Newborn Sleep: How Much Does Your Baby Need?
AAP guidelines recommend 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours for a newborn — 8.5h at night and 7.5h across 4 naps.
Total Sleep
16h
per 24 hours
Nighttime
8.5h
at night
Naps
7.5h
4 naps/day
Frequently asked questions
How much sleep does a newborn need?▾
A newborn needs approximately 16 hours per 24 hours — 8.5h at night and 7.5h across 4 daytime naps (AAP guidelines).
How many naps should a newborn take?▾
A newborn typically takes 4 naps per day for about 7.5 hours of daytime sleep.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough sleep?▾
Signs of adequate sleep: waking naturally (not crying), good mood during wake windows, normal weight gain, age-appropriate alertness. Overtiredness shows as fussiness, difficulty settling, and early waking.