the groundwork for healthy habits as they grow. 

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