Swaddle
Wake up 
Nap until 8:45 am (45 min) 
Bedtime Newborn sample schedule
Here is one example day for a newborn who wakes at 7:00 am. It uses age-typical wake windows of about 55 min, a little shorter in the morning and a little longer before bed, and naps of about 45 min, with a shorter last nap.
| Time | What | Awake before |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake up for the day | - |
| 7:55 am - 8:45 am | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 9:40 am - 10:25 am | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 11:25 am - 12:10 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 1:05 pm - 1:55 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 2:50 pm - 3:35 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 4:30 pm - 5:20 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 8:00 pm - 8:45 pm | Nap (45 min) | 55 min |
| 9:45 pm | Bedtime | 1 h |
That is about 6 h 15 min of day sleep. Wake earlier or later and everything shifts with it: use the schedule maker below to set your own wake-up time.
Most newborns sleep somewhere between 14 and 17 hours in 24, but it comes in pieces of one to four hours, day and night alike. Their body clock has not started yet: the hormone that makes adults sleepy at night (melatonin) only starts to follow a day-night rhythm over the first few months.
A good first goal is not a schedule but a rhythm: feed when they wake, a short awake time, then sleep again. If a feed and a diaper change already use up most of a 45-minute wake window, that is a normal newborn day.
Help them tell day from night
- Daytime: open the curtains, keep normal household noise, and feed in a bright room.
- Night: keep the room dark and boring. Change diapers only when needed, use a dim light, and keep talking to a whisper.
- Get outside in daylight if you can. Morning light helps everyone's body clock, yours included.
Feeding comes first
Breastfed newborns usually feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. In the first weeks, and until your baby is back to birth weight, pediatricians often advise waking a sleepy baby to feed if it has been more than about 4 hours. Ask your pediatrician what is right for your baby, especially if they were born early or small.
Safe sleep, every sleep
On their back, on a firm, flat surface, with nothing else in the crib or bassinet: no pillows, bumpers, blankets or toys. Room-sharing (not bed-sharing) is recommended for at least the first 6 months.
Wake windows at 0-6 weeks
A wake window is the time your baby is awake between one sleep and the next. At 0-6 weeks it is usually 35 min to 1 h. Most babies manage the shortest window in the morning and the longest before bedtime, as sleep pressure builds through the day. If your baby fights sleep and only drops off after a long time, the window may be too short. If they melt down before naps, it may be too long. See all ages on our wake windows by age chart.
How much sleep does a newborn need?
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 14 to 17 hours in 24 hours at this age, including naps. Some healthy babies sleep a bit more or less. Watch your baby rather than the number: a baby who is mostly content when awake, and feeding and growing well, is usually getting enough sleep.
Safe sleep: every sleep on the back, on a firm, flat surface, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys. Share a room, not a bed, for at least the first 6 months.