Day and night are still mixed together
How your baby's internal clock slowly begins to form
By The Millie's Team · Parenting Notes
In the third week, your baby does not yet know the difference between daytime and nighttime. What can feel unpredictable now is actually part of how their internal rhythm slowly begins to form.
What is happening
Babies are born without a developed circadian rhythm. The hormones that help adults feel sleepy at night and alert in the day are still building. For now, your baby sleeps and wakes whenever their body asks them to, with no sense of clock time.
Is this normal
Yes. Mixed up days and nights are one of the most common parts of the newborn weeks. Some babies are wide awake at three in the morning and deeply asleep at midday. This usually shifts gradually over the coming weeks and months.
What you may notice
- Long alert stretches at night
- Deep sleep during busy parts of the day
- Feeds that feel just as frequent in the dark as in the light
- A baby who seems unfazed by the time on the clock
What helps right now
- Keeping daytime feeds bright, chatty, and gently social
- Keeping night feeds quiet, dim, and low key
- Going outside in daylight when you can
- Sharing the night where possible so no one carries it alone
What to expect next
Over the next few weeks, you may notice slightly longer sleep stretches at night and slightly more alert time during the day. The shift is slow and uneven, but it is happening. Your baby's body is quietly learning the difference between day and night, one feed at a time.