When Do Babies Sleep Through the Night? (Real Ages + What Actually Helps)

“When do babies start sleeping through the night?”

I think this might be the most asked question among new mums.

Well, most of them anyway.

Believe it or not, there are mums (and I’ve had the privilege to meet them) whose babies slept through the night from day one.

But for the sake of my mental well-being, I won’t focus on those mums. 😂

Instead, I’ll focus on you – the ones in the thick of it.

The mums who are sleep deprived.

The mums whose babies cry… a lot.

Although, let’s be real – “crying” doesn’t quite cut it.

It feels like a drill to the brain.

It’s torture.

You can’t escape it. You often can’t resolve it.

And when you add sleep deprivation into the mix, you soon feel like you’re on the edge.

If you’re barely functioning right now, I’ve also shared proven ways to cope with it in my post on 13 ways cope with postpartum sleep deprivation.

So it’s really no wonder you’re asking how to get baby to sleep through the night.

And don’t worry – I’m not going to tell you that “no one can give you the answer” (even though, technically, that’s true).

Because there ARE things you can do to help them sleep.

In this blog post, I’ll share what helped us.

Actually, what SAVED us when we were at the breaking point.

But first, real quick…

If you’re a new mum who is struggling right now, I highly recomned you join my FREE email course Postpartum Survival Toolkit. You’ll learn simple tips you can do today to make life with a baby much easier – and more enjoyable.

Why your baby cries at night (and what it means)

I’m not a parenting expert, but here’s one thing I know for sure:

When your baby cries at night (or anytime, really), it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

Sometimes, crying is just… part of it.

Sometimes, it’s their way of letting it out.

Sometimes, you won’t be able to stop it – no matter what you do.

I remember when I was a brand new mum, I thought every cry was a reflection of my failure.

But hear this loud and clear:

Crying doesn’t mean you’re a bad mum or that you’re doing anything wrong.

It just means your baby has a need – or an emotion they’re working through.

So please, don’t take your baby’s crying as a sign that you’re failing.

Babies cry.

It’s how they communicate.

But the good news is they won’t communicate like this forever!

(And that’s a promise.)

Why your baby won’t settle at night (even when you’ve tried everything)

Now, if your baby isn’t crying but just can’t settle – that’s its own kind of hell.

Especially when you’ve done everything “right.”

You’ve tired them out. You’ve kept things calm. You’ve done the routine.

And they’re still wide awake while you’re barely functioning.

I’ve been there.

And I had twins – one cried, the other wouldn’t settle. Or both would cry. Every. Single. Night.

They were colicky for months.

It was relentless.

And at the same time, I was struggling with severe postnatal depression at the time.

My husband and I were broken.

I knew that if something didn’t change soon, a tragedy could happen.

We were desperate.

Nothing we tried helped — or it was too expensive to keep up.

And honestly? Those early months felt like pure survival mode.

If that’s where you are right now, check out my post onhow to survive the first 6 months with a newborn.

In the end, we decided to try controlled crying.

It was another layer of emotional torture for me, but at that point, it felt like the only option.

(Bear with me, this is just the beginning.)

Long story short, after a couple of days, they slept through the night.

And I finally started to feel like a human being again.

The baby sleep routine that changed everything for us

When the boys were about three, they started going to a childminder called Andrea two mornings a week.

Turns out, Andrea was a qualified children’s behaviour and routine expert – and oh my goodness, the things I learned from her!

One of the biggest lessons I learned from her was the power of ROUTINE.

I’d heard of it before, but never realised how transformational it could be.

She taught me that you can start establishing a routine as early as three months.

So when I fell pregnant with our third son a few years later, I KNEW I was going to implement a routine from the start.

He slept through the night from three months old.

He only cried when he was hungry or tired during the day.

I was shocked it worked so well.

And honestly? Shocked that no one had told me about it sooner.

Why isn’t routine part of basic antenatal education?

It could save so many families months and years of struggling.

That’s why I’m here now, sharing this wisdom now.

With you.

A little warning…

A quick word of warning: establishing a baby routine isn’t easy.

It isn’t just any routine that works wonders.

Most parents give up before it works because it feels hard at the start.

But after going through the hell we did with our twins, I was all in.

I just knew I’d never go through that again.

So I stuck with it. And it worked.

Routine changed everything.

Not just for babies. It works with toddlers, big kids, and even teens.

So if you’re at the end of your rope, consider working with a baby routine expert.

Just make sure they’re experienced and come recommended.

It might feel like a stretch at first – but it could change your whole life.

In if sleep (or lack of it) is hitting you hard right now, here are more posts that could help you right now:

• Having a baby is NOT a joyful experience
• Postnatal anxiety explained: why you feel constantly on edge after having a baby
• Postnatal rage: the hidden emotion no one warned me about
• When Does Motherhood Get Easier? (The Honest Truth)
• Is It Normal To Regret Having a Baby?
• 5 Signs of Postpartum Depression No One Talks About
• Postpartum Mental Health: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Ask for Help
• Is It Normal To Feel Lonely After Having a Baby?
• How to Survive the Newborn Stage (A First-Time Mum’s Guide to the First 6 Months)

What age do babies sleep through the night?

Believe it or not, I’ve met mums whose babies slept through the night from day one.

Not many, but they do exist.

Then there are babies who don’t sleep through until much later.

From my own experience, I know that a good routine can help – as long as you do it properly and get the right support.

We started ours with our youngest at 3 months, and he was sleeping through the night in just one week.

I was very focused on following the expert’s advice, though, and this is where many parents give up.

That’s why I always stress: it works only when you do it right.

Final word

There you go!

If you’re feeling desperate and wondering, “When do babies stop crying?” – please know there IS hope.

Babies cry because that’s how they communicate, but with the right support, routines, and a sprinkle of perseverance, the crying WILL ease.

You’ll get sleep again.

You’ll feel like you again.

Hang in there, mama – you’re doing better than you think.

If this post made you feel seen,  there’s more support waiting for you in my book Motherhood – The Unspoken. 

Inside, you’ll find: 

• Real stories from different first time mums
• The innermost thoughts & challenges they faced during pregnancy and early motherhood
• How they coped with difficult moments and emotions
• Lessons they wish they could tell their past selves
• Support, encouragement, and word of advice to you  

FAQs

1. When do babies usually sleep through the night?

Most babies start sleeping through the night between 3 to 6 months, but every baby is different. Some may take longer, especially if they need night feeds or are going through growth spurts.

2. What does “sleeping through the night” actually mean?

It usually means your baby sleeps for 6–8 hours without waking, not necessarily a full 12-hour stretch (sadly lol).

3. Why is my baby not sleeping through the night?

There are many reasons:

• Hunger

• Lack of routine

• Comfort needs

• Sleep regressions

• Overtiredness

It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, you’re learning and getting to know them.

4. How can I help my baby sleep through the night naturally?

Here are some simple things you can do:

• Create a bedtime routine and stick to it every night

• Watch when your baby gets tired and put them down at the right time

• Make sure your baby has a full feed before sleep

• Keep nights quiet, calm, and a little bit boring

A good routine can make a big difference.

5. Is it normal for newborns to wake up at night?

Yes – completely normal. Newborns need frequent feeds and comfort, so waking every few hours is expected in the early months.

6. When should I worry about my baby’s sleep?

If your baby seems extremely unsettled, isn’t feeding well, or you’re concerned about their development, it’s always best to speak to your doctor or GP.

7. Do baby routines really work?

Yes, a well established routine will help your baby fall and stay asleep more easily.

8. How do I cope with sleep deprivation as a new mum?

Sleep deprivation is one of the hardest parts of early motherhood. Get a lot of help and support, and rest whenever you have the chance. Don’t focus on anything else right now. This stage is about survival and it will pass sooner thank you think.