When Do Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night?
If you're wondering when the middle-of-the-night wake-ups will finally slow down, here's what baby sleep looks like at different ages, why waking is still normal, and how to make nights more manageable.
It's 2:30 in the morning. You've just settled your baby back into the crib, you're hoping for a few uninterrupted hours, and then you hear another little cry.
At some point, almost every sleep-deprived parent asks the same question: When will my baby finally sleep through the night?
Maybe you've heard about a friend's three-month-old sleeping for eight hours straight. Meanwhile, your six-month-old still wakes twice, and you're beginning to wonder whether something is wrong with your routine.
The reassuring answer is that babies develop nighttime sleep patterns at different speeds. Some begin sleeping for longer stretches around four to six months. Others continue waking for feeding, comfort or other reasons well beyond that age.
And here's something that often gets left out of the conversation: sleeping through the night doesn't necessarily mean your baby never wakes up.
Understanding what changes as babies grow can help you set more realistic expectations and figure out when a nighttime pattern is normal or worth discussing with your pediatrician.
At What Age Do Babies Sleep Through the Night?
Many babies begin developing longer nighttime sleep stretches between four and six months, but there's no universal age when every baby will sleep continuously until morning.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains that infant sleep cycles become more organized over the first several months and that it is normal for babies around six months to wake briefly during the night. Some settle again without much help, while others need feeding or reassurance.
For a practical overview:
Baby's age | What nighttime sleep may look like |
0–3 months | Frequent waking for feeds; short and unpredictable sleep stretches |
3–4 months | Some longer stretches may emerge, but frequent waking remains common |
4–6 months | Sleep patterns become more organized; some babies begin sleeping for five or six hours or longer |
6–9 months | Many can manage longer nighttime stretches, although waking is still normal |
9–12 months | Some sleep most of the night; others continue waking with changes in routine or development |
This isn't a milestone checklist. A baby who wakes at eight months is not automatically behind a baby who sleeps longer at four months.
Growth, feeding needs, temperament, health and the sleep environment all play a role.
What Does “Sleeping Through the Night” Actually Mean?
Parents and researchers don't always use the phrase in the same way.
In some discussions, sleeping through the night means getting approximately five or six consecutive hours of sleep. Other parents mean eight hours, or an entire night from bedtime until morning. Those are very different expectations.
A baby who sleeps from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. has managed a six-hour stretch. To their parent, however, that 2 a.m. wake-up may not feel like sleeping through the night at all. There's another important detail: babies, like adults, naturally move through sleep cycles and may wake briefly between them.
The difference is whether they return to sleep on their own or need someone to help them settle.
So rather than asking only whether your baby sleeps through the night, it may be more useful to notice whether their longest sleep stretch is gradually increasing, whether they feed and grow well, and whether they seem comfortable and alert during the day.
Newborn to 3 Months: Why Night Wakings Are Expected
During the newborn months, babies have small stomachs and need frequent feeds to support growth. Their internal sleep-wake rhythm is also still developing. They don't yet understand that nighttime is meant for a longer period of sleep.
It's common for newborns to sleep in short stretches throughout the day and night. If your baby is in this stage, our Newborn Sleep: What to Expect in the First 12 Weeks explains feeding, daytime sleep, and normal newborn nighttime patterns in greater detail.
Should You Wake a Newborn to Feed?
Sometimes, yes.
In the earliest weeks, some newborns need to be woken for feeds, particularly until feeding and weight gain are well established. Babies born prematurely, those with jaundice, or infants with weight-gain or medical concerns may need a more specific feeding schedule.
Follow your pediatrician's instructions rather than allowing a newborn to sleep longer simply to encourage nighttime sleep. Once your baby is feeding well and gaining weight appropriately, your pediatrician can advise whether waking for feeds is still necessary.
4–6 Months: Longer Sleep Stretches May Begin
Around four months, many babies develop more mature patterns of sleep. You may notice your baby staying asleep longer after bedtime or developing more predictable sleep periods. But progress isn't always steady. A baby who previously slept for a long stretch may begin waking more frequently.
Parents often call this the four-month sleep regression. Although the term is popular, it's not a formal medical diagnosis or a problem that every baby experiences at a particular age. Changing sleep patterns, developmental progress, illness and other factors can contribute to nighttime disruptions.
Should a Six-Month-Old Sleep Through the Night?
Not necessarily.
Many healthy six-month-olds are physically capable of longer sleep stretches, but that doesn't mean all should sleep through the entire night without waking or feeding.
Pediatric guidance emphasizes individual variation.
If your baby is waking frequently, consider their daytime feeding, growth, sleep environment, and whether something such as illness or discomfort may be affecting them. Avoid withholding needed feeds or making major feeding changes simply because your baby has reached six months.
6–9 Months: Why Babies May Still Wake Up
This can be a confusing stage because your baby may seem capable of longer sleep but still call for you several times a night. Development is one reason.
Babies may be learning to roll, sit, crawl or pull themselves up. They may also become more aware when a parent leaves the room. Illness, discomfort, teething, changes in childcare, and travel can temporarily affect sleep. You might notice that your baby sleeps well for several nights and then suddenly starts waking again. That doesn't automatically mean you've undone your bedtime routine.
What About Separation Anxiety?
As babies become more aware of familiar caregivers, some become upset when a parent leaves, particularly at bedtime or during nighttime waking. Responding calmly and predictably can help your baby feel secure. You don't need to assume every wake-up requires a new sleep strategy. If your baby settles with a little reassurance and is otherwise well, that may be enough.
9–12 Months: Will Night Waking Finally Stop?
By the end of the first year, many babies have a more predictable nighttime routine. Some sleep for long stretches with only brief wakings. Others continue to need occasional help settling. New motor skills, separation anxiety, illness, travel and changes to naps can all affect sleep.
This is also an age when parents sometimes wonder whether daytime naps are interfering with bedtime. A good starting point is to look at the entire day rather than focusing only on what happens at night.
Our Baby Wake Windows by Age: A Practical Guide From Newborn to 12 Months explains how awake time and naps tend to change as babies grow. Remember that one or two disrupted nights don't necessarily require changing the routine that was working well before.
Does Your Baby Still Need Night Feedings?
This is one of the biggest questions behind sleeping through the night. There isn't a single age when all babies must stop feeding overnight. Some healthy, growing babies can go longer between feeds as they get older. Others continue needing nighttime milk because of growth, overall intake, feeding patterns or individual medical circumstances. Breastfed and formula-fed babies may have different patterns, but the type of milk alone doesn't determine when a baby will sleep longer.
When Can You Stop Night Feedings?
Discuss this with your pediatrician, particularly if your baby is younger than six months or has any concerns involving growth, hydration or feeding.
Before changing nighttime feeds, consider whether your baby:
Is gaining weight steadily.
Is taking an appropriate amount of milk during the day.
Has an expected number of wet diapers.
Has any medical condition or feeding concern that requires overnight intake.
A baby waking for a needed feed is not demonstrating a bad sleep habit. For babies under 12 months, breast milk or infant formula remains an important source of nutrition even after complementary foods are introduced. Don't replace needed nighttime milk feeds with water or attempt to reduce intake without appropriate guidance.
Five Ways to Support Longer Nighttime Sleep
There is no routine that guarantees an uninterrupted night, but a few consistent habits may help your baby develop a predictable rhythm.
1. Keep Daytime and Nighttime Different
During the day, let your baby experience normal household light, conversation and age-appropriate play. At night, use dim lighting and keep feeding or changing as calm as possible.
This helps reinforce the difference between daytime activity and nighttime rest.
2. Establish a Simple Bedtime Routine
A short, repeated sequence can make the evening feel familiar. That might mean changing into pajamas, feeding, reading a little book or singing, and settling your baby in their sleep space.
The routine doesn't need to take an hour or involve expensive sleep products. For an age-appropriate starting point, see our How to Create a Simple Bedtime Routine for Your Baby.
3. Pay Attention to Naps Without Obsessing Over the Clock
A baby who is exhausted at bedtime may have a harder time settling. But keeping a baby awake all afternoon isn't a reliable way to produce a longer night. Follow your baby's tiredness cues and aim for an age-appropriate balance of naps and awake time.
4. Give Your Baby a Chance to Settle, When Appropriate
For older babies, a brief stir or soft noise doesn't always mean they are fully awake. You may occasionally find that your baby settles again without needing much help. If they are distressed, hungry or unwell, respond to their needs.
There is no requirement to leave a crying baby alone to achieve healthy sleep.
5. Keep the Sleep Environment Safe and Consistent
Place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat, noninclined mattress in an appropriate crib, bassinet or play yard. Use only a fitted sheet and keep loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed toys and sleep positioners out of the space.
The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months. If you feed or comfort your baby in an adult bed, return them to their separate safe sleep space before you go to sleep. Safe sleep always takes priority over attempts to extend nighttime sleep.
What If Your Baby Suddenly Starts Waking Again?
A baby who previously slept for longer stretches can begin waking more frequently.
Before changing the bedtime routine, check for practical explanations.
Has your baby been ill? Are they uncomfortable? Have naps shifted? Are they learning a new skill? Has their usual schedule changed?
Sometimes, the simplest response is to keep the familiar routine and provide a little more comfort while the disruption passes.
Other times, a pattern continues and warrants discussion with your pediatrician.
If your baby is repeatedly waking in distress or seems uncomfortable, don't assume it's only a sleep regression. The same applies to unusual breathing, persistent feeding difficulties or poor growth.
When Should You Talk to Your Pediatrician?
Night waking alone is not necessarily a health problem. However, you should seek advice if sleep concerns occur alongside poor weight gain, difficulty feeding, fewer wet diapers than expected, unusual breathing or persistent discomfort.
A baby who is unusually difficult to wake, weak, or showing signs of serious illness needs prompt medical attention. Difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness or similar emergency symptoms require emergency care. If your baby was born prematurely or has a health condition, use individualized guidance for sleep and nighttime feeding.
It's also appropriate to ask for help when sleep disruption is severely affecting caregiver well-being or your family's ability to function safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a three-month-old sleep through the night?
Some three-month-olds begin having longer sleep stretches, but frequent waking remains normal. Nighttime feeding needs depend on growth and health, so follow your pediatrician's recommendations.
Is it normal for a six-month-old to wake twice a night?
Yes. Nighttime waking can still occur at six months, even when sleep patterns are becoming more organized. Discuss feeding or sleep concerns with your pediatrician if needed.
Do formula-fed babies sleep longer than breastfed babies?
Feeding patterns may differ, but formula feeding does not guarantee sleeping through the night. Babies' sleep depends on development, overall intake, health and individual differences.
Will starting solids help my baby sleep through the night?
Not necessarily. Starting complementary foods is an important feeding milestone, but solids are not a proven solution for frequent night waking. Introduce them based on developmental readiness and pediatric guidance rather than primarily to improve sleep.
Does sleep training mean you have to let your baby cry?
No. Families use different approaches to bedtime and settling. Some prefer gradual changes and responsive comforting. You don't have to adopt a particular method, and feeding, safety and medical needs must remain priorities.
Why does my baby sleep longer at the beginning of the night?
Sleep pressure and your baby's developing circadian rhythm can influence how sleep is distributed. Some babies naturally have their longest stretch shortly after bedtime and wake more frequently toward morning.
Is waking up once a night normal at 12 months?
Yes. Some babies continue waking occasionally near their first birthday. A single nightly waking isn't automatically a sleep disorder.
How much total sleep does a baby need?
The CDC recommends approximately 14–17 hours in 24 hours for newborns ages 0–3 months and 12–16 hours, including naps, for infants ages 4–12 months. Individual needs vary.
The Bottom Line
Many babies begin sleeping for longer stretches around four to six months, but sleeping through the night doesn't happen on one predictable schedule. And it doesn't always mean your baby never wakes.
A baby who feeds well, grows appropriately, and occasionally needs help settling may be developing normally even if nights aren't perfectly uninterrupted.
Focus on safe sleep, responsive feeding, and a manageable bedtime routine instead of comparing your baby with someone else's.
Longer nights may come gradually, with occasional setbacks along the way.
Until then, you don't need to solve every wake-up or turn sleep into another test you have to pass.
Medical References
A Note From Numebaby: This article provides general infant sleep education and does not replace individualized pediatric advice. Nighttime sleep and feeding needs vary with age, growth, development and medical history. Always follow safe sleep recommendations and consult your child's healthcare professional about feeding, growth or persistent sleep concerns.
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