Having a newborn can be an exciting but exhausting experience for new parents. Sleepless nights caring for a baby are common in the first few months. Newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours, even throughout the night. This results in frequent wakeups and feedings that disrupt parents’ sleep. Luckily, this phase doesn’t last forever. Here’s what to expect when it comes to sleepless nights with a newborn.
When do babies start sleeping through the night?
Most babies don’t sleep through the night, meaning a stretch of 6-8 hours of continuous sleep, until 3-4 months of age or older. However, every baby is different. Some may start sleeping longer stretches sooner, while others may take longer.
Newborns initially sleep in spurts of just 2-3 hours around the clock. By 1 month of age, babies need an average of 14-17 hours of sleep total in a 24 hour period. They typically sleep for 3-4 hours at a time on average, with feedings in between.
By 2 months old, a baby’s sleep starts to show more patterns and they may sleep for one longer 5 hour stretch at night. However, that one longer sleep is usually followed by more frequent wakings later in the night.
At 3-4 months old, babies need 14-15 hours of total sleep. They typically take 3-4 naps per day lasting 30 minutes – 2 hours. Night sleep starts to improve, with babies sleeping for one long 6-8 hour stretch on average.
By 6 months old, most babies only need 2 naps per day and sleep a total of around 14 hours. At this age, babies may sleep through the night regularly.
Tips for surviving sleepless nights
Coping with sleep deprivation in the early months can be a huge challenge. Here are some tips to get through this difficult period:
- Take naps when the baby sleeps during the day
- Go to bed early to maximize nighttime sleep
- Accept help from family or friends for childcare
- Take shifts with your partner – one sleeps while the other handles night feedings
- Stay hydrated and eat healthy
- Get outside for some fresh air when possible
- Lower standards for housework
- Remember this phase is temporary!
Reasons babies wake at night
There are several reasons why newborns and babies up to 6 months wake frequently at night:
- Hunger – babies need night feedings, especially in the early months when their stomachs are small.
- Discomfort – a wet diaper, gas, or overtiredness can wake baby.
- Light sleep – newborns have immature sleep cycles with more active REM sleep.
- Sleep transitions – moving between sleep cycles can rouse them.
- Growth spurts – needing extra feedings to support development.
- Habit – babies learn to associate feedings with falling back to sleep.
Understanding what’s waking your baby at night helps you respond appropriately to their needs.
When to call the doctor about sleep issues
While night wakings are developmentally normal in babies under 6 months, consult your pediatrician if:
- Your baby is still waking hourly after 6 months old
- Sleep is disrupted for 2+ weeks with no identifiable reason
- Your baby seems excessively sleepy or tired during the day
- You have concerns about breathing pauses, snoring, or choking
Your doctor can help rule out any underlying issues, and provide guidance on healthy sleep habits.
Establishing healthy sleep habits
You can start encouraging healthy sleep habits right from the newborn stage:
- Put baby to bed drowsy but awake to self-soothe
- Have a calming pre-bedtime routine like a bath, book, song
- Keep the sleep space dark, cool and quiet
- Use white noise to drown out disruptive sounds
- Ensure baby isn’t too hot or cold while sleeping
- Make daytime feeds social and night feeds all business
- Watch wake windows to avoid overtiredness
- Put baby down in the same sleeping space consistently
Healthy sleep habits and patterns take time to develop. Be patient and consistent with your approach.
Changes and regression periods
Even after your baby starts sleeping through the night, there will likely be periods of sleep disruptions. Common times for sleep regressions include:
- 4 months – growth spurts and developmental milestones disrupt sleep
- 8-10 months – separation anxiety and mobility milestones throw off sleep
- 12 months – sleep cycles change and drop to one nap
- 18 months – drops to no naps and transitions to one long night sleep
Regressions are temporary and you can get through them by reinforcing healthy sleep habits. Stay consistent with bedtime routines, watch wake windows, and use strategies like white noise to help reconnect sleep cycles.
How parents can get better sleep
Beyond survival mode in the newborn period, parents can optimize their own sleep as baby matures:
- Room share until 6 months, then move baby into their own space
- Take advantage of long first stretch of night sleep
- Nap when baby naps until they drop to one nap
- Split night duties fairly with your partner
- Use white noise for your own sleep when baby stirs
- Wear earplugs if your sleep is sensitive to noises
- Keep essentials by your bed so you don’t have to get up
- Ask family/friends to take baby for an overnight
Prioritizing your sleep needs makes you a better parent during the demanding infant stage.
Conclusion
The frequent night wakings and feedings of a newborn can severely disrupt sleep for parents. But take heart, in time, your baby’s sleep will improve. The first smile, laugh and “sleeping through the night” milestones make the sleep deprivation worth it.
In the difficult early months, nap when you can, trade off with your partner, and take any help offered. Establishing healthy sleep habits sets you up for better long-term sleep. Regressions will happen, but have patience and consistency. This too shall pass!