When Should Babies Sleep Through the Night?

3 May 2025

It’s the million-dollar question every new parent is dying to know: _when should babies sleep through the night?_ Those early days (or weeks…or months!) of sleepless nights can feel like they’re never-ending. You might be desperately waiting for the day your baby will grant you the golden gift of a solid eight hours of sleep, or at least a good chunk of uninterrupted snooze. But when, exactly, does this magical moment happen?

In this article, we’re going to dive deep into the factors that influence a baby’s sleep patterns, discuss what “sleeping through the night” really means, and give you some helpful tips for encouraging healthy sleep habits.

What Does "Sleeping Through the Night" Actually Mean?

First off, let’s clear the air on what “sleeping through the night” actually is. If you're envisioning your baby putting in a full 8 to 10 hours straight from dusk till dawn, I hate to break it to you… but that expectation might be a bit of a reach early on.

In baby terms, “sleeping through the night” typically refers to a stretch of 5-6 hours of sleep, usually during the night period. That might not sound like a ton of rest to you as an adult, but for a newborn or young infant, it’s a significant block of sleep.

However, this stretch can expand as your baby gets older. By the time they reach around 6 months, many babies start sleeping for 8-12 hours during the night consistently, often without waking up for a feeding.

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, let’s look at when you can expect longer sleep stretches from your little one.

When Do Babies Typically Start Sleeping Through the Night?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer because every baby is different. However, there are general timeframes and stages when babies start sleeping longer through the night (and giving you much-needed sleep too!). Let’s break it down by age:

1. Newborn Stage (0-2 Months)

Newborns are tiny bundles of needs and hunger. Their stomachs are so small that they need to feed frequently—usually every 2-3 hours—around the clock. Because of their need for regular feedings, most babies at this age won’t sleep for more than 3-4 hours at a time, day or night.

Add to that their developing circadian rhythms (the internal body clock that tells us when it’s time to sleep or wake up), and newborns aren’t programmed to recognize “night” as sleep time like we do. So, if you find yourself waking up at 2 AM (or 3, or 4), know that it’s totally normal during this stage.

2. Infants (3-6 Months)

As babies get older, they start to adjust to a more predictable sleep pattern. By around 3 months, many babies start showing signs of longer stretches of sleep at night—typically anywhere from 5-6 hours. Their feeding times also begin to consolidate, reducing the need for night-time wakeups.

Sleep experts often refer to the 3-4 month mark as the time when babies’ sleep cycles begin to mature. While they may start to sleep longer at night, this is also a common time for sleep regressions to occur (more on that later).

3. Older Infants (6-12 Months)

By 6 months, your baby’s stomach is larger, allowing them to go longer between feeds. Many babies this age are able to sleep for 8 hours or more during the night without a feeding. This is where many parents breathe a sigh of relief (finally!).

It’s worth noting that some babies may still wake up occasionally for other reasons, whether it's discomfort, separation anxiety, or needing a little comfort. But for the most part, consistent longer sleep stretches are much more achievable at this point.

4. Toddlers (12 Months and Beyond)

By the time your child becomes a toddler, most are capable of sleeping through the night (meaning 10-12 hours at a time). Of course, the occasional wake-up still happens—whether it’s due to nightmares, teething, or a little separation anxiety—but the bulk of your child’s nighttime sleep starts to stabilize in the toddler years.

Factors That Can Affect Sleep

So, if every baby is different, what influences when your baby will start sleeping through the night? Here are a few key factors to consider:

1. Feeding Habits

Babies who are breastfed may wake up more often in the night during the first few months compared to those who are formula-fed. Breast milk is digested more quickly than formula, so breastfed babies may feel hungry sooner. That said, every baby is different, and many breastfed babies figure out how to stretch sleep longer by 4-6 months.

2. Weight

There’s a common belief that once babies hit around 12-13 pounds, their bodies can metabolically handle going longer stretches without needing to eat. While weight isn’t the only factor that determines when a baby will sleep through the night, it can play a role in how comfortably they can make it through without feedings.

3. Sleep Environment

Does the room where your baby sleeps feel cozy? Is it dark enough, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature? Creating an environment that’s conducive to sleep can help promote longer stretches of rest. White noise machines, blackout curtains, and an optimal room temperature (between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit) can help your baby feel secure and comfortable during the night.

4. Developmental Milestones

Babies are constantly growing and learning—and sometimes that progress can interfere with sleep. Take the infamous 4-month sleep regression, for example: as babies become more aware of their surroundings, they may start waking up more often during the night, even after they’ve been sleeping longer stretches.

Crawling, pulling to stand, and learning to walk may all disrupt sleep patterns—though these stages are temporary. Stick with your baby’s routines, and they’ll settle back into their sleep eventually.

5. Sleep Associations

Does your baby rely on nursing, rocking, or being held to fall asleep? These sleep associations can sometimes lead to more frequent night wakings. Helping your baby learn how to self-soothe can promote longer, uninterrupted rest at night. But don’t worry—this doesn’t mean you have to let your baby “cry it out” if that doesn’t feel right for you.

Gentle sleep training methods can help encourage your baby to fall asleep more independently while still ensuring they feel secure and comforted.

Tips for Encouraging Sleep Through the Night

Now that you know the rough timeline and factors that affect sleep, let’s talk about what you can do to encourage your baby to sleep through the night.

1. Establish a Bedtime Routine

Just like adults, babies thrive on routine. A calming nighttime ritual—such as a bath, some soothing music, or gentle rocking—signals to your baby that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Consistency is key here! Try to follow the same routine at the same time each night.

2. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

As we mentioned earlier, a dark, quiet, and cool room can help your baby feel more comfortable and secure. Think of it as setting the stage for sleep, where everything from lighting to temperature creates the ideal sleepy setting.

3. Encourage Daytime Naps

It might sound counterintuitive, but ensuring your baby gets good sleep during the day can help improve their nighttime rest. Overtired babies often have more trouble falling (and staying) asleep at night. So don’t skip those naps!

4. Teach Your Baby to Self-Soothe

Helping your baby learn to fall asleep on their own (without being fully dependent on nursing, rocking, etc.) can gradually reduce night wakings. You don’t have to go full-on with sleep training if you're not comfortable, but gently encouraging self-soothing skills can make a big difference over time.

5. Be Patient

This might be the hardest tip of all—especially when you’re operating on far less sleep than you’re used to. But remember that healthy sleep habits take time to develop. Every baby is unique, and while it might feel like you’ll never get a full night’s rest again, know that this phase is temporary. In the grand scheme of things, you’ll get there eventually.

Sleep Regression: The Unwelcomed Guest

Just when you think you’ve got your baby on a good sleep schedule, you might notice them waking up more often than usual. Say hello to sleep regression—one of the most frustrating phases for new parents.

Sleep regressions are temporary disruptions in sleep, often happening around key developmental milestones (like the 4-month mark or when your baby learns to crawl). During these times, it’s important to stay consistent with bedtime routines and keep calm. Regressions are temporary, and your baby will eventually return to their previous sleep patterns.

Conclusion: It’s All About Progress, Not Perfection

So, when _should_ babies sleep through the night? The truth is, there’s no exact timeline. While some babies hit the 6-month mark and start sleeping like champions, others may take a little longer. What matters most is that your baby is progressing at their own pace.

Before you know it, those sleepless nights will be over, and you’ll probably wonder where the time went. Until then, I encourage you to focus on the small wins—the extra hour of sleep, the first full 5-hour stretch—and know that you’re doing a great job.