When do babies sleep through the night?

'Through the night' in pediatric research usually means 5 hours. Roughly half of healthy 6 month olds do a 5 hour stretch. A full uninterrupted 10 to 12 hours is not typical until 1 to 3 years, and many children still wake occasionally past that.

Should I feed every waking?

Under 6 months, usually yes. Over 6 months, feeding every waking can become the wake driver. Check with your pediatrician before making changes.

What is 'split nights'?

Awake for 1 to 3 hours in the middle of the night, then back to sleep. Usually caused by too much day sleep, too early a bedtime, or too much time in bed. Fix the daytime first.

Is it OK to bring my baby into my bed to sleep?

Under 12 months, bedsharing is not AAP-recommended. Over 12 months, it becomes safer and is a family choice. See the co-sleeping page for the full safety picture.

My toddler wakes at the same time every night, why?

Very consistent timing points to sleep-cycle transition, sleep debt, or environmental cues (heating turning off, sun coming up). Track for a week.

Can medical issues cause night wakings?

Yes. Reflux, cow's milk allergy, ear infection, eczema, obstructive sleep apnea (snoring, pauses, mouth breathing), and iron deficiency can all disrupt sleep. Worth mentioning if wakings are persistent.

How much crying is OK when I try to help?

None is 'required.' If your baby is escalating rather than settling with what you are trying, change tactic, not intensity.

When to call the pediatrician about night wakings?

Persistent unexplained disruption past 6 weeks, snoring or gasping in sleep, mouth breathing, restlessness, unusual sweating, feeding refusal, or any concern outside sleep itself.

Night Wakings, by Age

Some night waking is normal at every age under 3. Newborns wake to feed every 2 to 4 hours. 4 to 6 month olds wake between cycles as sleep restructures. Toddlers wake for connection, thirst, fear, or overtired. Persistent unexplained wakings past 6 weeks, snoring, or gasping are worth calling your pediatrician about.

Medically reviewed by [PLACEHOLDER NAME], [PLACEHOLDER CREDENTIAL] · Reviewer pending; a licensed pediatric clinician (pediatrician, pediatric sleep consultant, or registered pediatric nurse) is scheduled to review. Content follows current AAP guidance. Last content update: July 24, 2026.

Definition

Night waking = any wake between the start of night sleep and morning. Brief 'wake between cycles' arousals happen for everyone, adults included. The question is not whether they happen but whether the child can return to sleep and whether the family is functioning.

What it looks like in practice

1. Newborn: hunger-driven, every 2 to 4 hours
Normal and required. Do not try to space feeds under 3 months without pediatric guidance.
2. 3 to 6 months: regression, sleep restructuring
The 4 month shift makes brief wakes between cycles more noticeable. Usually settles by 6 months.
3. 6 to 12 months: separation anxiety, teething, motor practice
Wakings often cluster with developmental leaps. See the 8 month regression page.
4. 12 to 24 months: bedtime resistance, fears, overtired
The most common driver for a settled toddler suddenly waking is being overtired. Try earlier bedtime for a week before anything else.

Research and outcomes

Even 'good sleepers' briefly arouse 4 to 6 times per night at every age (Ferber, Mindell). What distinguishes 'wakes' from 'arousals' is the child's ability to return to sleep. Persistent problematic waking correlates strongly with wake window mismatch, feed timing, room environment, and (in a minority) medical drivers like reflux, allergy, or sleep-disordered breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Back to Sleep

This page is part of the sleep pillar.

Night Wakings, by Age

Definition

What it looks like in practice

1. Newborn: hunger-driven, every 2 to 4 hours

2. 3 to 6 months: regression, sleep restructuring

3. 6 to 12 months: separation anxiety, teething, motor practice

4. 12 to 24 months: bedtime resistance, fears, overtired