Newborn Schedule 101: A Simple Guide to Routine That Work

You brought home your longed-for baby and now you’re trying to figure out how to create your little one sleep schedule. You’re not alone! 

The first six weeks are full of challenges, adjustments and finding a rhythm together. Don’t worry, everything will settle down over time. Let’s talk about what you can do to make baby’s six-week sleep schedule as restful as possible.

Why is regular sleep so important?

Sleep is absolutely crucial for newborns. It helps you little one to grow, regenerate and develop their brains properly. During sleep, the baby processes new stimuli and stores the experience gained. That is why it is important to create conditions that support its natural rhythm.

What affects the baby’s sleeping pattern in puerperium?

In the first weeks of life, newborns sleep most of the day – usually 16-18 hours – but their sleep is divided into shorter cycles. They don’t yet distinguish between day and night, so they can wake up at any time of the day or night. This is perfectly normal.

The main factors that affect the sleep of a newborn include:

• Hunger – Babies often wake up hungry and require feeding every 2-3 hours.
• Discomfort – A wet diaper, too warm or cold can disturb a baby from sleep.
• Parental closeness – Newborns need physical contact. Rocking, cuddling or sleeping on mom’s body soothes them.

What can a baby’s  newborn schedule look like at puerperium?

Morning wake-up call

Every baby has its own rhythm, so the day can start at 6:00 or even 9:00. If your baby wakes up very early, try to nurse him or her back to sleep.

Morning

Every baby has its own rhythm, so the day can start at 6:00 or even 9:00. If your baby wakes up very early, try to nurse him or her back to sleep.

Morning activity and first nap

Waking up is followed by changing, a short tummy time and breastfeeding. During this period, the baby is usually awake for 30-50 minutes. Then comes the first sleep, which can last 2-4 hours.

💡You can start placing your baby on your tummy right from birth, but only for short periods and always under supervision. 🍼✨ How to do it? 👶 First attempts – Lay baby on your tummy on a soft pad or on your chest, ideally during waking moments. 🕰 How long? – Start with a few seconds to a minute a few times a day and gradually increase as baby adjusts. 💪 Why is this important? – It strengthens neck and back muscles, helps with motor development and prevents head flattening. 📌 TIP: If baby resists, try motivating him with a favourite toy, singing or gentle talking.

During the day

The newborn alternates between waking for feeding, changing and cuddling. Usually your little one will go through 5-6 sleep cycles during the day.

Evening rituals

Slowly introduce a regular ritual in the evening – changing, bath, massage, breastfeeding, and quietly falling asleep. Don’t rush into any strict rules, baby will gradually get used to a certain rhythm.

Sample newborn schedule in the first sixth week

💡Here is a sample sleep schedule for a one-month-old baby who wakes up at 6:45:

Naps	Nap Time Interval	Nap Time Duration	Awake Time Duration
Nap 1	7:30 am – 8:45 am	1 hour 15 minutes	45 minutes morning wake
Nap 2	9:45 am – 11:00 am	1 hour 15 minutes	1 hour after 1st nap
Nap 3	12:15 pm – 1:15 pm	1 hour	1 hour 15 minutes after 2nd nap
Nap 4	2:30 pm – 4:00 pm	1 hour 30 minutes	1 hour 15 mins after 3rd nap
Nap  5	5:15 pm – 5:45 pm	30 minutes	1 hour 15 minutes after 4th nap
Nap 6	7:00 pm – 7:30 pm	30 minutes	1 hour 15 minutes after 5th nap
Ready for bed	8:30 pm	–	1 hour after 6th nap
Asleep	9:00 pm	–	Wake every 2-3 hours to feed

Many babies get used to a daytime sleep schedule where they nap 1-4 times during the day. Then at night, they sleep late after a night feeding.

How to encourage better sleep in a newborn?

• Establish a routine – Even if the baby is small, regularity will help him feel secure.
• Separate between day and night – Let natural light into the room during the day, don’t leave the home completely silent. At night, on the other hand, dim the lights and minimise noise.
• Breastfeeding at bedtime – It helps baby calm down and fall asleep more easily.
• Safe co-sleeping – If you share a bed with your baby, take precautions – no pillows or blankets near him or her.
• Use white noise – Mimics the sounds baby was used to from the womb and helps him fall asleep better.

💡Want to better understand your baby’s sleeping pattern?  The Activity Log – Sleep Monitoring feature in Annie Baby Monitor can help you discover when and how long your baby sleeps. Regularly recording sleep cycles allows you to better estimate the ideal time to put your baby to sleep and adjust your daily routine to ensure baby gets the rest they need.

Conclusion

Do not worry if your newborn does not follow any general formulas. Every baby is individual and some babies need more time to develop a more stable sleep pattern. Don’t forget your own rest – you need to recharge too.

Trust yourself and be patient. A baby’s six-week sleep schedule is a transitional period that will gradually settle down. And remember – you’re not alone in this.