Sleeping and feeding times for newborns

Newborns sleep a lot, but not for long stretches like older children or adults.

In the first few weeks, your baby might:

wake as often as every 40 minutes
need feeding every 2 to 3 hours overnight

This frequent waking is completely normal. Most newborns do not sleep through the night, and every baby’s sleep pattern is different. Try not to worry too much about what’s “normal.”

Some babies settle more easily in a sleep space that feels similar to the womb. You can help by:

placing them in a cot or bassinet close to you, where they can smell and hear you
gently wrapping them in a swaddle so they feel safe and secure
using soft white noise to mimic the sounds they heard before birth

Around 3 months of age, many babies start staying awake longer during the day and sleeping for longer at night.

It can take a bit of trial and error to find what works best for your baby as they grow and develop- and that’s completely normal.

See Development in babies (0-12 months) for more information on what to expect in the first year.

Settling strategies

As a new parent, helping your baby fall asleep can sometimes be tricky and that’s completely normal. Babies all settle in different ways. It might take a bit of time to figure out what works best for yours.

Try some of these gentle settling techniques:

gently rock or sway your baby
play soft music or calming white noise
take them for a short car ride
go for a walk with your baby in the pram
use a baby carrier or sling to keep them close and comforted
give them a warm bath to help them relax

Be patient with yourself and your baby. It might take a few tries to find what works, and that’s okay.

See Parent and carer wellbeing for more information on coping strategies.

Changes in your baby’s sleep routine

Sometimes your baby’s sleep might suddenly become more disrupted. They might wake more often at night or sleep for shorter periods. Just when you think you’ve worked out a routine, things can change again.

These changes are a normal part of your baby’s growth and development. They often happen during times like:

teething
changes to nap routines
rapid growth periods
sickness or illness

When this happens, focus on your baby’s individual needs and keep their sleep environment calm and consistent. A predictable routine and soothing space can help reduce sleep disruptions during these tricky stages.

Using a dummy or pacifier

Using a dummy or pacifier is a personal choice. Some babies find them soothing, while others do not. In some cases, like premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), dummies might be suggested.

For full-term breastfed babies, wait until around 4–6 weeks before introducing a dummy to avoid confusion with feeding cues.

If your baby uses a dummy for sleep:

Offer it when settling.
Let it fall out naturally - do not replace it.
Plan to phase it out between 6 and 12 months.

Use a dummy alongside other settling techniques. Do not use it to delay feeds.

Dummies can increase the risk of ear infections, thrush, and glue ear. Always keep them clean:

Under 6 months: sterilise before each use and if dropped.
Over 6 months: wash with hot, soapy water and rinse well.

Feeding times

Breastfeeding (also called nursing) takes time for both you and your baby to get used to and that’s completely normal. In the early weeks, each feed might take around 20 minutes, but as your baby grows, they’ll usually feed faster and more efficiently.

How long a feed takes can depend on things like:

when your milk supply increases (usually 2–5 days after birth)
how quickly your milk flows
how well your baby latches
how focused they are while feeding

Newborns often feed about 12 times a day in the first month, usually every 1.5 to 3 hours. As your baby gets older, feeds often become less frequent and more predictable. By around 2 months, many babies feed about 8 times a day.

See Infant and baby nutrition for more information on breastfeeding. 