Why Is My Newborn Awake All Night and Sleeping All Day? Let’s Talk Night/Day Reversal

I remember those first few weeks so vividly. My baby would sleep all day—and I mean all day. I was feeling good! I could sneak in a nap (or two), keep up with texts and emails, maybe even tidy up a bit. I’d think, “Okay, I got this!”

But then… something magical (and confusing) happened. Suddenly, my baby started staying awake longer… at 2:00 AM. 😅

Cue the “aha” moment. That’s when all those warnings from other parents started to make sense:“Sleep now, because once the baby comes…”Yep. This was what they meant.

Baby wide awake at night

What Is Night/Day Reversal?

If your newborn is sleeping peacefully during the day but is ready to party at night, you might be dealing with something called night/day reversal.

It might feel like something is wrong—you start wondering:

• Did someone at the hospital miss something?

• Should I call the pediatrician?

• Is it time to hire a sleep coach?

I hear this all the time, and let me reassure you: Nope, nope, and nope. Your baby is perfectly normal.

Night/day reversal actually has a name (well, a few names), and it’s a very common newborn phase.

Why Does It Happen?

There are two main reasons why this happens:

1. Life in the womb

When your baby was still inside you, they were gently rocked to sleep all day while you were out and about—walking, working, moving. That constant motion lulled them into a snooze.

Then, once you finally sat down and laid in bed at night?Boom. They were wide awake. Remember all those little kicks and flips you’d feel the second you tried to rest?

So it makes perfect sense that after birth, your baby might still be a little confused about when it’s time to sleep… and when it’s time to hang out.

2. Their internal clock isn’t developed yet

Babies are born without a mature circadian rhythm—that’s the internal clock that helps us feel awake during the day and sleepy at night.

For the first few months, their bodies just haven’t figured it out yet. They’re still learning the difference between night and day, and until that rhythm kicks in, sleep can feel very unpredictable.

So, What Can You Do About It?

Here are a few gentle ways to help your baby adjust:

☀️ Expose your baby to natural sunlight during the day. Open those curtains wide and go for short walks if you can. Daylight helps kick-start that internal clock.

🛁 Start a simple bedtime routine.Even something as simple as a diaper change, swaddle, and dim lights can signal that nighttime is different from daytime.

💡 Keep nighttime calm and quiet.Once the bedtime routine begins, try to keep lights dim and noise low—even during night feeds or diaper changes. This helps reinforce that night is for sleeping.

Should I Wake My Baby from Naps?

This is a big one, and the answer is… yes—but probably not for the reason you think.

I recommend waking your baby for feedings, not because they’re “sleeping too much,” but to gently encourage a rhythm.

Every 2–3 hours, wake your baby to feed, change the diaper, snuggle a bit, and then back to sleep. That cycle might look like this:

• Feed

• Diaper change + short wake window (30–60 mins)

• Back to sleep for 1.5 to 2 hours…then repeat.

• 
  

This helps create a gentle routine that supports your baby’s development and slowly helps them adjust to life outside the womb.

Hang in There, Mama 💛

Night/day reversal can be tough, especially when you're running on little sleep and feeling like you’re doing something wrong. But I promise you—this is so normal and it won’t last forever.

Most babies begin to adjust around 3 months. In the meantime, keep supporting your baby with light, love, and a little routine—and don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.

Need more help with naps or newborn sleep? [Check out my free nap guide here!] (← insert your link)