When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night? A Month-by-Month Guide for New Parents

One of the most common questions new parents ask is ? 👉 “When will my baby finally sleep through the night?”

If you're sleep-deprived and searching for answers at 2 a.m., you're not alone. The good news? All babies get there eventually — but it’s a gradual process. In this blog, we'll walk you through month-by-month sleep expectations, developmental milestones, and tips to help your baby (and you!) get better rest.

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🐣 Newborns (0–2 Months)

Total sleep: 14–17 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: 2–4 hours at a time

💤 What's Happening:

• Newborns have tiny stomachs and need to eat every 2–3 hours.

• Their internal clocks (circadian rhythms) aren’t developed yet.

• Sleep is erratic — think of it more as a series of naps, day and night.

✅ Tips:

• Start to differentiate day and night (lights and activity during the day; dark and quiet at night).

• Don’t stress about schedules — just respond to your baby’s cues.

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👶 2–3 Months

Total sleep: 14–16 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: 3–6 hours

💤 What's Happening:

• Baby may start sleeping in longer stretches at night.

• Feeding needs are still frequent, but sleep starts to organize into patterns.

✅ Tips:

• Introduce a gentle bedtime routine (bath, story, lullaby).

• Begin placing baby down drowsy but awake to encourage self-soothing.

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👶 4–5 Months

Total sleep: 12–16 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: 6–8 hours (some babies)

💤 What's Happening:

• Circadian rhythms are more developed.

• Some babies begin to sleep through the night (defined as 6–8 hours).

✅ Tips:

• Sleep training can begin now (if you choose).

• Watch for signs of the 4-month sleep regression — a temporary disruption in sleep.

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🍼 6–7 Months

Total sleep: 12–15 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: 8–10 hours (often with one feeding)

💤 What's Happening:

• Many babies can go 6–8 hours without feeding.

• Bedtime routines become more powerful cues for sleep.

✅ Tips:

• Try to put your baby to bed at the same time every night.

• Be consistent with naps to support nighttime sleep.

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🍼 8–9 Months

Total sleep: 12–15 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: Up to 10–12 hours

💤 What's Happening:

• Separation anxiety may cause nighttime wakings.

• Teething and developmental milestones (like crawling) can temporarily disrupt sleep.

✅ Tips:

• Reassure your baby during wakeups but avoid picking them up every time.

• Keep the bedtime routine calming and predictable.

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👣 10–12 Months

Total sleep: 12–14 hours per dayNighttime sleep stretch: 10–12 hours

💤 What's Happening:

• Most babies can sleep through the night without feeding.

• Sleep regressions might pop up again around 10 or 12 months.

✅ Tips:

• Stick to consistent routines.

• Consider sleep training methods if needed (Gentle sleep training Method.)

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🎉 12+ Months (Toddlers)

Total sleep: 12–14 hours (1–2 naps + nighttime)

Nighttime sleep stretch: 10–12 hours

💤 What's Happening:

• Most toddlers are excellent nighttime sleepers.

• One or two daytime naps are common until around 18 months.

✅ Tips:

• Keep bedtime rituals short, sweet, and consistent.

• Avoid screen time before bed.

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💡 Final Thoughts: Every Baby Is Different

While some babies start sleeping through the night as early as 3 months, others take closer to a year. Your baby’s temperament, feeding needs, and environment all play a role. The key is to stay consistent, stay calm, and know that this phase doesn’t last forever.

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📌 Quick Reference Chart

Age Range	Night Sleep Stretch	Total Sleep (24 hrs)
0–2 months	2–4 hours	17-19 hrs
2–3 months	3–6 hours	16-18 hrs
4–5 months	6–8 hours	14–16 hrs
6–7 months	8–10 hours	14–15 hrs
8–9 months	10–12 hours	12–15 hrs
10–12 months	10–12 hours	12–15 hrs
12+ months	10–12 hours	12–15 hrs

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Check out our other baby sleep guides HERE