How to get your baby to sleep through the night
If you’ve searched “how to get my baby to sleep through the night,” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions parents ask, especially during those exhausting weeks and months of broken sleep.
You may be wondering:
- Why does my baby keep waking?
- Should they be sleeping for longer by now?
- Am I doing something wrong?
The reassuring news is that night waking is a normal part of infant development. Babies are not born with mature sleep patterns, and learning to sleep for longer stretches happens gradually as they grow.
While there is no magic solution that works for every baby, understanding how sleep develops and creating healthy sleep habits can make a real difference.
What does “sleeping through the night” actually mean?
Many parents imagine that sleeping through the night means a baby sleeping peacefully for 10 to 12 hours without waking.
In reality, research studies have used different definitions. Some define “sleeping through the night” as a continuous five-hour stretch of sleep, while others use longer periods. This differs considerably from what many parents expect.
Babies naturally wake briefly between sleep cycles, just as adults do. The difference is that young babies often need help settling back to sleep.
Why do babies wake during the night?
Night waking isn’t usually a sign that something is wrong. It reflects how babies are designed to sleep.
Young babies wake because they:
- need feeding
- have short sleep cycles
- are still developing their internal body clock
- spend more time in lighter stages of sleep
- seek comfort and reassurance from their parents
As babies mature, their sleep gradually becomes more organised, and many begin to sleep for longer stretches.
Every baby is different
One of the biggest myths about baby sleep is that all babies should sleep through the night by a certain age.
In reality, sleep is influenced by many factors, including:
- age and stage of development
- feeding needs
- temperament
- genetics
- health and wellbeing
- family routines
Some babies naturally sleep for longer stretches earlier than others. Both can be completely normal.
Supporting your baby’s sleep
Although you can’t make a baby sleep before they are developmentally ready, you can create the right conditions for healthy sleep.
Simple ways to support your baby’s sleep include:
Create a calming bedtime routine
A predictable routine helps signal that bedtime is approaching.
Encourage day and night differences
Natural daylight, play and interaction during the day, alongside a calm, dimly lit environment at night, help babies develop their body clock.
Make sure your baby isn’t overtired
Appropriate daytime naps often lead to better night-time sleep.
Respond consistently
Babies thrive on loving, predictable responses that help them feel secure while gradually developing their own settling skills.
Remember: young babies are designed to wake
Many parents worry that frequent waking means they have created a “bad habit.”
In fact, young babies have immature sleep and arousal systems. Waking during the night is a normal part of early development and helps ensure their needs for feeding, comfort and safety are met.
Following safer sleep guidance—including placing your baby on their back to sleep, using a firm, flat sleep surface and sharing a room (but not a bed) for the first six months—remains one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
When should you seek help?
While night waking is normal, there are times when extra support can help. If your baby’s sleep is leaving your family exhausted, affecting your wellbeing or becoming increasingly difficult to manage, it may be helpful to seek professional advice.
At Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic, our team of qualified health professionals takes a holistic approach to children’s sleep. We look beyond the waking itself, considering your baby’s development, health, temperament and family circumstances to create gentle, personalised sleep plans that work for your family.
Looking for more support?
You may also find these articles helpful:
- Why Does My Baby Wake So Much at Night? (coming soon)
- When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night? (coming soon)
- How to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer at Night (coming soon)
- Understanding the 4-Month Sleep Regression (coming soon)
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