When Will My Baby Sleep Through The Night?

One of the top questions I get is: “When will my baby sleep through the night?”

Don’t worry—I’m not going to give you the common “no one truly sleeps through the night” answer. I get it. You’re exhausted, and you want to know when you’ll finally get a full night’s sleep.

The Short Answer: It’s Impossible to Predict

Some babies sleep well from the start, while others struggle. Some improve, then regress. Some always need more support. Sleep varies due to factors like genetics, temperament, environment, and underlying needs.

If I had to give an honest answer, sleep can be challenging for parents until around five years of age. During the first five years, children experience:

  • Rapid growth and development
  • Teething and frequent illnesses
  • Major transitions (e.g., new siblings, starting daycare, moving to a bed, beginning kindergarten)

As children mature, sleep generally improves, but this doesn’t mean your baby won’t sleep well for five years! Most babies go through phases of good and bad sleep.

The “Sleeping Through the Night” Myth

Many parents are told their baby “should” be sleeping through the night by a certain age. This belief likely comes from a 1950s study that found 70% of 3-month-olds were “sleeping through the night”—but the study defined this as only five hours (12–5 AM), not a full 12-hour stretch [1].

Another common myth is that babies should sleep through the night by six months because they no longer need night feeds. This assumes that babies only wake from hunger, which isn’t true! Babies wake for comfort, connection, and developmental reasons.

  • Formula-fed infants may sleep longer stretches since formula takes longer to digest and bottle-fed babies can be overfed.
  • Breastfed infants often take in up to 50% of their daily milk overnight and may need night feeds longer [2]. Experts suggest waiting until at least 12 months to night-wean if you’re breastfeeding and want to maintain supply. However, every baby is different—some need night feeds beyond a year, while others don’t.

What Does “Sleeping Through the Night” Actually Mean?

There are three definitions of “sleeping through the night.”

  1. Academic/Research Definition – Most sleep studies define it as 5–8 hours of sleep (not 12 hours).
  2. Cultural Definition – Many Western cultures expect 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep (e.g., 7 PM – 7 AM). This expectation is influenced by outdated research, adult sleep patterns, and parental convenience.
  3. Personal Definition – This is the most important one. What does good sleep look like for you and your baby?

What Does Normal Infant Sleep Look Like?

If we look at the research, babies and toddlers wake far more than most people realize.

  • 70% of 6–18-month-olds wake at least once a night, and 20% wake three or more times. [3]
  • At 6 months: 38% don’t sleep six-hour stretches, and 57% don’t sleep eight hours.
  • At 12 months: 28% don’t sleep six hours straight, and 43% don’t sleep eight hours. [4]
  • Toddlers (30–42 months) wake about four times a night. Some wakes last 24–31 minutes, and they sleep about 8–8.5 hours total. [5]

What Does This Mean for You?

  1. There is no universal definition of “sleeping through the night.” Different cultures and individuals define it differently. What matters is that your baby is getting the rest they need, and you’re finding ways to improve your own sleep situation.
  2. Frequent waking is common. Most babies and young children don’t sleep uninterrupted for long stretches—and many need parental support. Even “good sleepers” experience disruptions. If you’re interested in learning more about how much sleep your child needs, click here.
  3. Sleep isn’t linear. There will be ups and downs. Growth, development, and life transitions affect sleep. Even my independent sleeper needed extra support at age two.
  4. You don’t have to wait it out. There are ways to improve sleep at every stage. However, sleep may not be “perfect” until your child is older.

Final Thoughts

Don’t get caught up in cultural expectations of sleep. Instead, focus on what works for your family. What change would help you feel more rested? Adjust your expectations in a way that supports both your baby’s needs and your well-being.

Your baby is normal, and so are you.

References

[1] Moore, T., & Ucko, L. E. (1957). Night waking in early infancy. Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 32, 333–342.

[2] Imong, S.M., Jackson, D.A., Wongsawasdii, L., Ruckphaophunt, S., Tansuhaj, A., Chiowanich, P., Woolridge, M.W., Drewett, R.F., Baum, J.D. and Amatayakul, K., 1989. Predictors of breast milk intake in rural northern Thailand. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 8(3), pp.359-370.

[3] Hysing M, Harvey AG, Torgersen L, Ystrom E, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Sivertsen B. Trajectories and predictors of nocturnal awakenings and sleep duration in infants. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2014 Jun;35(5):309-16.

[4 Pennestri, M. H., Laganière, C., Bouvette-Turcot, A. A., Pokhvisneva, I., Steiner, M., Meaney, M. J., Gaudreau, H., & Mavan Research Team (2018). Uninterrupted Infant Sleep, Development, and Maternal Mood. Pediatrics, 142(6), e20174330. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-4330

[5] Hoyniak CP, Bates JE, Staples AD, Rudsaill KM, Molfese DL, Molfese VJ. Child sleep and socioeconomic context in the development of cognitive abilities in early childhood. Child Development. 2019; 90: 1718-1737.