Creating a Newborn Sleep Schedule (That Actually Works!)

Is there really such a thing as a newborn schedule? As a newborn mom myself, I wondered the same thing. After all, everyone tells you that newborns just eat and sleep, so why bother with a baby routine at all?

I’ll tell you why.

Because one of the best newborn tips I learned is that babies actually thrive on predictable schedules and routines.

Sure, your baby sleep schedule needs to be flexible in those early weeks – but trust me, establishing a basic baby routine is one of the smartest newborn baby tips you’ll ever follow, even from day one.

In this guide, I’m breaking down the perfect newborn schedule week-by-week for those first 6 weeks, plus sharing the baby life hacks that saved my sanity along the way.

A Week-by-Week Guide

Week 1: Getting Started

Your first week of implementing any kind of newborn schedule will mostly revolve around feeding and sleeping. Expect your little one to sleep a whopping 17-18 hours in a 24-hour period.

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Newborn Schedule: Week 1

Your newborn sleep schedule during this first week will be largely based on hunger cues, not the clock. If you’re breastfeeding, expect your baby to eat more frequently than formula-fed babies since breast milk digests faster.

Learn these early hunger signs to make your baby routine easier:

• Lip-smacking
• Rooting (turning head toward nipple)
• Sucking motions
• Hands moving to mouth

Pro Baby Life Hack: Don’t wait for crying! It’s much easier to feed your little one when you catch those early hunger cues.

A key newborn baby tip? Keep baby awake during feeds to ensure they get a full meal. Try these tricks:

• Gentle cheek strokes
• Light foot taps
• Unwrapping their swaddle
• Regular burping breaks

Here’s what your first week might look like:

10:15 pm: Lights out for all

8:00 am: Awake for the day, feed, burp, play

8:45 am: Down for first nap

10:15 am: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

11:00 am: Down for second nap

12:30 pm: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

1:15 pm: Down for third nap

2:45 pm: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

3:45 pm: Down for fourth nap

5:15 pm: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

6:00 pm: Down for fifth nap

7:00 pm: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

8:30 pm: Down for last nap of the day

9:15 pm: Wake Up from nap, feed, burp, play

Important Notes for Your Week 1 Baby Routine:

• Expect 30-45 minute wake windows
• Embrace contact naps – these newborn snuggles are precious!
• Breastfed babies: Feed on demand
• Formula-fed babies: Usually every 3 hours, 8-12 feeds daily

Newborn Mom Truth: Those night wakings every 2-3 hours are completely normal. Don’t worry – better sleep is coming! Most babies start longer sleep stretches around four weeks. Until then, here’s a crucial newborn tip: rest when your baby rests. Your own sleep needs to be a priority!

Related: 10 Crucial Baby Sleep Safety Tips

Week 2: Understanding Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule

Your newborn schedule in week two stays similar to week one, but with one big change: welcome to cluster feeding! This usually hits around day 10 during a growth spurt.

What’s Cluster Feeding? Baby Life Hack:
When your newborn wants to feed continuously for several hours (usually in the evening), don’t fight it! Set up a comfy feeding station with:

• Water
• Healthy snacks
• Phone charger
• Netflix remote!

New Additions to Your Baby Routine:
This is the perfect time to introduce tummy time into your newborn schedule:

• Start with 30-60 seconds
• Aim for 2-3 sessions daily
• Build up to 5 minutes by 2 months

Week 3: Mastering Your Baby Schedule

By week three, your newborn sleep schedule might face a new challenge – your baby is becoming more alert and interested in the world! Unfortunately for tired newborn moms, this alertness often peaks at night.

Baby Life Hack for Day/Night Confusion:
If your little one takes marathon naps during the day but parties all night, try these newborn tips to reset their internal clock:

• Morning Wake-Up Routine:
  Make mornings obvious! Open those curtains, turn on lights, and let normal household sounds happen. This helps set your baby’s internal clock and establish a consistent baby routine.
• Daytime Nap Strategy:
  Here’s a game-changing newborn baby tip – skip the blackout curtains for daytime naps. Let your baby nap in natural light instead.

Key Changes in Your Baby Routine at 3 Weeks:

• Total sleep decreases to about 16 hours daily
• Wake windows extend slightly
• More alert periods for interaction
• Perfect time to establish a consistent feeding pattern

Week 4: Navigating Development Leaps

Your newborn schedule might hit some bumps this week as your baby experiences their first major developmental leap. Don’t worry – this is completely normal in your baby sleep schedule!

Newborn Mom Alert: The “Witching Hour”
That evening fussiness from 5 PM to bedtime? You’re not alone! Try these baby life hacks to survive:

• Wear baby in a carrier
• Offer cluster feeds
• Use white noise
• Try a warm bath
• Keep your swaddle game strong

Week 5: Fine-Tuning Your Baby Schedule

By week five, most newborn sleep schedules average 15-16 hours daily. Here’s a key newborn tip: watch for the startle reflex affecting naps!

Baby Life Hacks for Better Sleep:

• Master the swaddle – it’s a game-changer
• Learn your baby’s tired cues
• Stick to age-appropriate wake windows
• Don’t exceed 60-minute wake times

Week 6: Creating a Consistent Baby Routine

Congratulations! By six weeks, many newborn moms start feeling more human again. Your baby sleep schedule is probably showing more predictable patterns, making it the perfect time to establish a firmer baby routine.

Game-Changing Newborn Tips for Week 6:

• Introduce a dream feed
• Extend wake windows to 75 minutes
• Establish a consistent bedtime routine
• Start practicing some bassinet naps

FAQ for Newborn Moms:

When should I start a baby routine?
While strict schedules aren’t recommended before 6 weeks, you can start building predictable patterns as early as 2 weeks. Start with a simple bedtime routine: bath, massage, feeding, and cuddles.

Contact Naps vs. Bassinet: What’s Best?
For the first few weeks, those contact naps are perfectly fine! Around 6 weeks, start introducing one bassinet nap daily. Baby life hack: Start with the first morning nap – it’s usually the easiest!

Should I Wake Baby to Feed?
One of the most important newborn baby tips: Don’t let daytime naps go longer than 3 hours without feeding. This helps prevent frequent night wakings and supports your baby sleep schedule.

Every baby is different, and your newborn schedule should flex to fit your family’s needs. These guidelines are just a starting point – you’ll find your rhythm as you get to know your little one better!