Newborn Baby Care: Your Ultimate Checklist - Parents
Sleep close to them · Always place your baby to sleep on their back—never on their stomach or side · Don't put anything in the bassinet except a ...
according to the AAP
Newborns generally sleep about 16 to 17 hours per day, <anchor>according to the AAP</anchor>, though each stretch might only last one or two hours. Look to your baby for their evolving schedule after about 3 months—before that, anything goes. "You don't have to be rigid," Dr. Mindell says, "but some structure helps both parents and baby. By age 9 months, most babies naturally move to napping at around 9 a.m. and 2 p.m." But don't try to force a schedule on your baby for your convenience.
Sleep - HealthyChildren.org
Sleep - HealthyChildren.org

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In This Section

[Healthy Children](/English) \> [Ages & Stages](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages) \> [Baby](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby) \> Sleep

![a close-up of a person](/style%20library/assets/landingimages/agesstages/baby-sleep.jpg)![a close-up of a person](/style%20library/assets/landingimages/agesstages/baby-sleep.jpg)

# Sleep

Article Body

Babies do not have regular sleep cycles until about 6 months of age. While newborns sleep about 16 to 17 hours per day, they may only sleep 1 or 2 hours at a time. As babies get older, they need less sleep. However, different babies have different sleep needs. It is normal for a 6-month-old to wake up during the night but go back to sleep after a few minutes.

Featured Article

![](/SiteCollectionImagesArticleImages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep2.jpg?RenditionID=3)

How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained

​No one knows exactly what causes SIDS, so there's no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS. On the other hand, we do know what causes accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. This means parents can help prevent these accidents by following AAP guidance on safe sleep. A safe sleep environment lowers the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths. Here are some ways you can help create a safe sleep environment.

[View](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx)

Articles

- [3 Tummy Time Activities to Try With Your Baby](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/The-Importance-of-Tummy-Time.aspx)
- [Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/back-to-sleep-tummy-to-play.aspx)
- [For Sleep-Deprived New Parents, These "Gifts" Can Be Priceless](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/for-sleep-deprived-new-parents-these-gifts-can-be-priceless.aspx)
- [Getting Your Baby to Sleep](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/getting-your-baby-to-sleep.aspx)
- [Good Night, Sleep Tight: How to Swaddle Your Baby](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/good-night-sleep-tight.aspx)
- [Help Your Baby Sleep Safely So You Can Sleep Soundly\
![](/_catalogs/masterpage/assets/images/icon-video.png)VIDEO](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleep-Soundly-While-Baby-Sleeps-Safe.aspx)
- [How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx)
- [Inclined Sleepers, Soft Nursing Pillows, & Other Baby Products to Avoid](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Inclined-Sleepers-and-Other-Baby-Registry-Items-to-Avoid.aspx)
- [New Crib Standards: What Parents Need to Know](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/New-Crib-Standards-What-Parents-Need-to-Know.aspx)
- [Putting Back-Sleeping Concerns to Rest](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/putting-back-sleeping-concerns-to-rest.aspx)
- [Reduce the Risk of SIDS & Suffocation](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Preventing-SIDS.aspx)
- [Reversing Day-Night Reversal](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Reversing-Day-Night-Reversal.aspx)
- [Safe Sleep Tips for Sleep-Deprived Parents](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/safe-sleep-tips-for-sleep-deprived-parents.aspx)
- [Safe Sleep: Charlie’s Story](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Safe-Sleep-Charlies-Story.aspx)
- [Sleep Apnea in Children: Detection & Treatment](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleep-Apnea-Detection.aspx)
- [Sleeping Through the Night](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleeping-Through-the-Night.aspx)
- [Stages of Newborn Sleep](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/phases-of-sleep.aspx)
- [Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Common Questions & Concerns](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleep-Position-Why-Back-is-Best.aspx)
- [Suitable Sleeping Sites: Safe at Night & Naptime](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/suitable-sleeping-sites.aspx)
- [The Truth About Home Apnea Monitors for SIDs](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Home-Apnea-Monitors-for-SIDs.aspx)
- [Waking Up Is (Sometimes) Hard to Do](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Waking-Up-Is-Sometimes-Hard-to-Do.aspx)
- [Where We Stand: Back To Sleep](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Back-To-Sleep.aspx)

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