Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, but not in one stretch. In the first months babies wake every 2 to 4 hours to feed, and the difference between day and night hasn't settled yet. With such scattered sleep it's hard to guess how much your baby really sleeps. Sometimes you think they barely slept, when the short naps actually add up to a normal amount for their age.
As the months go by, night sleep gets longer and naps fall into a pattern. Between 4 and 12 months, total daily sleep including naps is usually 12 to 16 hours. A log helps you see this change, learn when your baby gets tired and build a routine around it. When your doctor asks about sleep at a checkup, you have real data to show.
Safe sleep matters as much as sleep length. Put your baby down on their back for every sleep, on a flat, firm mattress. Keep pillows, blankets, toys and soft bumpers out of the crib. For the first months, it's recommended that your baby sleeps in your room but in their own crib or bassinet. Stop swaddling once your baby starts to roll. Reminding yourself of these rules at every sleep is a good habit while you track.
What you can do
- Start the sleep timer and stop it with one tap when your baby wakes.
- Log and total naps and night sleep separately.
- See total daily sleep against a goal ring.
- A sleep timeline shows what hours of the day your baby slept.
- Add a sleep you forgot by hand with start and end times.
- Get a warning for overlapping entries or entries over 24 hours.
How to use it
- When your baby falls asleep, choose nap or night and tap Start.
- When they wake, tap Sleep Ended to save the duration.
- Enter a missed sleep with Add manually and its times.
- Check the day's total and the timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should a newborn sleep?
Newborns usually sleep 14 to 17 hours in 24 hours. This sleep comes in 2 to 4 hour chunks rather than all at once, because babies wake often to feed. Some babies sleep a bit less or a bit more than this range. A newborn who is too sleepy to wake for feeds is not normal, though, and you should talk to your doctor.
When do babies start sleeping through the night?
Every baby has their own pace. Many babies start sleeping longer stretches at night between 3 and 6 months, but night waking is normal throughout the first year. Breastfed babies may need night feeds for longer. A consistent bedtime routine, a dark and quiet room, and making the difference between day and night clear all support this process.
How do I get my baby on a sleep schedule?
A short routine repeated in the same order every evening works well: bath, pajamas, feed, lullaby and a dark room. Keep the curtains open during the day and dim light and sound at night. Watch for tired cues such as yawning and eye rubbing, and try to put your baby down before they get overtired. In the first months, following your baby's needs is more realistic than a strict schedule.
What position should a baby sleep in?
Your baby should be put down on their back for every sleep, day and night. The mattress should be flat and firm, with no pillows, blankets, toys or soft bumpers. Stop swaddling once your baby starts rolling over on their own. In the first months, having your baby sleep in your room but in their own crib or bassinet lowers the risk of SIDS.