How Can I Get My Baby to Sleep Through the Night?
As a new parent, you’ve probably asked this question more times than you can count. Sleep deprivation can be overwhelming and affect your well-being. Trust me, I’ve been there too.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what constitutes typical night wakings, address common reasons babies wake up, and provide practical tips to help your baby (and you) get a better night’s sleep. Let’s dive in!
What Does “Sleeping Through the Night” Mean?
“Sleeping through the night” varies for every family. For some, it means waking only for feeds, while others may consider a 6-8 hour stretch as success. Some families aim for an 11-12 hour stretch with no night wakings.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—what matters is what works best for your family. If your one-year-old still wakes for a nighttime feed and you’re okay with it, there’s no need to rush changes, even if your pediatrician says it’s okay to drop night feeds.
It’s also important to note that most newborns (under 4 months) aren’t developmentally ready to sleep through the night due to their sleep structure and lack of circadian rhythm. If your newborn is already giving you longer stretches, that’s great! But remember, it often depends more on your baby’s temperament than on what you’re doing or not doing.
Here is helpful post that covers what realistic newborn sleep expectations and helpful tips!
Scheduling & Sleep Needs
A common myth is that keeping babies up later will help them sleep better at night. This isn’t true. Babies need their sleep needs to be met during the day to sleep well at night.
Think of it like filling a balloon. To keep the balloon (your baby’s sleep) properly inflated, it needs the right amount of air. If your baby gets too much awake time (too much air), the balloon can pop, leading to a fussy, overtired baby. On the other hand, if your baby gets too much daytime sleep (the balloon is only half-full), they might not be tired enough to sleep well at night.
It’s crucial to balance daytime sleep with wake times. To learn more about wake windows and how to determine the right amount of sleep for your baby, check out our detailed guide on wake windows.
Here is a chart to give you a place to start. It outlines average wake windows, total daytime sleep, and nighttime sleep for different ages.
These are general averages, and the range can be quite broad. Some babies may need more sleep with shorter wake times, while others may require less sleep with longer wake periods. Tune into your baby’s individual cues and find what works best for them.
Hunger
It’s normal for babies to wake up to eat throughout the night, especially if they’re younger than 6-7 months. Here’s a general guide for nighttime feeds by age:
0-8 weeks: 3-4 feeds, waking every 2-4 hours
8-16 weeks: 2-3 feeds, waking every 3+ hours
4-6 months: 1-2 feeds
6-9 months: 1 feed
9+ months: 0-1 feed
For babies over 6 months, if they wake up early in the morning, feed them and then get them back to bed until a more reasonable hour (usually after 6 AM).
When your baby wakes up during the night, especially earlier than usual, pause to assess. Look for hunger cues. If you’re unsure, try soothing them for about 10 minutes without feeding. If they don’t settle, they may be genuinely hungry.
Consult with your pediatrician about when to drop overnight feeds. Both breastfed and bottle-fed babies can learn to sleep through the night.
Habit
By 9 months, most babies don’t need night feeds, although some may be cleared by their pediatrician to go without them earlier. If your baby wakes up and isn’t hungry, they might be waking out of habit.
Start by reviewing your schedule and teaching your baby independent sleep skills. A solid schedule and sleep skills can often reduce night wakings. If your baby is more persistent, consider these night-weaning methods:
Gradual Weaning
Wait and Assess: When your baby wakes, give them a few minutes to see if they can resettle on their own.
Reduce Feed Amount: If they don’t settle, offer less milk than usual. For bottle feeding, reduce the amount by an ounce every few nights. For breastfeeding, offer one side or shorten the feeding time.
Rock to Sleep: After feeding, rock your baby to sleep. Gradually reduce the amount of milk given over 2-4 weeks.
Modified Weaning
Timed Check-ins: Set one or two 10-15 minute intervals with check-ins to see if your baby can self-soothe and return to sleep.
Soothing: After the intervals, rock or soothe your baby back to sleep. This method usually takes 1-2 weeks to drop a feed.
Accelerated Weaning
Extended Protest: Allow up to an hour of protesting for your baby to self-soothe. Use three 20-minute intervals, two 30-minute intervals, or one 60-minute interval with check-ins.
Soothing: After the intervals, rock or soothe your baby back to sleep. The feed is typically dropped within a week.
Choose the weaning method that feels right for your family and that will be most successful for your baby. If you you’re not ready to wean, that is totally fine, too.
Independent Sleep Skills & Sleep Training
An essential part of “sleeping through the night” is whether your baby has independent sleep skills. We all go through sleep cycles, transitioning from light to deep sleep. If your baby relies on sleep associations (like rocking or feeding) to fall asleep, they might need the same association to get back to sleep when they wake between cycles.
Teaching your baby to fall asleep independently helps them manage these transitions more effectively. Sleep training can be transformative, and methods range from gradual, association-fading techniques to accelerated, cry-it-out methods. Each baby is unique, so it is key to find the method that is alignment with your parenting style and baby’s learning styles.
At The Baby Sleep Haven, we offer personalized sleep consultations to help you choose the best approach for you and your baby.
Personalized Sleep Support
If you’re struggling with sleep deprivation and unsure where to start, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Better sleep is within reach and can make a significant difference in your life and parenting experience.
Check out our support options to learn more and sleep through the night!
