Answering the Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Baby Sleep Questions

As a parent, you’ve likely found yourself awake at night, Googling answers to why your little one isn’t sleeping. Whether it’s understanding when your baby will sleep through the night, or tackling sleep regressions, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the 10 most common baby sleep questions and help you get the rest you and your baby need.

1.When do babies start 'sleeping through the night'?

Many parents wonder when their baby will start sleeping through the night, which I get! As a new parent, you’ve probably quickly realized why baby sleep is such a hot topic. At the earliest, some babies achieve this milestone between 3-6 months, but it varies greatly. "Sleeping through the night" can also mean different things to different families—anywhere from a 6-8 hour stretch to a full 11-12 hours without waking.

Understanding your baby’s unique sleep needs, following an age-appropriate schedule, and addressing factors like hunger or sleep associations are key to helping your baby sleep longer stretches and eventually “sleep through the night.”. Sleep training methods, from gradual to accelerated approaches, are often a pivotal tool in helping babies learn how to fall asleep independently and as a result, sleep longer and more consistently. 

Curious about how to make it happen? Read the full blog post here for in-depth insights!

2. How long should a newborn sleep each day?

Newborns typically sleep around 14-17 hours in a 24-hour period, often in short stretches. For naps, you can expect them to sleep a total of 5-8 hours, with the nap length ranging from 20 minutes to a couple of hours. Most newborns will sleep 9-10 hours at night (broken for feeds) and do better with a bedtime between 9-11 PM. 

Until about 6-8 weeks of age, your baby will probably snooze on and off pretty effortlessly. Around 6-8 weeks, you may notice your baby “waking up” and becoming more sensitive to overstimulation. At this point, you may have to make more of an effort to help them to sleep and move their sleep space into a darker, quieter room. 

3. What is a 'dream feed'?

• A dream feed involves feeding your baby late in the evening, usually around 10 or 11 PM, without fully waking them, to encourage longer sleep stretches.

The effectiveness of dream feeds varies and really the only way to know if it will work for your baby is to give it a try! Dream feeds might interrupt your baby’s natural sleep cycle or not be effective if they aren't fully awake to feed well. If you're considering a dream feed, give it a try for 3-5 days and observe the results. If it doesn’t help, it’s okay to stop.

4. What is a sleep regression?

Sleep regression refers to a period when a baby who has been sleeping well suddenly starts waking frequently or has trouble sleeping, often coinciding with developmental milestones.

The only regression that will permanently affect your baby’s sleep is the “four month” regression. As newborns, babies experience only two stages of sleep: quiet and active sleep. Their sleep is like splashing around in a kiddie pool—shallow and easy to navigate.

Around 3-5 months (aka the four month regression), your baby’s sleep structure matures. Their circadian rhythm begins to develop, and hormones like cortisol and melatonin start regulating wakefulness and sleepiness. This means your baby can now experience deeper, more restorative sleep, including three stages of NREM sleep and one stage of REM (active) sleep.

The most common ages for regressions are 6-8 weeks, between 3-5 months, 8 months, 10 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 2 years. Take heart in knowing that your baby will probably not go through every single regression!

5. Is it safe for my baby to sleep on their stomach?

To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you  place babies on their backs to sleep for the first year. 

Once your baby can roll over independently, they will likely flip onto their stomach (as many babies prefer to sleep on their tummy). When start doing that, you can leave them there as they are strong enough to move themselves back onto their back as needed. 

6. When should I stop swaddling my baby?

It’s time to drop the swaddle when baby starts showing signs of rolling or when you decide to start sleep learning (most babies love to suck on a hand and will benefit from having one or both free). Most babies will hit the rolling milestone between 3-6 months of age. 

If you’re ready to drop the swaddle, here are 3 steps to transition to a sleep sack: 

• Start by swaddling baby with one arm out. If your baby favors sucking on a specific hand, start with that one.

• A few days later, swaddle baby with both arms out, but keep their chest nice and snug. 

• In a few more days, drop the swaddle completely and you’ve got yourself an unswaddled baby! 

7. When should I introduce a bedtime routine?

You can introduce a bedtime routine as early as the first few weeks! Around 4 months, many babies will benefit from having some sort of nighttime routine. 

A consistent routine supports not just sleep, but also language development, future academic achievement, and social-emotional functioning (see reference).

Newborn bedtime routines can be simple (such as feed, burp, and swaddle). As your baby grows, the routine will likely lengthen and develop.

Here are some ideas of what you could include:

• Diaper change or bathroom time

• Nurse, bottle, or bedtime snack

• Pajamas on

• Brush those little teeth

• Read a bedtime story

• Sing a lullaby

• Enjoy some massage or cuddles

• Swaddle or use a sleep sack

• Dim the lights and turn on white noise

• Say prayers or positive affirmations

Don’t feel like you need to include all of these elements into your bedtime. Find what works for you and your little one and implement it consistently. 

8. Will starting solids help my baby sleep through the night?

Introducing solids doesn't necessarily lead to longer sleep and can sometimes disrupt sleep if started too early.

Tummy troubles can exacerbate sleep issues and sometimes an early introduction of solids can contribute to tummy issues. Check with your pediatrician to determine the right time to start solids and the amount for your little one. 

9. How can I create an optimal sleep environment for my baby?

There are three main components that make up an ideal sleep environment for babies aged 2-24 months: dark, quiet, and cool. For babies younger than 8 weeks, it’s best for them to nap in a lighter, noisier space during the day and sleep in a darker, quieter space at night. This helps set their developing circadian rhythm and begin orienting their days and nights. 

Incorporating tools like blackout curtains, sound machines, and sleep sacks can all be helpful in creating the optimal sleep space. 

10. Why won't my baby sleep?

There are so many factors that go into why babies don’t sleep well. They include temperament, hunger, discomfort, scheduling mismatch (schedule doesn’t fit baby’s needs), overstimulation, developmental milestones, unsustainable sleep associations, and the list could go on.

First and foremost, you aren’t doing anything wrong, you are likely doing so many things right! Babies have different areas they struggle in, and for some babies that is sleep. This is where working with a sleep consultant can be so helpful, because we have experience and training to point out small changes that can make a world of difference.

Conclusion 

Baby sleep can feel all-consuming. I’ve been there, constantly searching for solutions. But you deserve restful nights and peace in your parenting journey. Better sleep is possible and can transform your family's life. 

If you’re ready to move beyond endless Googling, let’s work together! My Complete Nap Guide (which can help eliminate so much guess work with over 50 pages of information) and personalized consultations are here to help you get the best sleep possible!