If you’re bleary-eyed, googling “why won’t my newborn sleep?”, welcome, you’re in the right place. The truth is, newborn sleep is beautifully chaotic, and what you’re experiencing is likely completely normal.

Let’s break down what to expect in those early weeks, and hopefully offer a little reassurance along the way.

The Real Deal on Newborn Sleep

Newborns aren’t born with a sense of day and night. Their circadian rhythm (that internal body clock we all rely on) hasn’t developed yet. That means:

• Their naps will vary in length (some short, some surprisingly long)
• They’ll wake frequently overnight (usually for feeds)
• “Bedtime” doesn’t really exist yet, it’s not unusual for them to settle for their longest stretch of sleep around 9-10pm

So, if your newborn is sleeping more during the day than at night, yep, that’s normal.

Day/Night Confusion: Why It Happens

If your baby naps peacefully all afternoon but turns into a nighttime party animal, they might be dealing with day/night confusion.

Signs of this include:

• Long, content naps during daylight hours.
• Restlessness or fussiness during the night.
• Sleeping happily in the bassinet during the day, but only sleeping in your arms at night.

Why? Simply put, they don’t yet know the difference between day and night. The good news is this usually starts to sort itself out by 6–8 weeks with a little support and routine.

Contact Naps: Totally Normal (and Lovely!)

During the “fourth trimester” (those first three months outside the womb), newborns often crave the closeness of a caregiver. It’s not just comforting, it’s survival to them.

Daytime sleep can be especially tricky, and many babies will only nap if held. These contact naps are:

• Completely normal.
• A beautiful part of bonding.
• NOT a bad habit (babies at this age aren’t capable of forming habits yet).

So, if your little one only naps in your arms, soak it up if you can. You’re not spoiling them, you’re supporting them. If you are struggling with other kids needing your attention too, utilise the carrier or naps in the pram at the park!

Why Is My Newborn So Noisy?

One minute they’re snoring softly, the next they’re grunting, twitching, and squeaking, what gives?

Unlike adults, newborns cycle between just two sleep phases: deep and active. In active sleep, babies:

• Wiggle and squirm.
• Grunt, whimper, or cry out briefly.
• Flutter their eyelids.

It’s easy to assume they’re waking up, but often, they’re still fast asleep. Try pausing for a moment before jumping up, they might settle on their own.

Newborn sleep isn’t about long stretches or rigid routines, it’s about survival, bonding, and getting to know each other. The more you understand what’s normal, the less pressure you’ll feel to “fix” something that isn’t broken.

You’re doing an amazing job. Keep the coffee coming, accept the help when it’s offered, and trust that smoother nights will come.