when can babies sleep through the night

Most babies are physically able to sleep longer stretches at night somewhere between about 4 and 6 months, but many don’t consistently “sleep through the night” until closer to 6–12 months, and some still wake beyond their first birthday. What counts as “sleeping through” is usually 6–8 hours in a row, not a perfect 12-hour blackout with zero brief wakings.

What “sleeping through the night” really means

• Many experts define it as about 6–8 uninterrupted hours without needing a parent, not zero wakings at all.

• Babies, like adults, naturally rouse between sleep cycles several times a night and may or may not call out.

Typical age ranges by month

• 0–3 months: Newborns wake frequently to feed; stretches are often only 2–4 hours, even at night.

• Around 3 months: Some babies start giving 5–6 hour stretches, but most still need 1–2 night feeds.

• 4–6 months: Many are developmentally able to sleep 7–8 hours without feeding, though plenty still wake.

• 6–12 months: A growing share can do long stretches or “through the night,” but 25–40% may still wake regularly.

• After 12 months: Many toddlers sleep 11–14 total hours per day, with most of that overnight, though illnesses, teething, and regressions still disrupt sleep.

Factors that influence when it happens

• Feeding needs and weight: Babies who no longer need night feeds (often around 4–6 months) are more capable of long stretches.

• Temperament: Some babies are naturally more wakeful or sensitive to discomfort and change.

• Sleep habits: Late naps, inconsistent bedtimes, and lots of help falling asleep can all keep night wakings going.

• Developmental leaps: Rolling, crawling, teething, and separation anxiety often cause temporary regressions even after a baby was “sleeping through.”

Gentle things that can help

• Create a simple, predictable bedtime routine (feed, bath, pajamas, story, cuddles, bed).

• Aim for an age-appropriate bedtime and naps so baby isn’t wildly overtired or undertired.

• Put baby down drowsy but awake when possible, so falling back to sleep between cycles feels more familiar.

• Keep nights calm and boring: low lights, few words, and quick, consistent responses.

What forums and current chatter say

• Many parents on recent forums report their breastfed babies still waking 2–3 times a night at 8–10 months, even without any clear “problem.”

• Others share that their babies suddenly started doing long stretches around 5–7 months after a routine tweak, starting solids, or dropping a late nap.

• A recurring theme in 2025 blog posts and coaching sites is that sleep is a skill that can be supported—not a single milestone that all babies hit on schedule.

Bottom line: most babies can sleep through the night sometime in the second half of the first year, but “normal” includes lots of night waking well past 6 months. If there are concerns about weight gain, breathing, or very unsettled sleep, checking in with a pediatrician is always recommended.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.