Newborn Sleep: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Is My Baby’s Sleep Normal, or Am I Just Really, Really Tired?

If you’re staring at your newborn at 3 AM, wondering if their sleep patterns are normal—or if you’re just running on fumes—you’re not alone. Newborn sleep schedules can feel like an unsolvable mystery wrapped in tiny, milk-drunk cuteness. So, let’s break it down: what’s normal, what’s not, and how you can make sleep a little easier for everyone.

What’s Normal for Newborn Sleep?

1. Newborns Sleep a Lot—But Not for Long Stretches Your newborn will sleep 14–17 hours a day, but here’s the kicker: those hours are spread out into short bursts, usually 2–3 hours at a time. This is because their tiny tummies need refueling frequently.

2. They Don’t Know the Difference Between Night and Day Newborns are born with zero concept of circadian rhythm (a fancy way of saying their internal clock is out of whack). Many have their days and nights reversed, which means they want to party at 2 AM and nap at noon.

3. Grunting, Twitching, and Smiling in Sleep? Totally Normal. If your baby sounds like a tiny farm animal while sleeping, don’t panic. Newborns are active sleepers, moving through light sleep cycles that involve twitching, stretching, and even smiling.

4. They Wake Up Often—And That’s a Good Thing Frequent waking is actually protective for newborns. Their sleep cycles are short (about 50-60 minutes) compared to an adult’s, which helps regulate breathing and prevents deep sleep too early in development.

What’s Not Normal for Newborn Sleep?

1. Sleeping Through the Night in the First Few Weeks If a newborn sleeps for longer than 5-6 hours at a time in the first few weeks, it could indicate an issue with weight gain. Always check with your pediatrician or IBCLC (like me!) if your newborn is sleeping long stretches early on.

2. Snoring or Persistent Mouth Breathing Light snorting is normal, but consistent snoring, mouth breathing, or long pauses in breathing should be evaluated by a pediatrician. These could indicate nasal congestion or, in rare cases, a sleep disorder.

3. Excessive Fussiness, Arching, or Inconsolable Crying While newborns cry (a lot), extreme fussiness—especially if paired with back arching or frequent waking in distress—could point to reflux, gas discomfort, or oral restrictions like tongue tie (something I see often in my practice).

4. Sleeping Only in Your Arms, Never in a Bassinet While it’s normal for newborns to prefer being close to you (hello, fourth trimester!), if your baby refuses to sleep anywhere but in your arms, it may indicate discomfort, tension, or a need for gentle sleep adjustments.

How to Support Healthy Sleep (Without Losing Your Mind)

✔️ Follow Wake Windows: Newborns can handle being awake for 45-60 minutes max before becoming overtired. Watching sleepy cues (yawning, staring off, rubbing eyes) helps avoid a meltdown.

✔️ Use White Noise: The womb was LOUD (think vacuum cleaner-level noise). White noise mimics that environment and can be soothing.

✔️ Help Set the Circadian Rhythm: Expose baby to daylight in the morning and dim the lights in the evening to help regulate their internal clock.

✔️ Consider a Swaddle: Many babies sleep better when swaddled—but if your baby hates it, try a sleep sack instead.

✔️ Be Patient: Newborn sleep is a marathon, not a sprint. Sleep patterns evolve gradually over the first few months, so give yourself grace.

When to Seek Professional Support

If you’re struggling with infant sleep, it’s okay to ask for help. As an IBCLC and infant feeding specialist, I often see sleep issues tied to feeding challenges—whether it’s frequent waking due to ineffective latch, tongue tie, or low milk transfer affecting your baby’s sleep schedule. If you’re questioning whether feeding could be impacting sleep patterns, reach out!

Hang In There!

Newborn sleep is messy, unpredictable, and exhausting—but it’s also temporary. Your baby will eventually figure out nights and days, and you will sleep again (I promise). In the meantime, embrace the snuggles, accept the help, and remember: you’re doing an amazing job.

Need more guidance on newborn sleep and feeding? I’ve got you. Book a consult with Rooted Maternal Wellness and let’s troubleshoot together.