Back to guides Baby Sleep — gentle baby care guidance for new parents

Baby Sleep

Safe sleep, newborn patterns, wake windows, and simple bedtime routines.

1. Safe sleep guidelines

Place baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress with no pillows, bumpers, or loose bedding.
Room-share for at least the first 6 months, but don't bed-share on a sofa or armchair.
Keep the room smoke-free and at a comfortable temperature (around 16–20°C.
Use breathable fabrics for blankets to avoid overheating.

2. Newborn sleep patterns

Newborns sleep 14–17 hours in 24 hours, usually in 2–4 hour blocks.
Night and day confusion is normal; keep nights dark, quiet, and boring.
It's normal for sleep to be irregular until the circadian rhythm develops around 3–4 months.

3. Wake windows by age

0–6 weeks: 45–60 minutes awake between sleeps.
6 weeks–3 months: 1–1.5 hours awake.
4–6 months: 1.5–2.5 hours awake.
7–9 months: 2.5–3.5 hours awake, often with 2 naps.

4. Bedtime routine

Start a short, consistent routine 20–30 minutes before sleep: bath, feed, story, cuddle, bed.
Dim lights and reduce stimulation to help melatonin rise.
Put baby down drowsy but awake when possible to build self-settling skills.

When in doubt, ask a professional

This guide is for general information only. If you're worried about your baby's health or feeding, speak with your GP, health visitor, or paediatrician.