How much sleep does a baby need?
Babies sleep a lot, but not in long stretches. Newborns often sleep 14-17 hours a day, spread over many short sleeps, and the pattern slowly consolidates over the first year.
Typical sleep by age
0-3 months: roughly 14-17 hours in 24 hours, in sleeps of 2-4 hours around the clock. Day and night are not yet distinguished.
4-6 months: roughly 12-16 hours in total, with 2-3 daytime naps. Many babies start to sleep a longer stretch at night.
6-12 months: roughly 12-15 hours in total, with 2 naps a day, and most babies sleep longer stretches at night, though waking is still common.
These are averages. Healthy babies can sleep somewhat less or more, and the range is wide.
Why newborn sleep is so fragmented
A newborn's stomach is small and breast milk digests quickly, so waking to feed every few hours is normal and necessary. The body clock (circadian rhythm) only starts to develop around 2-3 months, which is why nights and days are mixed up at first.
Helping your baby find a rhythm
From a few weeks old you can help by keeping days bright and active and nights dark, quiet and calm. Use a short, consistent wind-down routine, and put your baby down drowsy but awake when it feels right. Do not expect results overnight, and remember that sleep regressions around 4 months and later are normal.
When to talk to a health nurse
Contact your health nurse or doctor if your baby is very hard to wake for feedings, sleeps far more than expected and feeds poorly, or has laboured breathing during sleep. Keeping a simple log of sleep and feedings makes these conversations easier.