Baby week 6 of 52 · Month 2 · Body · feeding · care
Week 6: Your 6-Week-Old Baby
Tummy time gets easier; baby studies hands and faces.
Wake window
45 minutes to 1.2 hours
Total sleep
15–17 hrs / 24h
Naps
5–6 per day
Feeding
8–10 milk feeds
Sleep at 6 weeks
At 6 weeks, most babies are awake for 45 minutes to 1.2 hours at a stretch and sleep 15–17 hours across the full day, over 5–6 naps plus nighttime sleep. The first wake window of the day is usually the shortest and the last one before bed the longest — the wake-window calculator spreads them out for you. Total-sleep ranges on this page follow the AASM consensus endorsed by the AAP for 4–12 months and National Sleep Foundation ranges for the newborn weeks; newborn pages note where AAP/AASM set no fixed 0–3 month target.
Milestones to watch for
- First social smiles
- Begins cooing
Care and feeding
Tummy time gets easier; baby studies hands and faces. Feeding rhythm this week: 8–10 milk feeds a day is typical — the pattern across the week matters more than any single day.
Week 6 questions
How long should a 6-week-old be awake between naps?
Most 6-week-olds handle about 45 minutes to 1.2 hours awake at a time. Watch for sleepy cues — staring off, jerky movements, fussing — and start the nap routine a few minutes before the top of the window.
How much sleep does a 6-week-old need in 24 hours?
Typical total sleep at 6 weeks is about 15–17 hours in 24 hours, usually split into 5–6 naps plus nighttime sleep. A day or two outside that range is common and usually not a concern on its own.
What milestones might I see at 6 weeks?
Around 6 weeks many babies begin to: first social smiles; begins cooing. Milestones are ranges, not deadlines — babies reach them across a span of weeks. Mention any concern to your pediatrician at the next visit.
Keep going: tools · essentials for this stage · guides
Educational information only — not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby develops on their own timeline. If you have any concern, talk to your obstetric provider or your baby's pediatrician.