When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night?

Reviewed by: Tracie Kesatie, Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach

One of the most common questions new parents ask is: When do babies sleep through the night? In those first foggy months post-birth, when midnight wakeups stack one after another, it’s natural to long for extended stretches of rest—and just as natural to wonder when they’ll arrive. Babies often wake every few hours in early life.

While every newborn is different, some infant sleep patterns and milestones can help parents understand what’s typical. 

This guide explores what “sleeping through the night” really means, when most babies typically start to do it, and how parents and caregivers can support healthy sleep along the way.

What “Sleeping Through the Night” Really Means

When parents ask, When do babies start sleeping through the night without waking, some often imagine 10–12 hours of quiet rest. In reality, the milestone looks a little different: For infants, it typically means 6–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep—but that doesn’t mean babies won’t stir. Many babies still wake briefly but learn to settle back down without fully rousing.

While sleep is very variable in the first couple months of life and babies are not usually able to follow a flexible sleep schedule until around 3-4 months of age, understanding how this milestone fits into your newborn sleep schedule can help you manage expectations and recognize normal sleep behavior for your baby’s age. Instead of waiting for perfection, recognize progress in smaller steps. Gradual changes are signs of healthy development, even if mornings still arrive earlier than you’d like. What’s more, as babies age, they learn how to fall back to sleep on their own, allowing for longer, more predictable sleep blocks. Some babies will learn this skill on their own and others will need support like sleep training to learn this skill.

Typical Age Ranges for Sleeping Through the Night

Many babies begin sleeping through the night between 3–6 months of age, once their stomachs can hold more milk and their circadian rhythms start to mature.1 Some may take 9–12 months, but don’t panic: that variation is entirely normal. 

Throughout the newborn sleep stage, parents often notice2:

  • Around 3 months, babies may manage one longer stretch of sleep at night
  • By 6 months, many consolidate sleep into more predictable nighttime hours 
  • By 9–12 months, most can sleep 8 hours or more, depending on their individual needs

These ranges help set expectations, but the timelines aren’t rigid–every baby’s path looks a little different and unique.

Signs Your Baby is Ready for Rest and Longer Sleep

Observing when your baby is ready for bed aids in a seamless night-time transition, as well as keeping an eye on the clock. Recognizing when it's time can ease bedtime. Babies often display cues indicating readiness for sleep, such as eye rubbing, yawning, or increased fussiness. Recognizing these signs can help streamline baby sleep routines and promote smoother sleep onset. By establishing a consistent bedtime ritual aligned with these cues and keeping infant sleep safety in mind, you can enhance infant sleep and reduce nighttime awakenings.

Whole milk nutrition. Locate your nearest store!

Factors That Influence When Babies Sleep Longer Hours

Why do some babies sleep through the night sooner than others? It's helpful for parents to recognize these factors. A mix of feeding patterns, development, and environment all play a role. 

Feeding & Digestion

Newborns need frequent feeding at night, which makes nighttime waking common. By 3-4 months, their stomach capacity increases, allowing longer intervals of rest at night between feedings.

Parents also notice that comfort after feeding makes all the difference in how long their baby sleeps. Fussiness, gas, or unsettled digestion can cut sleep short, while a settled tummy helps babies drift back into deeper rest. 

That’s why many families look to Bubs’ goat milk and grass-fed cow’s milk formulas—they’re crafted to be gentle on tiny tummies and easy to digest to support calmer nights. 

Instead of worrying about discomfort waking your baby, you can focus on establishing a routine and celebrating your baby's developmental milestones. 

Developmental Milestones

Growth spurts, such as rolling over, sitting up, or teething, can briefly disrupt sleep as babies practice new skills or cope with discomfort. New milestones mean new sleep patterns. These phases are temporary, and routines usually return once the milestone passes.

Environment & Routine

A safe, consistent sleep space provides babies with the structure they need to rest more soundly and develop healthy rhythms over time. This environment supports the baby's need for comfort and security at night. That includes: 

  • Predictable bedtime cues like feeding, swaddling, or lullabies
  • Placing babies on their backs to sleep
  • A firm mattress free from pillows and blankets that can be a safety risk
  • A cool, comfortable room, with a dim lightlight, if needed 

Together, these factors create the foundation for progress toward longer, deeper stretches of sleep. 

Understanding the Role of Sleep Cycles in Infant Growth and Development

Grasping the importance of sleep cycles is essential for appreciating infant sleep development. Infants cycle through lighter and deeper sleep stages, much like adults, albeit with shorter durations, which are measured in minutes rather than hours. These cycles influence how infants wake and resettle. By understanding these patterns, parents can better handle nighttime disruptions and apply suitable calming methods. 

For families practicing co-sleeping with baby, recognizing these natural sleep cycles can also help support safer, more restful nights and smoother transitions between wake and sleep. Aligning sleep routines with natural cycles can lead to more consolidated, restful sleep, promoting healthy growth. While many families co-sleep, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) does not recommend co-sleeping, but rather room sharing.

Crafting a Soothing Bedtime Routine

Creating a predictable bedtime routine and window is vital for signaling to baby that it’s time to wind down. Many babies find comfort in routines. Whether involving a warm bath, storytime, or lullabies, the routine cues your baby to transition from the excitement of day to the calm of night. This consistent structure supports regular sleep schedules and aids in setting the baby’s internal clock, helping them naturally fall asleep and enjoy longer rest periods.

What Parents Can Do to Encourage Longer Sleep Stretches

As a parent, you can’t control when your baby starts sleeping through the night, but you can create conditions that encourage it. Try: 

  • Establishing a soothing bedtime rhythm: feed, burp, swaddle, quiet time
  • Offering natural light and activity during the day to support circadian cues
  • Keeping nighttime calm with dim lights and hushed voices
  • Engaging in safe sleep practices
  • Making sure baby is getting good feeds during the day.  Baby may still need one or more feeds at night, but we want to avoid skipping feeds during the day
  • Making sure a baby is not going to bed overtired as that can lead to more wakeups at night
  • Rule out anything underlying (reflux, eczema, etc.) that might be going on.  A baby who is uncomfortable usually wakes more at night.

While these steps don’t guarantee instant results, consistency is what makes them powerful—the familiarity signals safety, and over time, babies learn to settle into longer stretches of rest. 

The Role of Gentle Sleep Training in a Baby's Night Routine

Is sleep training a necessity for every baby? Not always, but it can establish beneficial sleep habits for your baby. Many parents find reassurance in gentle sleep training methods that support babies past 4-6 months old in learning to independently soothe themselves to sleep. These techniques can help adjust day-night rhythms and sleep cycles, encouraging healthier sleep routines for babies and children alike. However, acknowledging every baby’s unique needs and seeking guidance from a pediatrician can provide personalized advice.

When to Talk to a Pediatrician

Even with steady routines and lots of patience, it’s natural for parents to wonder if their baby’s sleep is on track. Sometimes, reaching out for professional guidance can provide comfort as much as answers. Check in with a pediatrician if:

  • Sleep patterns seem exceptionally irregular after 6 months
  • Your baby shows signs of poor feeding, excessive fussiness, or slow growth
  • Breathing difficulties are present during rest

Many babies eventually learn to sleep through the night at their own pace, but a Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach and pediatrician can reassure you that what you're seeing is normal or help if it's not. 

Insights from Pediatrics on Sleep Routines

Pediatric specialists highlight that sleep training is not universally applicable. Instead, parents should tailor approaches to their infant’s personality and requirements. Whether opting for gradual methods or structured techniques, it's crucial for parents to stay attentive and adaptable. Working with a Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach in addition to regular pediatric consultations can ensure any sleep method supports the infant’s health and developmental milestones, resulting in healthier sleep patterns and improved rest for the entire family.

The Gentle Path Toward Steadier Sleep

So, when do newborns start sleeping through the night? For many, it happens between 3–6 months, though some newborns take closer to a year. Either way, progress is gradual, marked by longer stretches rather than sudden leaps. 

Regardless of your baby’s timeline, you can support their journey with Bubs’ infant goat milk formula and grass-fed infant formula. Our clean baby formula is designed with gentle digestion in mind, helping reduce fussiness and supporting more settled nights. They’re also free of artificial ingredients, GMOs, pesticides, and other no-nos. 

While no formula can set the sleep schedule for you, choosing nutrition that’s kind to tiny tummies can give you one more layer of reassurance on the journey to restful sleep.

 

Tracie Kesatie, Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach

Tracie Kesatie is an experienced Certified Gentle Sleep Coach and the founder of Rest Well Baby. She combines nearly two decades of personal parenting experience—as a mother of four well-rested children—with her professional background to help families worldwide solve pediatric sleep challenges.

Her expertise is built on a strong academic foundation, including a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling. Since becoming a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach in 2014, Tracie has established herself as a trusted authority for parents with children aged 0–10, specializing in supportive, non-judgmental, and custom-tailored sleep support.

Tracie's insights have been featured across various media platforms, including appearances on the Home & Family TV show and as an expert guest on popular podcasts like Is It Bedtime Yet? and Golden Hour. As a member of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants, she is dedicated to empowering parents and ensuring the entire family achieves restful sleep.

 

Sources: 

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Uninterrupted Infant Sleep, Development, and Maternal Mood. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/142/6/e20174330/37494/Uninterrupted-Infant-Sleep-Development-and
  2. Stanford Medicine. Infant Sleep. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=infant-sleep-90-P02237