How Much Sleep Does A newborn Need?

The recommended range, a bedtime calculator and practical tips.

Newborn (0–3 months)14–17 hoursof sleep every 24 hours, including naps

Bedtime calculator
Wake-up time Daytime naps (hours)

Tips for better sleep at this age

Keep the same bedtime and wake time every day, including weekends.
Use a short, predictable routine: bath, pyjamas, book, lights out.
Follow your pediatrician’s safe-sleep advice for babies: on the back, in their own crib, with nothing loose in it.

These ranges are from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which draws on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and, for newborns, the National Sleep Foundation. Every child is different; ask your pediatrician if you are worried.

Questions

How much sleep does a newborn need?

14–17 hours per 24 hours including naps, according to the CDC.

What if my child sleeps less than this?

Short nights now and then are normal. If short sleep is regular, or your child is very sleepy or irritable in the day, talk to your pediatrician.