Newborns sleep 18 hours a day. It’s usually new parents who complain of sleep deprivation, not the babies. This is because newborns need 15–18 hours of sleep per day. The problem is that they sleep at multiple times throughout the day and night.

As their internal clock improves in the first few months, they can sleep longer at night. Newborns are awake for 45–60 minutes. Newborns can only be contentedly conscious for an hour or less. By six months, babies can stay awake for two to three hours. The little ones still have a short time. If your baby goes past their “happy awake time,” they may be tired and irritable. Sleep disturbances, stunted growth, and poor temperament can result.

To improve your baby’s sleep routine, watch the clock and their behavior. Staying awake too long in newborns is easy to overlook fatigue signals. Watch for signs of fatigue in your baby and give them plenty of rest. Sleeping more will make your child happy.

Finally, newborns sleep restlessly and loudly. Babies sleep by grunting, cooing, moaning, crying, and nursing. These sounds and movements may not indicate that the baby is awake or needs attention. Take time to observe and listen before picking up the baby. Use an anti-roll pillow and comfy clothes and booties to keep the baby safe while sleeping.

Additionally, babies don’t like sleeping alone. Babies are used to constant sound in the womb. This means many newborns may feel uncomfortable in a quiet room. However, clanging dishes, barking dogs, and TV noises can wake a sleeping baby. White noise, a low humming sound, can block household noises for parents. Since it sounds more natural and soothing, pink noise is better than white noise.

Pink noise includes heartbeats, waves, and raindrops. The noise volume should be adjusted to block sharp sounds without being too loud for the baby. Finally, babies don’t mix up days and nights; they think their parents do.

Many believe that newborn don’t know day from night because they were accustomed to a consistent environment in the womb. Actually, babies are new to day and night and may think their caregivers are confused. A baby’s internal clock adjusts to a 24-hour schedule over time. Newborns nap shorter periods during the day and night than adults. This is normal for newborn sleep and will develop over the first few months.