It might reassure you to know that almost every parent has asked this question at some point. You might barely remember what it feels like to sleep through the night yourself. Biologically, young babies simply can't sleep through the night yet - which can really wear you down. Older babies, meanwhile, sometimes find it hard to fall back asleep on their own. Here are our tips and tricks.
Developing a day-night rhythm
Newborns still need feeding every 3 to 4 hours. That means you don't sleep for longer than that stretch either - broken nights are part of the deal for now. On top of that, newborns don't yet have a day-night rhythm. You may have noticed during pregnancy that your baby became active right as you settled into bed. It takes a while for your baby to learn there's a difference between day and night.
A day-night rhythm only starts to develop from around 2 to 3 months. Around this time, your baby may start needing slightly longer stretches of sleep at night.
Learning to sleep through the night
Sleeping through the night officially means your baby can string together two sleep cycles (around 4 hours) without waking up.
Research using hidden cameras shows that virtually no child under 12 months makes it through the night without waking at all. That said, a large proportion of 8-month-old babies are able to fall back asleep on their own when they wake at night.
Keep in mind every baby is different, and yours may well learn to sleep through the night faster or slower than others. Not sure about your baby's sleep pattern? Talk to your health visitor or doctor, who can offer targeted support.
Tips to help your baby sleep through the night
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Don't deliberately keep your baby awake during the day
Keeping them awake to make them extra tired doesn't help, unfortunately. An overtired baby actually finds it harder to fall asleep. -
Comfort them in time
Young babies can't yet calm themselves well. So comfort your baby before they become truly upset. -
Don't comfort too quickly either
That sounds contradictory to the previous point. Try leaving your baby for a few minutes first when they start to wake - sometimes they'll drift back off on their own. Babies from around 3 months are already picking up habits, including less helpful sleep habits. Don't worry: you'll get better and better at recognising the sounds your baby makes and what suits them best. -
Don't try too hard
Along the same lines: don't overdo it. Teach your child to fall asleep by themselves, in their own bed, once they've woken up. Limit rocking them to sleep, bringing them into your bed, feeding when it's not really needed, or night-time car rides. This is how your baby learns to sleep through the night - by falling back asleep on their own. -
Keep night feeds low-key
Keep the light dimmed (or off, if you can manage it), stay quiet, and put your baby back down promptly. Extra tip: a co-sleeper crib is ideal for this. -
Work out why your baby woke up
An inconsolable baby in the middle of the night - now what? Are they hungry? Is the room too warm or too cold? Is there a dirty nappy in the way? Could they be unwell, have a cold, or colic? Address the issue where you can, and put your baby back down once they've settled. -
Get outside during the day
Fresh air is good for your baby, and for you! Outdoor air has a positive effect on your baby's sleep rhythm, and daylight supports their sense of day and night. -
Recognise tiredness cues
Put your baby down at the right moment. You'll recognise tiredness by: rubbing their eyes, yawning, looking away, tugging at their ears, or fussing. Leave it too late and your baby starts crying, and they'll often find it harder to fall asleep. So learn to time it well.
Honestly, finding a good rhythm can be quite the challenge (and exhausting!). Some babies learn to sleep through the night sooner than others, and yours might just be one that's in no particular hurry. The tips above can help enormously, but ultimately it's also a matter of time. Really at the end of your rope? Maybe grandparents or good friends could babysit for a weekend, so you can recharge.
You and your partner could probably use a weekend together too, for that matter. A little one can genuinely affect your relationship, and the time you actually get to spend together.
About Kabrita
Good nutrition also contributes to a pleasant sleep rhythm for your baby. Kabrita goat milk-based formula is a Dutch product that combines mild Dutch goat milk with a modern composition based on the latest scientific insights.