2 week old sleep schedule: Bedtime and nap schedule
Updated Sep 30, 2024
At 2 weeks, you’re probably already beginning to wonder if you’re doing everything “right” because your little one’s sleep is all over the map. We’re here to reassure you that, yes, this is very much expected newborn sleep behavior. It’s hard work being a newborn and it’s normal to see short and long periods of sleep over 24 hours. We won’t expect much predictability when it comes to sleep until after they reach 3 - 4 months old.
In this article, we’ll give you tips for knowing when your 2 week old may need to sleep again, help you understand how long your little one may stay awake at a time, and provide answers to frequently asked newborn sleep questions.
Editor's Note
The recommendations listed in this article represent the average amount of sleep typically needed at this age. However, please note there is a wide range of normal as some children have lower or higher sleep needs. Also note for children who were born early, we go by their adjusted age for sleep development.
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How much should a 2 week old sleep?
Newborns sleep a lot in the first few weeks and months of life. We hope to see around 15.5 hours of sleep at around 2 weeks old, but it’s not uncommon for babies to sleep more or less than this. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborns sleep around 16 - 17 hours per day []. That said, the frequency and duration of sleep stretches at this age are still highly variable. Some stretches of sleep may be 30 minutes while others may be 2 hours — both are normal at 2 weeks.
Babies typically don’t have typical 24-hour cycles of eating and sleeping until closer to . Even then, we don’t recommend putting your baby on a “by the clock” sleep schedule until or older, when their circadian rhythm becomes more developed.
At this age, you may expect that your child can comfortably stay awake for around 30 - 90 minutes. It probably seems like all you have time to do is feed your little one, change their diaper, and do a little tummy time before they’re ready to snooze again. This is normal newborn behavior — rest assured you’re doing everything “right.” Babies at this age are still adjusting to life outside of the womb and it’s exhausting work!
Keep in mind that these recommendations are estimates — there’s a range of what’s normal and healthy when it comes to baby sleep. Instead of only focusing on the number of hours your baby sleeps, we recommend keeping an eye on their mood and energy levels each day. Their overall demeanor can be a great way to gauge if they’re getting enough rest.
Here's a quick overview of what you may expect when it comes to 2 week olds and sleep. Note that these figures are averages and should be used as guidelines.
| Average total sleep | 16 - 17 hours |
| Number of naps | Varies |
| Goal daytime sleep | Varies |
| Wake windows | 30 - 90 mins |
Sample schedule for 2 week olds
At 2 weeks, your little one's "schedule" will likely still be unpredictable. Sleep times and durations will vary and this is normal! Here's what a day in the life of a 2 week old newborn may look like:
Top sleep tip for 2 week olds
We recommend following an on-demand feeding schedule (also called responsive feeding []) for your little one, whether they’re bottle-fed or breastfed. It can be hard for hungry babies to sleep so ensuring their tiny tummies are full can help them get the shuteye they need to grow and develop.
If you’re concerned about whether or not your newborn is getting enough to eat, a good indicator can be their number of wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Usually babies have 5 - 6 wet diapers per day [] after the first 5 days of life.
Note that if your baby was born early or has certain medical conditions, you’ll want to consult their medical team about feedings that suit their unique needs. For instance, some premature babies may need scheduled feedings instead.
Sleep fact for 2 week old babies
It may seem like your baby spends most of their time sleeping at 2 weeks and that’s right — newborns spend 70% of their time sleeping [] in their first two months of life! Newborns need sleep to grow and develop and they also wake frequently [] because their tummies are quite tiny and they may get hungry again quickly. At birth, a baby’s tummy [] is about the size of a marble (and can hold 1 - 2 tablespoons). By day 10, it’s typically about the size of a ping pong ball (and can hold about 2 ounces).
Naptime schedule for 2 weeks
How long should a 2 week old nap?
Naps will be at 2 weeks old. Babies aren’t born with predictable or organized sleep cycles [], which means you may see a 30-minute nap during the day and the next one may be two hours. Both are considered “normal” at this age.
Since sleep is so unpredictable in the newborn period, we recommend considering wake windows and sleepy cues when determining when your little one may need to snooze again. Babies can typically comfortably stay awake for around 30 - 90 minutes in their first month of life before being ready for sleep again.
Also watch for sleepy signs, which include:
Yawning
Staring off into space
Getting fussy
Rubbing their face on you
These signs may indicate that your child is ready to sleep.
The absence of a sleep schedule can be tricky, but we encourage you to take advantage of the sleepiness and flexibility that also comes with this phase. Newborns can usually fall asleep when you’re out and about pretty easily — run that daytime errand or grab a cup of coffee with a friend, even if your baby snoozes before you make it back home. Just be sure to follow safe sleep practices and move your baby to a firm surface to sleep on their back as soon as possible, as recommended by the AAP [].
How many naps for a 2 week old?
Sleep is controlled by sleep pressure and hunger at 2 weeks, so we won’t see a specific sleep schedule or number of naps at this time. In the first few months of life, your child will likely have short and long periods of sleep along with plenty of wakings for feedings and comfort over a day (and night!).
Looking ahead, most babies are taking around 4 - 5 naps per day. However, there’s still lots of variability [] when it comes to nap times and durations at this age as well. This is expected. Your child will be ready for a more regular sleep schedule when their circadian rhythm develops and they grow and can comfortably for longer periods.
Bedtime for 2 week olds
What time should a 2 week old go to bed?
Does it feel like your baby snoozes all day and then is wide awake when it’s your preferred bedtime? It’s not uncommon for newborns to confuse night and day []. Luckily, this usually resolves at around . Try not to stimulate [] or wake your child when you feed or change them overnight to help “fix” this day/night reversal faster. On the other hand, keeping your baby’s environment bright and noisy during the day may help too.
When it comes to a newborn’s “bedtime,” don’t be surprised if their longest period of sleep in a 24-hour period starts on the late side — possibly after 10:00 PM! — since sleep is still so irregular. Fear not, most babies will be ready for an earlier bedtime at around .
If you're curious about what lies ahead in the next month, glimpse into the future to see what you might experience once your baby is . Take a look back at how far your baby has come by revisiting what they may have been like as a .
2 week old baby sleep FAQ
Q: Can a 2 week old baby sleep through the night?
A:
No. At 2 weeks your baby needs to wake overnight for feedings and comfort. It’s recommended that parents wake a newborn baby around every 3 - 4 hours overnight until they’re back to birth weight, gaining weight steadily, and have been given the green light by a pediatrician or lactation consultant. Check with your child’s medical provider regarding how many nighttime feedings your child may need.
Q: How often do 2 week old babies sleep?
A:
Babies at 2 weeks often need to sleep again after being awake for around 30 - 90 minutes. They won’t have a set sleep schedule at this age, but paying attention to awake windows and sleepy cues can help you determine if your child is ready for more shuteye.
Q: How much nighttime sleep for a 2 week old?
A:
A baby may be in their sleep space for around 9 - 12 hours, however, they won’t sleep for this entire time. Babies at 2 weeks still need to wake overnight for feedings and snuggles.
Q: How much awake time for a 2 week old?
A:
A typical wake period for a 2 week old may be around 30 - 90 minutes. Babies are often up for the shortest amount of time in the morning and then awake periods slightly increase as the day goes on. Your baby’s longest stretch of awake time may be at night — around 10:00 PM or later — at this age.
Q: How much daytime sleep for a 2 week old?
A:
Daytime sleep will be unpredictable at 2 weeks old, though you may see 5 - 6 hours spread over many naps. It may be helpful to look at total sleep over a 24-hour period when evaluating if they’re getting enough rest. Keeping tabs on your child’s overall mood and energy levels can be helpful too.
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Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
