Baby Not Sleeping Through the Night
The short answer
Waking during the night is biologically normal for babies and does not mean something is wrong. Most babies are not developmentally ready to sleep a full 8-12 hour stretch until at least 6 months of age, and many healthy babies continue to wake once or twice a night well into the first year.
By Age
What to expect by age
Newborns are supposed to wake frequently. Their tiny stomachs need refilling every 2-4 hours, and their sleep cycles are only about 40-50 minutes long. Night waking at this age is a protective mechanism and a sign of healthy development, not a problem to solve.
Sleep architecture is maturing and many babies begin to consolidate longer stretches at night, but 1-3 night wakings are still completely normal. The well-known "4-month sleep regression" is actually a permanent shift in sleep patterns, so things may feel harder before they get easier.
Some babies this age can go 6-8 hours without a feed, but many still benefit from one overnight feed. Teething, separation anxiety, and new motor skills like sitting and crawling can all temporarily increase night waking. If your baby was sleeping longer stretches and starts waking more, it is usually developmental and passes.
By now, most babies are physiologically capable of going without overnight feeds, though some still genuinely need one. Sleep disruptions at this age are commonly linked to standing, cruising, and the major cognitive leap of object permanence. Consistent, gentle bedtime routines continue to be the most evidence-based approach.
Toddlers who still wake once at night are within the range of normal, especially during illness, teething, or big transitions like dropping to one nap. If your toddler is waking frequently and seems truly distressed or excessively tired during the day, mention it to your pediatrician to rule out things like ear infections, reflux, or obstructive sleep issues.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 6 months and wakes to feed during the night
- Night waking increased around a developmental milestone like rolling, sitting, or crawling
- Your baby wakes briefly but settles back to sleep within a few minutes with minimal help
- Night waking coincides with teething, illness, or a schedule change like travel or daylight saving time
- Your baby is growing well, happy during the day, and meeting milestones
- Your baby is over 9 months and waking more than 3-4 times per night consistently, and you're concerned about how it's affecting their daytime function or your own wellbeing
- Your baby seems to wake gasping, choking, or with very noisy breathing
- You've noticed your baby is excessively sleepy during the day despite seemingly spending enough time in bed at night
- Night wakings are accompanied by inconsolable crying that lasts more than 30 minutes and you can't identify a cause
- Your baby stops breathing during sleep or has pauses in breathing that last longer than 20 seconds
- Your baby is very difficult to wake from sleep, seems limp, or has a blue or grey tinge around the lips
- Night waking is accompanied by a high fever, projectile vomiting, or other acute illness symptoms
Sources
Related Resources
Related Sleep Concerns
Baby Only Napping 30 Minutes
Short naps of 30-45 minutes are extremely common in babies under 6 months. Your baby is waking at the end of a single sleep cycle and has not yet learned to link cycles together during the day. This is developmentally normal and typically improves on its own between 5-7 months as the brain matures.
Baby Fighting Sleep
A baby who fights sleep is usually either overtired, undertired, or going through a developmental leap. It can feel exhausting, but it is very common and does not mean anything is wrong. Adjusting wake windows and creating a calming pre-sleep routine are the most effective strategies.
My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of children. It often begins when babies first get teeth and may continue through early childhood. While the sound can be unsettling, occasional grinding is usually harmless and most children outgrow it by age 6. It may be related to teething discomfort, jaw development, or simply exploring their new teeth.
My Baby Moans in Their Sleep
Moaning, groaning, and grunting during sleep are extremely common in babies and are almost always harmless. Babies spend a large proportion of their sleep in active (REM) sleep, during which they naturally vocalize, twitch, and make facial expressions. These sounds typically decrease as your baby's nervous system matures over the first few months.
My Baby Naps Too Much
How much daytime sleep is "too much" depends heavily on your baby's age. Newborns naturally nap frequently and for long stretches, while older babies and toddlers gradually consolidate daytime sleep into fewer, shorter naps. Excessive daytime napping becomes a concern mainly if it consistently interferes with nighttime sleep or if it signals an underlying issue like illness.
Baby Needs Rocking to Sleep
Rocking your baby to sleep is a perfectly natural and loving way to help them drift off. It is not a bad habit - it is responsive parenting. If rocking is working for your family, there is no need to change anything. If you would like your baby to learn to fall asleep with less help, gentle, gradual approaches work best.