The circadian rhythm is the body's roughly 24-hour internal clock, which regulates sleep, hormones such as melatonin and cortisol, and body temperature. Newborns do not have a mature rhythm yet; it starts to develop at around 2 to 3 months.
Key takeaways
- Newborns sleep in short bursts around the clock.
- Daylight, darkness at night and regular routines help the body clock develop.
- Longer night-time sleep usually becomes possible after the rhythm develops.
What you can do
- Expose your baby to natural daylight and normal household noise during the day.
- Keep night feeds dark, quiet and boring.
- Start a simple bedtime routine from birth.
Frequently asked questions
Their body clock is not yet set; this usually improves over the first few months.