If you’ve ever asked yourself, “When will my infant sleep through the night?”- you’re not alone. For most parents, sleep becomes the holy grail of baby milestones. And between growth spurts, regressions and routines, it’s easy to feel like restful nights are a moving target.
So, when do babies sleep through the night? Let’s break it down by age so you know what’s realistic, what’s normal and how you can support your baby’s journey to longer stretches of sleep.
2 to 3 Months: Building the Foundations
At this age, your baby is still adjusting to life outside the womb. While a few lucky parents might notice longer sleep stretches, most babies are still waking every few hours.
When will newborns sleep through the night?
Realistically, not yet. Night feeds are still essential, and total infant sleeping time often ranges between 14–17 hours over a 24-hour period, broken up across day and night.
While you're waiting for your infant to sleep through the night, this is a great stage to introduce gentle wind-down rituals- think low lights, soft voices, a warm bath, and their Riff Raff sleep toy playing calming white noise, while safely secured to the outside of their sleep environment.
4 Months: Sleep Shifts and Regressions
Wondering how much sleep a 4-month-old needs? Around 14–16 hours total. But here’s the catch- the infamous 4-month sleep regression can hit hard.
Your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing, which may cause frequent wake-ups. They’re more aware of their surroundings and need help linking sleep cycles. If you’re asking “when should an infant sleep through the night?”, remember: this regression is a good sign- it means healthy brain development.
Stick with your routine, use comforting sleep cues (like a familiar toy or swaddle), and keep practising consistent nap and bedtime patterns.
6 Months: The First Big Sleep Wins
By now, many babies are ready for longer overnight stretches. Some will begin sleeping 6–8 hours without needing a feed.
Bedtime for a 6-month-old generally falls between 6:30–7:30 pm, with 2–3 naps during the day. If your bub hasn’t hit those longer stretches yet, don’t panic- every baby gets there in their own time.
This is when many parents start asking seriously, “When will my infant sleep through the night?” The answer? Soon, with gentle, consistent structure, most babies start to consolidate sleep around this age.
8 to 10 Months: Progress and Setbacks
By now, babies often begin sleeping closer to 10–12 hours a night- although teething, illness or milestones (like crawling or standing) can cause disruptions.
This age is where infant sleeping through the night becomes more common, but it’s also a phase where regressions may pop back in. Keep routines consistent, naps regular and bedtime predictable.
And if you’re facing bedtime battles, adding a comforting Riff Raff toy to their sleep space can help your baby wind down with a familiar texture and sound.
11 to 12 Months: Sleep Gets Smoother
Looking at your 11-month sleep schedule? Most babies are now on two naps a day and sleeping 11–12 hours at night. The bedtime sweet spot is still around 7–8 pm, and consistency is everything.
By 12 months, most babies are sleeping through the night regularly, though some may still wake occasionally due to dreams, hunger or separation anxiety.
If you’ve been wondering, “When do babies sleep through the night?”, for many families, this is the moment it all starts to click.
What’s “Normal” for Infant Sleep?
Let’s answer the big one again: When will newborns sleep through the night?
Most don’t- and that’s totally normal.
When do babies sleep through the night?
Somewhere between 4–12 months is typical. But it depends on many factors, including feeding habits, temperament, environment, and sleep cues.
Infants and sleep is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Some babies coast into long naps and solid nights. Others need more support, routine and comfort to get there- and that’s where Riff Raff comes in. Just ensure you are using it correctly as outlined in Red Nose Safe Sleep Guidelines.
Whether you’re at the start of the journey with a 12-week-old sleep schedule, in the thick of regressions at 4 months, or fine-tuning routines at 11 months, it’s all part of the process. Your baby will get there.
And until they do? You’ve got tools, support and one damn cute bedtime buddy on your side.