How to Get My Baby to Sleep Through the Night (Without Losing My Mind)

If you’ve Googled “How do I get my baby to sleep through the night?” at 3am while rocking a wide awake baby in the dark, you're not alone. This is one of the most common concerns I hear from parents.

First things first: you’re not doing anything wrong. Night waking is a completely normal part of infant development, however it doesn’t mean you have to settle for broken sleep forever.

Let’s talk about what “sleeping through the night” actually means, what needs to be in place for it to happen, and how to help your baby get there, gently and realistically.

What Does "Sleeping Through the Night" Really Mean?

In the baby world, “sleeping through the night” doesn’t mean 12 hours of uninterrupted deep sleep. It typically means your baby can sleep 6–8+ hours without needing to feed or be soothed back to sleep.

Babies (and even adults!) still wake briefly during the night. The key is whether they can resettle themselves without calling out for you every time.

5 Steps to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

1. Start with a Consistent Bedtime Routine

A calming, predictable bedtime routine is like a cue for your baby’s brain that it’s time to wind down. This doesn’t have to be complicated -bath, baby massage, PJs, feeding, a short book or song, then into bed.

👉 Consistency is more important than length.

2. Make Sure Daytime Sleep is on Track

Overtired babies can result in restless nights. It sounds backwards, but it’s true. Babies who don’t nap well during the day often sleep worse at night.

👉 Follow age-appropriate wake windows and make sure your baby isn’t skipping or shortchanging naps.

3. Give Your Baby a Chance to Resettle

It’s natural to want to rush in the moment you hear a cry, however sometimes babies just need a minute to fuss, stir, and settle back down.

👉 Pause for a minute or two before responding. You might be surprised how often they can fall back asleep on their own.

The right question to ask before all of this is - Is My Baby Ready to Sleep Through the Night?

Great question. Most healthy babies are capable of longer stretches between 5–6 months, but readiness depends on a few things:

• Your baby is gaining weight well and eating enough during the day

• Your baby doesn't have any medical or discomfort reasons for waking

If your baby is younger, they can still make progress toward better sleep, however full nights may take a little more time.

A Note from Me

Getting your baby to sleep through the night doesn’t have to mean “cry it out” or letting them struggle. It’s about meeting your baby where they’re at, creating a supportive routine, and helping them build the skill of independent sleep in a healthy, natural way. Although remember when you’re stuck in survival mode, sometimes you just need a personalized plan and someone to walk with you through it.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Ready for More Sleep?

If your nights feel endless and you’re ready to make a change, I’m here to help. I work with tired parents every day to create sleep solutions that are practical, gentle, and totally doable.

Book a FREE 15 min call with me NOW - Let’s make better sleep your new normal.

FAQs

1. When will my baby sleep through the night naturally?

Every baby is different, but many are developmentally ready between 5–7 months, depending on feeding, growth, and sleep habits. Some do it on their own, however MANY need a little support to get there and don't sleep through until the root cause is found.

2. Do I have to use sleep training to get my baby to sleep through the night?

Not necessarily. Sleep training can help but it’s not always about “cry it out.” There are many responsive and gentle methods that can teach your baby to sleep well without distress.

3. What if my baby wakes up hungry at night?

Night feeding is still normal even up until 12 months. Finding the root cause of those wakes is the most important part to start addressing you're little ones sleep issues.