Your newborn sleeps like an angel all day… but the second night falls, they’re wide awake and ready to party.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns I hear from new parents, and it has a name: day/night confusion. The good news? It’s normal, temporary, and there are gentle ways to help your baby learn the difference.

What Is Day/Night Confusion?

Day/night confusion happens when a newborn’s sleep patterns are flipped: lots of naps during the day, long stretches of alertness at night. It feels frustrating, but it’s not your fault, and it’s not forever.

Why It Happens

Babies aren’t born knowing the difference between day and night. In the womb, it’s always dark, and their sleep cycles are driven more by your movement and hormones than by sunlight. At birth, they don’t yet have a developed circadian rhythm, the internal “body clock” that helps us feel awake in the day and sleepy at night.

It also takes several weeks for melatonin and cortisol (the hormones that regulate sleep and wake) to kick into a rhythm. Until then, your baby’s sleep can feel unpredictable.

Signs of Day/Night Confusion

How do you know if your baby has day/night confusion?
Look for these common patterns:

• Sleeping long stretches during the day but restless at night

• Alert, active, or even fussy in the middle of the night

• Short feeds or catnaps at night, then deep daytime sleep

If that sounds like your baby, then you’re right on track with what’s normal in the newborn stage.

How to Fix It (Actionable Tips)

The goal isn’t to force a newborn schedule, it’s simply to offer gentle cues that help your baby’s body learn what’s daytime and what’s nighttime.

1. Keep Days Bright & Active
During the day, expose your baby to natural daylight, open the blinds, and go outside if you can. During wake windows, talk, sing, and play. This helps signal: “Daytime = awake time.”

2. Keep Nights Dark, Calm, and Quiet
During the night, dim the lights, use a soft voice, and keep stimulation low during night feeds or diaper changes. Save play and interaction for the day. Over time, your baby will connect: “Nighttime = sleep time.”

3. Use a Consistent Morning Wake-Up Time
Pick a “start the day” time (even if your night wasn’t perfect). Open the blinds, turn on lights, and begin your morning routine. Consistency helps anchor your baby’s internal clock.

4. Avoid Long Daytime Naps
If your baby is sleeping long stretches during the day but up all night, try waking them gently for feeds at least every 2–3 hours in the daytime. That way, they’re getting nutrition when it’s light out, not just at midnight. In addition, this will help move their longer sleep stretches to night time (where you want them!).

You've got this, mama!

Day/night confusion usually works itself out by 6–8 weeks of age as your baby’s circadian rhythm develops.
It’s a phase, not forever. But it is hard, so give yourself plenty of grace.
With some gentle guidance, you can help your baby learn when it’s time for sleep, and when it’s time for play.

If you’re in the thick of sleepless nights and feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I offer personalized support to help families navigate newborn sleep with confidence.

👉 Work with me 1:1 for newborn sleep support. Click here to schedule a 15 minute call, tell me about yourselves, and learn how I can help your family get the rest you all need and deserve!

Newborn
Day/Night Confusion