When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?

"When will my baby sleep through the night?"

It's one of the most common questions parents ask, especially during those long nights when frequent wake-ups leave everyone feeling exhausted.

But surprisingly, age isn't the first thing to consider.

In this article, Dr Kexin Ng, Paediatrician, Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant and Certified Jai Parent Coach, explains why there isn't a single age when every baby should start sleeping through the night—and what parents should look at instead.

Is There a "Right" Age to Sleep Through the Night?

There isn't a magical age when every baby suddenly starts sleeping through the night.

For example, some 4-month-old babies may develop independent sleep skills and eventually sleep for 12 hours at night. Meanwhile, some 9- or 10-month-old babies may already have those same independent sleep skills but still wake once during the night for a feed.

Both situations can be completely normal.

Rather than asking whether your baby has reached a certain age, it's more helpful to look at whether they are ready for longer stretches of sleep and whether they are able to return to sleep independently.

What Does "Sleeping Through the Night" Actually Mean?

When parents hear "sleeping through the night", they often imagine their baby sleeping for a long, uninterrupted stretch without waking.

However, babies naturally wake between sleep cycles. The important question isn't necessarily whether your baby wakes, but what happens when they wake.

A baby may briefly wake between sleep cycles and return to sleep independently. Another baby may wake and need to be fed, rocked, bounced or given a pacifier before falling asleep again.

Understanding this difference can help parents identify what's actually affecting their baby's sleep.

Ready vs Able: What's the Difference?

When considering whether a baby is ready to sleep through the night, there are two important questions to ask:

1. Is Your Baby Ready?

First, consider whether your baby still genuinely needs calories overnight.

When assessing readiness for night weaning, factors such as these may be considered:

• Your baby's age

• Weight and growth pattern

• Milk and calorie intake during the day

• Any feeding concerns

• Any medical concerns

Being a certain age or reaching a particular weight does not automatically mean that a baby is ready to stop feeding at night.

Some babies may still genuinely need a night feed, and that's okay.

2. Is Your Baby Able?

The second question is whether your baby has the sleep skills needed to fall asleep and return to sleep independently.

A baby may have the ability to sleep independently but still need a night feed because they require those calories.

On the other hand, if a baby wakes frequently throughout the night and needs to be fed, rocked, bounced or given a pacifier every time they wake, not every waking is necessarily caused by hunger.

Sometimes, they simply haven't yet developed the skills to settle themselves back to sleep.

Independent Sleep Doesn't Always Mean No Night Feeds

One important distinction for parents to understand is that being able to sleep independently and being ready to go all night without calories are two different things.

A baby can have the skills to fall asleep independently and connect their sleep cycles while still genuinely needing a night feed.

There is no need to force a baby to drop a feed simply because they have reached a certain age.

When a baby is developmentally ready to stop needing that feed, many babies naturally begin sleeping through the night—especially when they already have the skills to return to sleep independently.

So, What's Waking Your Baby?

Instead of focusing only on "How old is my baby?", consider these two questions:

Is my baby READY?

Do they still genuinely need calories overnight? Consider their age, growth, weight, daytime milk intake and any feeding or medical concerns.

Is my baby ABLE?

Do they have the sleep skills to fall asleep and return to sleep independently?

Looking at both readiness and ability can provide a much clearer picture of why your baby may still be waking during the night.

When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?

There isn't one answer that applies to every baby.

Your baby may sleep through the night when they are developmentally ready and have the skills to do so.

Instead of asking:

"Should my baby be sleeping through the night by now?"

Try asking:

"What is actually waking my baby—hunger, or needing help to get back to sleep?"

That question may tell you much more than your baby's age alone.

About the Expert

Dr Kexin Ng is a Paediatrician, Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant and Certified Jai Parent Coach. She supports parents in understanding their children's sleep needs and navigating common sleep concerns with an individualised approach.