Most newborns sleep the majority of the day and night, waking only to eat and dirty their diapers. But, is your newborn getting enough sleep a day? What about at night? This post will cover newborn sleep patterns and how long newborns sleep at various times in the day. How Long Do Newborns Sleep a Day? According to the AAP, newborn babies sleep an average of 16 to 17 hours a day over a 24-hour period but usually in 1-2 hour segments. And, according to The National Sleep Foundation,