When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night? (And What Bedtime Routine Should I Have?)

  1. Why Do Newborn Babies Wake So Much at Night?
  2. When Do Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night?
  3. What Night Waking Is Normal (and When to Look Closer)
  4. Why a Consistent Baby Bedtime Routine Helps Sleep
  5. How to Create a Simple 30-Minute Baby Bedtime Routine

One of the questions almost every parent wonders in the early hours of the night, as they rock their tiny baby back to sleep, is: 

“When will my baby sleep through the night?” 

When will I ever have a full night’s sleep again… or even six hours in a row? 

If you’re feeling exhausted, like so many parents of newborns do, and wondering if this phase will ever end, I want to gently reassure you. 

Let’s take a realistic look at baby sleep, because there is a lot of misinformation out there, and understanding what is normal can make these early months feel much more manageable and enjoyable. 

Why Does My Baby Wake So Much at Night?

At the beginning of their little lives, babies have no sense of day and night. And that’s completely normal. 

In fact, it’s a good thing. 

Newborns need to wake frequently to feed because: 

  • They have tiny stomachs 
  • They don’t have large energy stores 
  • Their growth depends on regular feeding 

Night waking in the early months is protective. It supports weight gain, milk supply, and development. 

So if you’re experiencing frequent newborn waking at night, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. 

It means your baby is behaving like a newborn.

When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?

The honest answer? 

There is no set age or weight when a baby should sleep through the night. Despite what you might hear: 

  • It’s not true that babies sleep through at a certain weight 
  • It’s not guaranteed at a certain age 
  • It doesn’t automatically happen once solids are introduced 

Every baby is different. 

Sleeping through the night depends on: 

  • Your baby’s age 
  • Their weight and growth 
  • Feeding patterns 
  • Daytime sleep 
  • Temperament 
  • Sleep associations 

Some babies naturally consolidate longer stretches earlier. Others take more time. Please ignore blanket statements like “all babies should sleep through by X weeks.” That simply isn’t evidence-based. 

But What Isn’t Normal? 

While frequent waking is normal in younger babies, context matters. 

If your baby is nine months old and waking every hour, that’s definitely not ideal — and it’s worth looking at more closely. 

By that stage, most babies are developmentally capable of longer stretches, even if they still wake once or twice. 

Sleep always has to be looked at through the lens of:

  • Age 
  • Development 
  • Feeding 
  • Your family’s goals 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Why a Bedtime Routine Matters 

Even though there’s no magic age for sleeping through, there is something that makes a big difference: 

A consistent baby bedtime routine. 

When it is time for night, babies benefit hugely from predictability. 

A bedtime routine helps your baby recognise: 

  • “This is how I get ready for sleep.” 
  • It supports melatonin production. 
  • It reduces overtiredness. 
  • It creates security. 

How Long Should a Bedtime Routine Be?

Around 30 minutes is ideal. 

Too long — and babies become cranky and overstimulated. 

Too short — and there isn’t enough wind-down time. 

Consistency is far more important than length. 

What Should a Baby Bedtime Routine Include?

The key rule is: 

The exact same steps. In the exact same order. Every night. 

This repetition builds powerful sleep cues. 

You might include:

  • Feeding at the start of the routine (if you want to separate feeding from falling asleep)
  • A warm bath 
  • Gentle baby massage 
  • A short book 
  • A quiet song 
  • A prayer 
  • Sleep sack 
  • Cuddles 
  • Into bed 

What matters most is that it stays predictable. 

Final Thoughts: When Will It Get Easier? 

Sleep is developmental. 

It changes. 

It matures. 

It shifts with growth, teething, illness and leaps. 

There is no universal timeline. 

But there are ways to support it. 

If your baby is very young, frequent waking is normal and protective. 

If your older baby is waking hourly and everyone is exhausted, there are gentle solutions. And most importantly — your goal matters. 

Some families are happy with two night feeds. 

Others are ready for longer stretches. 

If you’d like personalised guided support around baby sleep in Ireland, you’re very welcome to book a short free call. We can look at your baby’s age, feeding, development and routine — and create a plan that feels calm and realistic for your family. I would love to support you and your baby to find more sleep. 

Emma Lewis - The Mama Coach 

Registered Children’s & General Nurse

Registered Midwife Mama to two

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