When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?
- Niharika Prinsloo
- Feb 12
- 6 min read
It’s one of the biggest questions new parents ask themselves, often through bleary eyes: “When will my baby finally sleep through the night?”
While every baby is different, most begin showing longer stretches of nighttime sleep somewhere between 3 and 6 months old. But the reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.
A baby’s development, diet, and even personality can all play a role in how soon they settle in for a good, long snooze.
In this guide, I’ll share common expectations around baby sleep, practical ways to encourage better rest, and what to do if you’re feeling stuck.
I’ll Cover
What “Baby Sleep Through the Night” Really Means
For many grown-ups, “baby sleep through the night” conjures images of a peaceful 8–10 hour stretch of uninterrupted slumber.
In the context of babies, however, the bar is often set a little lower. Many pediatricians and sleep experts define “baby sleep through the night” as a stretch of about 5–6 uninterrupted hours.
Why the difference? Babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults and spend more time in lighter stages of sleep.
This makes them more prone to waking, whether from a full diaper, hunger, or simply shifting sleep states.
A long stretch of 5–6 hours without waking for a feed or comfort is a big milestone for many infants—especially in the first few months.
It’s also worth noting that even babies considered “good sleepers” may still wake briefly at night.
The important change is whether they’re able to self-soothe or drift back to sleep without needing a full feeding or extensive comforting from you.
Learning about these normal patterns can help you keep expectations realistic.
Check out Baby Sleep Cycles for more insights into how (and why) infants wake.
Typical Age Ranges
While every infant follows their own unique journey, here’s a rough breakdown of what many parents observe:
0–3 Months
During the newborn stage, babies often wake every 2–3 hours for feeds, both day and night. This is perfectly normal since their tiny stomachs can’t hold much milk at once.
Around 2–3 months, some babies may start to manage a 4–5 hour stretch of sleep at night, especially if their feeding and daytime schedules are on track.
3–6 Months
Many infants begin consolidating nighttime sleep around the 3- to 6-month mark. They may sleep for 5–6 hours at a stretch, which can feel like a big victory for tired parents.
This is also the age when developmental leaps and growth spurts become more noticeable. Regressions can happen during these periods, and they’re totally normal. For more on these temporary disruptions,
check out What Are Baby Sleep Regressions & How to Manage Them.
6–12 Months
By 6 months, many babies can sleep 6–8 hours without needing a feed, especially if they’re receiving enough nutrition during the day.
However, this is also the time when teething can rear its head. Gum discomfort can cause night wakings.
See How to Handle Teething for tips on soothing your little one through this phase.
Growth spurts and developmental milestones (like sitting up, crawling, or even pulling to stand) can stir up nighttime routines again. Don’t worry—it’s all part of your baby’s progress.
Some babies may start sleeping through earlier than these guidelines, while others might take a bit longer. Both scenarios can be completely normal.
It’s essential to remember that sleep is a skill babies develop over time.
Factors That Affect Nighttime Sleep
Plenty of influences can shape when your baby will sleep through the night.
Here are a few big ones:
Feeding Patterns
Babies who are hungry will naturally wake more often. Making sure they get enough feeds during the day can help them go longer at night.
If you’re unsure about feeding schedules, check out our post on Baby Nutrition and Sleep. Sometimes, increasing daytime feeds (or adjusting them) can make a real difference in nighttime sleep.
Developmental Milestones
Rolling, crawling, and walking are exciting feats for a baby—but these changes can temporarily disrupt sleep.
Babies often want to practice their new skills, even at bedtime. As frustrating as it can be, it’s normal and tends to be short-lived.
Sleep Environment
A quiet, dimly lit room at a comfortable temperature can help your baby stay asleep for longer stretches.
For more tips, see Calm and Safe Sleep Environment for Baby, which covers everything from room temperature to lighting and noise considerations.
Bedtime Routine
Having a predictable routine each evening helps babies transition from active play to rest.
If you need ideas, check out The Ultimate Guide to Bedtime Routines for step-by-step suggestions. Even a short, simple sequence of events can make a big difference in how easily your baby dozes off.
Personality and Temperament
Some babies are just naturally more alert or sensitive, which can affect how quickly they adapt to longer sleep stretches.
This doesn’t mean they won’t ever sleep through the night—it may just require more gentle consistency on your part.
How to Encourage Longer Sleep Stretches
You can’t force a baby to sleep through before they’re developmentally ready, but you can create a supportive environment and good habits:
Establish a Predictable Bedtime
Choose a bedtime that aligns with your baby’s age and natural rhythms. For instance, very young babies might do best with an earlier bedtime, around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.
Staying consistent helps regulate your baby’s internal clock.
Watch for Tired Cues
Signs like fussiness, rubbing eyes, and yawning indicate your baby might be ready to sleep. Catching these cues early often leads to easier settling.
On the flip side, missing these cues can result in an overtired baby, who may wake more frequently.
Read Signs of an Overtired Baby to help you recognize when bedtime should happen.
Prioritize Daytime Naps
Good daytime rest usually translates to better nights. Contrary to what some believe, skipping naps can lead to a baby who’s overtired at bedtime and, ironically, sleeps less soundly at night.
Check out Daytime Routines for Nighttime Sleep for more on how a solid daytime schedule can improve overnight rest.
Encourage Self-Soothing
Babies who can drift off without extensive rocking or feeding often handle night wakings better. They may still wake, but they’ll be more likely to go back to sleep independently.
This doesn’t mean you have to leave them to cry endlessly—there are gentle, responsive methods that help.
Read Gentle Approach to Better Baby Sleep for techniques on developing self-soothing skills.
Keep Night Wakings Calm
If your baby does wake, try to keep the interaction quiet and brief. Speak softly, keep lights low, and avoid playtime or screens. This helps reinforce the idea that nighttime is for sleeping.
When to Consider Professional Help
Sometimes, no matter how consistent or patient you are, sleep troubles persist.
You might want to reach out for extra support if:
Your Baby Is Over 6 Months Old Yet still waking every 1–2 hours all night, showing little improvement despite various strategies.
You’re Exhausted or Stressed Chronic sleep deprivation can take a toll on your well-being, both physically and emotionally. Prioritizing your own rest is crucial, not only for you but also for your ability to care for your baby.
You’re Facing Multiple Sleep Challenges Perhaps your baby struggles with both daytime naps and bedtime, or there’s an ongoing feeding issue.
See When Nothing Works for Baby for insights into tackling multiple concerns at once.
Professional guidance can help you fine-tune your approach or spot potential issues you might have overlooked.
Sometimes, an outside perspective offers the clarity and encouragement you need.
How MyBabySleepConsultant Can Help
If you’re tired of guessing and second-guessing when your baby will sleep through the night,
MyBabySleepConsultant is here to provide practical, evidence-based strategies tailored to your unique situation:
Personalized Sleep Plans We understand that each baby is different.
Whether your child is 2 months old, 8 months old, or approaching toddlerhood, we can customize a plan that considers their age, developmental stage, and your family’s lifestyle.
Gentle Methods Our experts prioritize a nurturing approach that maintains the important bond between you and your baby.
We aim to reduce tears while still helping your child learn valuable sleep skills.
Ongoing Guidance If your baby hits a regression or you need to tweak your schedule, our team is here to support you.
We’ll help you make small adjustments as your child grows and changes.
Final Thoughts
Wondering when your baby will sleep through the night is perfectly normal. Some babies hit this milestone sooner, while others take a bit longer.
By focusing on factors such as feeding routines, a calm sleep environment, and a predictable bedtime, you can support your baby’s ability to stretch those nighttime hours.
Above all, remember that nighttime wakings are a normal part of infancy, even for babies who are otherwise “good sleepers.”
With the right guidance and a bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to longer nights and better rest for both you and your baby.
Ready for peaceful nights? Contact MyBabySleepConsultant and start your baby's journey to better sleep today!
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