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As you spend more time with your baby, you will notice their unpredictable sleeping pattern. They may sleep for 3 hours, wake up, then take a 10-minute nap, all happening at random hours daily. Trying to keep up with their chaotic sleeping pattern is stressful and exhausting, but how can you teach a 3-week-old about sleep schedules?
How Much Should A 3-Week-Old Sleep?
At 3 weeks old, your baby doesn’t understand what a newborn sleeping routine is – they nap and sleep whenever they get tired. At this age, your baby should sleep a lot – around 14 to 17 hours daily. However, their sleep would be in small chunks (2-4 hours), day and night. So, how can you tell if your 3-week-old sleep schedule is normal?
What’s Normal?
- Short sleep cycles - They might doze off after a feeding, then wake up hungry again a moment later.
- No predictable schedule - Your newborn's sleeping routine will be the same for day and night. They mostly sleep during daytime and cry more often at night.
- Lots of naps - They can fall asleep anytime and anywhere. They may doze off during feeding time, while in your arms or a carrier.
Your newborn still doesn’t understand the concept of sleep schedule yet, so they rely more on their body cues to know when to sleep and wake. The moment they get hungry or the temperature changes, they will wake up, and when they are full, they will fall back to sleep.
Sample For 3-Week-Old Sleep Schedule
At 3 weeks old, your newborn will begin to stay awake longer during the day and become fussier. As their brains are still developing, it's hard for them to adjust to daytime and nighttime. Here is a sample of what a 3-week-old sleep schedule looks like:
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3-Week-Old Sleep Schedule |
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Time |
Activity |
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7:00 AM |
Wake up, feed, diaper change |
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7:30 AM |
Short awake time (5-15 minutes) |
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8:00 AM |
Nap |
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10:00 AM |
Wake up, feed, diaper change |
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11:00 AM |
Brief interaction |
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11:30 AM |
Nap |
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1:00 PM |
Wake, feed, diaper change |
|
1:30 PM |
Quiet alert time |
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2:00 PM |
Nap |
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4:00 PM |
Wake, feed, diaper change |
|
4:30 PM |
Fussy period |
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5:00 PM |
Nap |
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7:00 PM |
Wake, feed, diaper change |
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8:00 PM |
Start bedtime routine |
|
8:30 PM |
Down for the night |
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11:00 PM |
Dream feed |
|
2:00 AM |
Night feed |
|
5:00 AM |
Night Feed |
All newborns are different; some may sleep for hours while others are mostly awake and fussy. It’s important for parents to observe their own baby’s sleepy cues.
However, tracking your baby’s sleeping pattern is difficult, especially when juggling tasks. Using a smart baby monitor like the Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor-BM04 can help you keep track of your baby’s sleeping pattern. It helps you understand their natural cues and rest easier, even during late-night wakeups.
Naptime Schedule For 3-Week-Old
A 3-week-old newborn's sleep schedule is mostly composed of naptime. Every baby has a different naptime; some take a longer nap while others take short but frequent naps. Even though the number and duration of naps are different, they still follow the same routine – wake up, eat, interact briefly, and fall asleep again.
How Do I Get My 3-Week-Old to Sleep?
Even though your newborn loves naps, it's still hard to make them fall asleep, especially at night. Here are some things you can do to help them fall asleep.
Swaddling
Tight wrapping creates a womb-like sensation for your baby. This prevents startle reflexes and movements. Use a breathable fabric, arms snug, but hips are loose. This method helps your baby feel secure for a longer sleep.
Rocking
Gentle and steady motions help calm your baby’s nervous system. Try swaying side-to-side or bouncing slightly. This helps your baby fall asleep without feeding.
Pacifiers
Sucking soothes and satisfies their natural instinct. Try offering it after meals if breastfeeding is established. Offer it as well during sleep times, as pacifiers are reported to reduce the risk of SIDS by bringing their tongue forward to open their airways.
Upright Holding
Holding your baby vertically for 10 minutes can prevent spit-up wakes. Accompany it with a gentle pat on their backs to release gas. This helps them settle the milk on your baby’s tummy before lying down.
White Noise
Many parents find that soft, consistent background sound helps their newborn settle. The Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine - App Remote Control mimics the womb’s calming environment and promotes longer, more restful sleep.
Understanding these methods helps establish your newborn’s sleep schedule. By practice and consistency, both you and your baby can have quality sleep.
Newborn Sleep Rhythms
Your 3-week-old sleep schedule is chaotic because it doesn’t depend on day and night; it depends on their needs. Their tiny tummies ask to eat every 2-3 hours. Their sleeps are in small chunks, meaning their sleeps can last 20 minutes - 1 hour. At this stage, they are easily startled when sleeping, which helps them wake up the moment they get hungry or uncomfortable.
As they grow up, your 3-week-old newborn's sleep will last longer at night. For now, it's okay to follow their hunger and comfort needs, not a clock.
Newborn Sleep Schedule Examples by Weeks and Months
To help establish your newborn's sleep schedule, here are some sleep schedules per week and month based on AAP’s recommendations:
Weekly
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Week 1 |
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Week 2 |
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Week 3 |
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Week 4 |
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Week 5 |
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Week 6 |
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Monthly
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Month 2 |
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Month 3 |
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Month 4 |
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Month 5 |
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Month 6 |
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Your 3-week-old sleep schedule evolves weekly – from unpredictable chunks to more structured patterns. While your baby’s development varies from others, most settle in 3-4 months. Always try to be consistent with your baby’s sleep schedule and be alert when it comes to their sleep cues.
FAQs About Your 3-Week-Old’s Sleeping
Can My 3-Week-Old Sleep With A Pacifier?
Yes, if breastfeeding is established. Pacifiers soothe and may reduce SIDS risk. If it falls out during sleep, don’t reinsert – they’ll learn that it’s not needed to stay asleep.
Can A 3-Week-Old Sleep On Their Stomach Or Side?
No. Always place them on their back (ABCs of safe sleep: Along, Back, Crib). Stomach/side sleeping raises SIDS risk. Even if they spit up, their airway protects them.
What Are Wake Windows For A 3-Week-Old?
Just 30-60 minutes total (including feeding). Watch out for cues like yawning or staring off. Overtired babies fight sleep harder.
Can I Sleep Train My 3-Week-Old?
No. Newborns need to eat frequently and can’t soothe themselves yet. Focus on full feeds, swaddling, and routines instead. Gentle sleep habits start around 4 months.
Conclusion
In the first weeks, your 3-week-old sleep schedule is solely based on natural hunger and tiredness. It's normal for them to have short wake windows. Establishing a good sleeping routine can help you and your baby gradually adjust to patterns that provide better rest.
Using tools like a smart baby monitor (Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor-BM04) helps you track your baby’s sleeping pattern, to understand their sleep cues and rest easier, even at night. Another tool that can help is the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine, which helps mimic the womb environment, making it easier for your baby to fall asleep.
Staying consistent with your baby’s sleep cues and routine, even during the unpredictable phase, can make a big difference. Remember, this stage is temporary – your baby’s sleep will gradually improve with time, patience, and the right support tools.
