Newborn night feeding schedule
Split newborn night feeds so you both get real sleep.
Set your night, drag who's on when, and send it to your partner. The timeline flags any hour nobody is covering and any parent who is not getting a long enough break.
Our night runs from to
Tonight's shifts
Click or drag on a row to add a shift. Drag a shift to move it, or its edges to resize.
Plan the week
Starting
Nights by age
Typical ranges, not targets. Babies vary a lot. Based on general pediatric guidance (AAP, CDC). Last reviewed September 2026.
| Age | Feeds per 24 hours | Longest sleep stretch | Try this split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 weeks | About 8 to 12 | About 2 to 3 hours | |
| 3 to 6 weeks | About 7 to 10 | About 2 to 4 hours | |
| 2 months | About 6 to 9 | About 3 to 5 hours | |
| 3 to 4 months | About 5 to 8 | About 4 to 6 hours |
What a newborn night feeding schedule looks like
Most families land on one of a few patterns: each parent takes a long half of the night, the night is split into shorter swaps, or a third person such as a night nanny or grandparent covers the middle. The templates dropdown loads each of these so you can tweak instead of starting from a blank page.
Things worth deciding up front
- What time your night starts and ends. Many families use 7 PM to 7 AM.
- What "on duty" includes: settling, changes, bottles, or all of it.
- Who covers the hour after the handoff if the baby is still awake.
Sharing night feeds
If you're planning a newborn sleep and feeding schedule for two, start with who is on duty when the baby wakes, then decide how a feed and a handoff fit together. A feeding parent might take the first shift while the other sleeps, then swap. Put it on the timeline and the rest goal will tell you whether each of you gets a long enough break.
Breastfeeding, pumping and combo feeding
If one parent is nursing, the other parent can take everything around the feed: bringing the baby, burping, changes and settling. With combo feeding, a bottle from your partner for one or two feeds gives the nursing parent a longer block. The combo feeding template is a starting point for a combo feeding schedule for a newborn. A lactation consultant can help if you're pumping and want to protect supply.
A parent sleep schedule for the first weeks
A good parent sleep schedule with a newborn is one you can both keep up. Start with the simple split, use the week view to alternate who takes the early night, and change it as the baby changes. Print the result as a newborn schedule chart for the fridge, or add it to your calendar.
This tool only plans the schedule. For questions about your baby's sleep or feeding, talk to your pediatrician.
Questions
Is this free?
Yes, it's free and there is no signup. Your schedule stays in your browser.
How long should each parent's shift be?
That depends on your family. Many people try one long stretch each so at least one adult gets a solid block of sleep, and switch to shorter swaps if that is too hard.
How do I share the schedule with my partner?
Press Copy link and send it. The whole schedule is inside the link, so they see and can edit their own copy.
Can I make a schedule that goes past midnight?
Yes. Set the end time earlier than the start, for example 7 PM to 7 AM, and shifts run across midnight.
How do we share night feeds with a newborn?
Decide who is on duty for each part of the night, then drag those shifts on the timeline. Many couples give one parent the first half and the other the second, then swap every few nights.
What's a good sleep schedule for new parents?
One that gives each of you a long stretch off duty. Set a rest goal, such as five hours, and the planner tells you if a shift pattern falls short.
When do newborns sleep through the night?
It varies widely. Newborns wake to feed around the clock, and many babies manage a longer stretch somewhere between 3 and 6 months, though plenty take longer. Sleeping through the night is not a milestone to rush, so ask your pediatrician if you're worried. Meanwhile a shared schedule lets each parent still get a long block of sleep. Plan your nights
How much should a newborn sleep?
Newborns commonly sleep around 14 to 17 hours in 24, in short stretches spread across day and night. Some sleep a bit less or more. Your pediatrician can tell you what's normal for your baby. Plan your nights
How long do newborns sleep at a time?
Often about 2 to 4 hours, because newborns need frequent feeds. Stretches tend to get longer over the first months. Wake-ups are normal, so plan the night around feeds rather than hoping the baby sleeps through. Plan your nights
What does a 2-month-old's night look like?
Many 1 and 2 month olds still wake a few times to feed, with a longest stretch of a few hours. Try two long halves per parent, and adjust as your baby changes. Your pediatrician can advise on night feeds for your baby. Plan your nights
How do we split night feeds when breastfeeding or combo feeding?
The nursing parent usually needs to be available for feeds, so the other parent often takes the rest: fetching the baby, burping, changes and settling. With combo feeding, a partner can give a bottle for a feed or two so the nursing parent gets a longer block. Load the combo feeding template and adjust. Plan your nights
Should we wake a newborn to feed at night?
Follow your pediatrician's advice. In the first weeks, especially for small babies or those regaining birth weight, waking for feeds may be needed. Others don't need it. Your pediatrician will tell you when it's okay to let your baby sleep longer. Plan your nights
Does this work for twins?
Yes. Add a third person or shorten the shifts, and drag until the timeline shows everyone covered.