Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day but not in long stretches. They wake every 2 to 3 hours to feed, which means you wake every 2 to 3 hours too. This is completely normal and will change.
Month 1: Survival Mode
In the first month, do not try to enforce a schedule. Your baby's stomach is tiny and needs frequent feeds. Focus on feeding on demand every 2 to 3 hours for breastfed babies.
Month 2: Gentle Patterns
By week 6 to 8, you will start noticing natural patterns. Most babies have one slightly longer stretch at night, often 3 to 4 hours. Keep days bright and stimulating, nights dark and quiet.
Month 3: First Routines
Around 10 to 12 weeks, you can introduce a simple bedtime routine: bath, feed, song, sleep. Consistency matters more than timing at this stage.
Safe Sleep Rules
Always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface. No pillows, no loose bedding, no bumper pads. Room temperature should be 22 to 24 degrees Celsius.