- Newborns sleep approximately 16 to 17 hours a day, though their sleep patterns are often unpredictable in the first few weeks and will regulate over time.
- The most crucial safety guideline is always to place the baby on their back for sleep, a practice known as "safe sleep."
- Babies should sleep on a flat, firm mattress that fits snugly inside the crib with no gaps between the mattress and the sides.
- Only a fitted sheet should be used as bedding, and parents should never place loose items like blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in the crib.
- Crib bumpers are also not recommended as part of a safe sleep environment.
Safe Sleeping Practices For Your Newborn
Newborns sleep about 16 to 17 hours a day in short stretches, and while their sleep may be unpredictable at first, always follow safe sleep practices by placing them on their back in a crib with a firm, snug mattress and no loose items or bumpers.
Zoe Frolking, MD, MSPH, Pediatrics
