How Long is the Newborn Stage

Updated Jan 17, 2026

The newborn stage, also referred to as the neonatal period, is a time of rapid development during the first few weeks of life, when newborn babies adapt to life outside the womb. A variety of fundamental physiological changes take place that set the stage for future development. Not to be left out, Parents and caretakers also experience a great deal of change.

For new parents, the newborn stage usually involves intensive infant care, important decisions about early parenting, postpartum recovery, and very little sleep. It's an incredible but often challenging time. Almost every parent eventually asks, “When will it get easier?”

How Long Does the Newborn Stage Last?

The newborn stage begins immediately after birth and lasts for the first four weeks (0-28 days) of a baby’s life.

But while doctors and health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) exclusively use the term to refer to babies under 28 days old, there’s no strict definition in everyday use. It’s common to hear parents refer to their babies as newborns up to 3-4 months after birth. That’s because babies tend to become “easier” to care for around this time.

It’s also important to distinguish between the “newborn stage” and “infancy.” Most official sources consider newborns to be babies under 28 days old. But “infant” is a much broader term, used to describe babies up to one year old.

What do Newborns Need?

During the newborn stage, babies have a few basic needs that are essential for their growth and development. Focusing on these key areas will help keep your baby comfortable and thriving during this early period.

Milk: Whether breast milk or formula, newborns need to be fed frequently to support their rapid growth. Typically, they require feeding every 2-3 hours, with breastfed babies eating on demand 8-12 times per day.
Sleep: Sleep is critical to newborn development. While there’s some variation in the sleep habits of newborns, they tend to sleep between 14-16 hours every day. However, they don’t have a typical night-and-day routine. Instead, this sleep is generally broken up throughout the day in 40-60 minute segments. It’s completely normal for them to be awake more during the night than the day, as their bodies adjust to life outside the womb.
Daily Hygiene: You’ll be changing diapers frequently during the newborn stage—about 10-12 times a day. While newborns don’t need daily baths, it’s recommended to give them a gentle bath up to three times a week to protect their delicate skin.
Skin-to-Skin: Physical contact is crucial for newborns, as it provides comfort and helps regulate their body temperature. Skin-to-skin cuddles, where your bub’s bare chest is against yours, not only soothes your baby but also promotes emotional bonding and development.

What Changes Take Place During the Newborn Stage?

Each baby has their own unique developmental timeline. If your little one doesn’t reach these milestones “on time,” don't worry! But if you have concerns about your baby’s development, you should always reach out to your pediatrician.

Motor Function

Newborn babies tend to display certain physical reflexes that signal the development of motor skills, such as making a fist in a “grasping” motion.

When you first bring your little one into the world, their range of motion and physical control will be limited. But as they develop through the newborn stage, they’ll gain more control over their movements. Some examples of motor development milestones include:

Opening and closing their fists
Lifting their head while on their tummy
Kicking their legs while on their back
Moving both arms symmetrically

Emotional Bonding and Socialization

As your bundle of joy gets used to the world around them, they will quickly form bonds with their caretakers. They’ll also begin to express their emotions and learn how to interact with others.

Some examples include:

Crying to signal distress
Making and maintaining eye contact
Recognizing your voice

Language

While newborns won’t be able to speak or understand language until they're much older, they still explore verbal communication in their own way. Cooing, crying, and making small grunts are all forms of verbal communication that are a precursor to more advanced language development.

Sensory Development

Newborns go through a lot as their brand new senses develop. Generally, their hearing is fully formed before they’re born. In fact, most babies can even hear their mother’s voice while they’re in the womb, and they can distinguish between familiar voices by the time they’re born. During the newborn stage, your baby will begin to respond to noises with facial expressions and small sounds.

Their eyes, on the other hand, are less sophisticated after birth. The basic anatomic structures are in place when they’re born, but their vision, retina, and optic nerve will undergo a great deal of development throughout the first year of life. They won’t be able to focus their vision or make out differences between colors for the first few days. However, over the course of the first couple of months, their vision becomes more refined and they’re able to:

See contrasting colors
Focus on objects up to 12 inches away
Show interest in faces and recognize familiar adults
Track moving objects

Feeding

Newborn babies need to eat frequently (every 2-3 hours) because their stomachs are very small and they digest their food rapidly. Breast milk and/or formula are the primary sources of nutrition for newborns.

In an ideal world, newborns and babies up to six months old would exclusively consume breast milk. It contains all the nutritional and immune benefits babies need during this important developmental period. However, many parents can’t or choose not to breastfeed, and therefore, they need to rely on formula, which will also provide what they need to grow and develop.

Both formula-fed and breastfed newborns often require cluster feeding (when a baby eats more frequently during certain times) during the neonatal period – especially during growth spurts. The extra nutrients they receive through frequent feeding help their bodies grow and develop.

Sleeping

Usually, newborns wake up regularly to eat or be changed and won’t begin to sleep through the night until they’re about 3 months old. It’s also common for newborns to go through periods where they sleep less or won’t sleep when you put them down for a nap, which can be stressful and frustrating for new parents. Fortunately, these periods tend to become less frequent over time.

Tips for Handling the Newborn Stage

The newborn stage is both incredibly rewarding and undeniably challenging. With the demands of frequent feedings, disrupted sleep, and adjusting to life with a new little one, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate this exciting, yet exhausting, stage.

Keep Your Favorite Baby Items on Hand

When you’re running on little sleep, having newborn must-haves nearby can make your day a bit smoother. Stock up on diapers, wipes, swaddles, and extra clothes in rooms where you spend the most time with your baby. A mini fridge by the bed with bottles or breast milk for nighttime feedings can also help streamline the process and save you from making extra trips.

Share Nighttime Duties

Sleep deprivation is one of the toughest parts of the newborn stage. Keeping calm when your newborn won’t sleep can be difficult when you're on no sleep yourself. If possible, set up a system with your partner or a caregiver to alternate night feedings and wakeups. If you’re bottle-feeding, you can each take turns handling feedings, or even alternate entire nights on duty. For breastfeeding parents, your partner can still help by taking on diaper changes or calming the baby. This allows both of you to get some rest and keep your energy up during the day.

Get to Know Your Baby

Bonding with your baby is essential, especially during their first few weeks. Take time each day to engage in skin-to-skin contact, which can help regulate your baby’s heart rate and body temperature while fostering emotional connection. Talk, sing, or just hold your baby close—it’s during these moments that your little one begins to feel safe and loved, creating a foundation for long-lasting emotional health.

It might take some time, but you’ll soon begin to understand your baby’s unique signals as well. Pay attention to your little one’s body language and behavior, and trust your instincts. As you get more familiar with your baby, these cues will help you meet their needs more effectively.

Lean on Your Support

It’s easy to feel like you need to do everything yourself, but don’t hesitate to accept help. Whether it's a family member, friend, or a professional like a postpartum doula, having extra hands can give you a much-needed break. If you're feeling unsure about any aspect of newborn care, reaching out to others can make a huge difference. Whether they’re helping with meals or just offering emotional support, your village is there for a reason.

Prioritize Your Mental Health

The newborn stage can be overwhelming, and it’s important to recognize when you need extra support—especially for your mental health. If you or your partner experience persistent sadness, anxiety, or overwhelming feelings, it's crucial to reach out to a healthcare provider. Taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as caring for your baby.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself during this time. The newborn stage is about focusing on the basics: feeding, bonding, and resting when you can. It’s okay if things don’t always go as planned or if everything isn’t perfect. Give yourself grace and remember, this phase will pass quickly, even if it feels long in the moment.

Navigate the Newborn Stage With Bubs

The newborn stage is filled with many amazing milestones for both you and your baby. Watching them grow, learn, and start to interact with their environment is one of the most rewarding parts of new parenthood. Welcoming a new life into the world can be equal parts amazing and overwhelming – and that’s ok!

Whether you’re a first time parent or you’ve done this before, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique. Every journey has its ups and downs, and it’s completely normal to feel a little lost during this incredible transition. But one thing is always certain, proper nutrition is essential to early development. If your baby is formula fed, you need to know that they’re getting high-quality ingredients and that their formula is made with the utmost care, without additives like corn syrup solids, pesticides, or artificial sweeteners and colors.

At Bubs, we’re committed to creating clean, wholesome, and nutritious products for babies and toddlers around the globe. Our infant formulas are made from goat milk and cow milk and are completely free of harsh and unnecessary additives. Not sure where to start? Take our formula quiz to find out which Bubs formula is right for your bundle of joy!