When Do Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night?

Wondering when you'll finally get a full night's rest again? You're not alone. One of the most common questions new parents ask is: When will my baby sleep through the night? While every child is different, most babies begin to sleep for longer stretches at about 8 to 9 months of age. But what is considered sleeping through the night—and how can you help your little one get there?

In this guide, we’ll answer common parent questions like:

• What is considered sleeping through the night for a baby?

• What age do babies sleep through the night—and is 2 or 3 months too soon?

• How to get a baby to sleep through the night naturally

• What can I give my baby to sleep better at night?

Whether you're dealing with a 2-month-old sleeping in short bursts or wondering how long until your newborn sleeps through the night, we've got expert-backed tips and answers to help you—and your baby—get better rest.

What Is Considered Sleeping Through the Night for a Baby?

The question “When will my baby sleep through the night?” is somewhat misleading, as no one sleeps through the night completely—not even adults! There will always be periods of wakefulness and returning to sleep, which are part of normal and natural sleep cycles. But many children's health experts, as well as parents, consider a baby sleeping roughly six to eight hours at a time to be “sleeping through the night.” 

What’s more important to remember is that both daytime and nighttime sleep are essential for your baby’s development. So, if your little one isn’t catching all their necessary Zs at night, daytime naps can help make up for it.

When Do Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night?

If sleeping through the night is defined as snoozing for at least six to eight hours at a time, then sleepy parents can look forward to when their child turns 8 or 9 months. This is when it’s typical for babies to start sleeping for longer stretches; if they do wake up, it’s more likely that they’ll fall back asleep on their own.

Oftentimes, if babies can wake up during the night and soothe themselves back to sleep, experts might label them as “good” sleepers. But keep in mind that your baby’s sleep patterns may vary considerably throughout the first year, and getting to the point where your little one can sleep through the night is not necessarily a linear process! Your baby might be able to sleep for long stretches without issues for several weeks or even months and then revert to waking up in the night and crying out for attention—all of which is normal and expected behavior.

When Do Newborns Sleep Through the Night?

Most newborns won’t sleep through the night in the early weeks, as their tiny stomachs need frequent feeding, including during the night. It's normal for newborns to sleep in short stretches—typically 2 to 4 hours at a time—around the clock. Nighttime sleep gradually improves as babies grow. So, if your baby is 1, 2, or 3 months old and not sleeping through the night, remember, every baby is different. If you have concerns about your newborn’s sleep patterns, it's always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider.

When Do Babies Start Sleeping Longer?

Your baby’s sleep evolves as they grow. Here’s a quick guide to what you can expect if you’re wondering, “What age do babies sleep through the night?”:

• Newborns (0 to 1 Month) generally wake every 2 to 4 hours to eat, day and night. Once they gain weight consistently, they might start sleeping slightly longer stretches.

• 1 to 6 Months brings progress! By about 3 months, many babies can sleep 5 to 8 hours at night, though those longer stretches may vary. At 6 months, most start consolidating more nighttime sleep.

• 6 to 12 Months is the stage where "sleeping through the night" becomes more common, often around 8 to 9 months. Some babies can sleep 6 to 12 hours by then, though early morning wakeups might still happen.

Each baby is unique, so if sleep patterns remain challenging, it’s a good idea to chat with your baby’s healthcare provider for guidance.

Why Isn’t Your Baby Sleeping Through the Night?

There are many reasons your little one might be waking up and crying at night. Perhaps they’re hungry and need a feeding or crying out because they’re uncomfortable and need a diaper change. Or they may be crying because they miss you when they wake up and experience separation anxiety.

Nighttime Feedings and Diaper Changes

If your baby needs a diaper change or a feeding, try to do so without disturbing them too much. Use a night-light or keep the lights dim, speak in a hushed tone, and take care of things quickly so you can put your little one back to sleep. Try to avoid picking up your baby for a cuddle, which can reinforce the nighttime crying.

To help minimize nighttime disruptions, consider using Pampers Swaddlers Overnights Diapers. They’re designed with extra absorbency to keep your baby dry for up to 12 hours, helping reduce the need for frequent changes during the night—so everyone can enjoy more uninterrupted sleep.

A Note About Breastfed, Bottle-fed, and Preemie Babies 

When do breastfed babies sleep through the night, and is the timing different for formula-fed babies or premature babies? Breastfed babies tend to start sleeping through the night a little later than formula-fed babies, and they may require nighttime feedings for a longer period.

Premature babies may also take longer to develop the ability to sleep through the night, but you can help them establish good sleep habits with the strategies mentioned above, such as putting them down in their cribs before they fall asleep and creating a bedtime routine.

When weaning your baby—starting at 6 months or later—remember that bedtime and nighttime feedings are typically the last ones to eliminate. As you wean, your baby will gradually require fewer nighttime feedings.

Soothing Nighttime Crying

When your baby is still very young, experts recommend comforting them if they cry at night instead of letting them “cry it out.” You could do things like rocking your newborn for a few minutes, playing some calming music, or singing. It’s best to put your baby back into the crib and/or leave the room once they calm down but aren’t quite back to sleep yet. This will help your little one experience being in the crib alone and awake, which will help them learn how to self-soothe.

Separation Anxiety at Nighttime

Between 6 and 18 months of age, your little one might show signs of separation anxiety, which sometimes triggers sleep regression. Your baby is learning to recognize that you have gone away (even if you’re just in the next room), which may result in crying when waking up at night.

At this stage, if your baby wakes up in the night crying, give them a few minutes to self-soothe and settle back down. If the crying continues, try calming your baby with a soft pat or some gentle words to help them settle back down to sleep. It’s best to resist the urge to pick your little one up, walk with them, or take them back to bed with you.

Try to encourage self-soothing habits like thumb-sucking, but don’t give your little one objects like a favorite blankie or plush toy to sleep with until they’re at least 1 year old. Experts warn that leaving stuffed animals or blankets in your baby’s crib in the first year can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

How to Get Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night?

If you’re wondering how to get an infant to sleep all night, your baby must learn to self-soothe after waking. Self-soothing will help them fall back asleep without crying out for you. Every baby is unique, though, and many factors can affect your little one's sleep patterns, even things like your child’s genetic makeup and temperament.

Tips for Getting Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night

It's important to remember that young babies can’t sleep through the night, as they need feedings, diaper changes, and the occasional cuddle from mom or dad. Still, there are several strategies that you can use to encourage longer snoozes after putting your baby to sleep.

• Differentiate night vs. day. Help your baby understand the difference between day and night by keeping their environment bright and active during the day yet dark and quiet at night. For example, when your baby naps, put them down in an area of your home that has background noises, and at night, keep feedings and diaper changes calm and quiet.

• Establish a low-key bedtime routine. Bedtime routines can include anything calming for your baby, such as a warm bath, baby massage, cuddling, bedtime stories, lullabies, and breastfeeding or bottle-feeding just before bed. Soon, your little one will start to anticipate the routine you’ve established and associate it with going to sleep at night. During this winding-down period, keep things quiet, calm, and relaxed.

• Put your baby in the crib before they fall asleep. It’s beneficial for your baby to be alone in the crib, as it’s more likely they’ll learn to self-soothe over time and not rely on falling back asleep in your arms. At bedtime, it may help to put your baby in the crib once they’re drowsy and tired but not yet asleep, taking care to always put them down on their back. If you wake and find your baby sleeping on their stomach, just gently reposition them on their back.

• Recognize the sleep cycle signs. Don’t mistake a little “restlessness” for your baby being awake. Babies often move in their sleep, perhaps twitching their arms or making little noises. This can be a sign of your baby moving between different sleep cycles and not that they’re awakening. There’s no need to respond to these movements right away; instead, wait a few minutes to see if your baby is waking for a feeding or diaper change or if they’re still snoozing.

• Wait before checking on your baby. If your baby wakes up in the night, give them some time to settle before checking in. If they haven’t calmed down, a few reassuring words softly spoken from the bedroom doorway, or a loving pat, may be enough. If they need feeding or a diaper change, keep the atmosphere calm. Consider using a night-light, so you don’t need to turn any bright lights on and place your little one back to sleep in their crib afterward.

• Offer your toddler a security object. If you want to know what you can give your baby to sleep better at night, once your child is older than 12 months, it’s generally OK to give them a small soft toy or security blanket that can help them self-soothe in the middle of the night. 

As you prepare for your baby sleep training, which can start when your baby is around 4 to 6 months old, we recommend checking out the Sleep Fundamentals section of the Smart Sleep Coach app by Pampers.

Cocreated by pediatricians and sleep experts, this easy-to-use app teaches you everything you need to know about your baby’s sleep and how to work with their natural rhythms to help them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and reduce night waking.

When to Consult Your Child’s Healthcare Provider

Besides anxiously wondering “When do babies start sleeping through the night? ” many parents also wonder if they should worry when their little ones aren’t sleeping through the night. Remember that every child grows and develops at their own pace, so it’s OK if yours isn’t sleeping through the night yet at 8 or 9 months.

Contact their healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby’s sleep schedule. It’s also a good idea to contact the provider if your baby is waking up frequently in the night at 6 months or older.

The Bottom Line

Sleeping through the night is a milestone that will come with time and patience. Create an environment that encourages longer sleep for your child.

So, when do babies start sleeping through the night (and when will you start getting more sleep at night, too)? At around 8 or 9 months, babies may start to sleep for longer blocks of time more consistently. It will take time to string together multiple nights of longer sleep, but you can anticipate a gradual improvement over time.

What’s considered sleeping through the night? Experts suggest that “sleeping through the night” means snoozing for at least five to eight hours without waking for feedings, diapering, or soothing. Even if your little sleeper reaches eight hours, putting them down at 8 p.m. means a 4 a.m. wake-up call for you! Remember to stay patient and try to take naps yourself during the day.

Although you may feel sleep-deprived now, this period of sleepless nights will eventually pass. Hang in there! In the meantime, earn rewards for all the late-night diaper changes with the Pampers Rewards app.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}