For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our Medical & Health Disclaimer.
Month-by-month guides are useful, but they skip the thing you’re actually living through: this week versus last week. This Newborn Sleep Schedule Week by Week guide walks through weeks 1 through 12 individually, so you can check “is this normal for week 6” without wading through a whole trimester. Want the bigger-picture version instead? See our Newborn Sleep Schedule by Age guide.
Quick Answer
Week-to-week change is gradual, not dramatic — most weeks look almost identical to the one before. The real shifts cluster around weeks 6, 9, and 12, when naps and night stretches noticeably reorganize.
Newborn Sleep Schedule Week by Week Breakdown
Week 1 — Total sleep 16–18 hrs. Longest stretch: 2 hrs. Naps: constant, no pattern. Note: feeding every 2–3 hrs drives everything; expect zero day/night distinction.
Week 2 — Total sleep 16–17 hrs. Longest stretch: 2–3 hrs. Naps: constant. Note: cluster feeding in the evening is common and normal.
Week 3 — Total sleep 15–17 hrs. Longest stretch: 3 hrs. Naps: still irregular. Note: a common growth-spurt week — expect extra feeds and fussier evenings.
Week 4 — Total sleep 15–16 hrs. Longest stretch: 3–4 hrs. Naps: still irregular. Note: some babies show the first flicker of a bedtime pattern here.
Week 5 — Total sleep 14–16 hrs. Longest stretch: 3–4 hrs. Naps: 4–6 short naps. Note: awake periods start lasting a bit longer between feeds.
Week 6 — Total sleep 14–16 hrs. Longest stretch: 4–5 hrs. Naps: 4–5. Note: a common turning point — many parents report the first noticeably longer night stretch this week.
Week 7 — Total sleep 14–16 hrs. Longest stretch: 4–5 hrs. Naps: 4–5. Note: social smiling often begins around now, alongside slightly more alert wake windows.
Week 8 — Total sleep 14–15 hrs. Longest stretch: 4–5 hrs. Naps: 4. Note: another common growth-spurt week; a temporary dip in stretch length is normal.
Week 9 — Total sleep 14–15 hrs. Longest stretch: 4–6 hrs. Naps: 3–4. Note: naps start looking more scheduled instead of purely feed-driven.
Week 10 — Total sleep 14–15 hrs. Longest stretch: 5–6 hrs. Naps: 3–4. Note: wake windows stretch to roughly 75–90 minutes.
Week 11 — Total sleep 13–15 hrs. Longest stretch: 5–6 hrs. Naps: 3–4. Note: a short, predictable morning nap often becomes the most consistent nap of the day.
Week 12 — Total sleep 13–15 hrs. Longest stretch: 5–7 hrs. Naps: 3–4. Note: many families feel like they’ve “found a rhythm” — though the four-month shift is right around the corner.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, these ranges are broad averages, and healthy babies vary widely within them week to week.
Wake Windows by Week (Quick Reference)
| Weeks | Typical Wake Window |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | 45–60 min |
| 5–8 | 60–75 min |
| 9–12 | 75–90 min |
Full detail and what to do when your baby fights this pattern: Newborn Wake Windows by Age.
Signs a Week Is Going “Off Script”
Growth spurts (commonly weeks 3, 6, and 9) and illness can temporarily undo a week’s progress. That’s not a regression — it’s normal and usually resolves within a few days. A genuine, lasting shift is more likely the 4-Month Sleep Regression, which sits just past this window.
What This Guide Doesn’t Cover
This page tracks typical sleep totals and timing — not troubleshooting. If your baby won’t settle, only sleeps held, or wakes constantly, our guides on Newborn Won’t Sleep at Night and Why Does My Newborn Only Sleep When Held go deeper into those specific problems.
FAQ
Why did my baby sleep worse this week than last week? Almost always a growth spurt, developmental leap, or minor illness — not a lasting setback. Sleep usually rebounds within 3–5 days.
Which week should I expect the first long night stretch? Most commonly weeks 6–9, though anywhere from week 4 to week 12 is within normal range.
Related Sleep Guides
- Baby Sleep Guide — the full hub for schedules, regressions, and safe sleep
- Newborn Sleep Schedule by Age
- Newborn Wake Windows by Age
- Newborn Nap Schedule
- Safe Sleep for Newborns
Sources:
- National Sleep Foundation, Infant and Toddler Sleep guidelines
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, Infant Sleep guidance
Written by Fran & Fabio, founders of New Mom Choice. Fran is a dentist. Fabio is a retired agricultural pilot. Together, they research and fact-check every guide on this site against trusted medical sources — including the AAP and WHO — before it goes live.