Ask a Doctor
Dana Hamilton, DO
Pediatrician
Child Care Consultants, Inc.
111 Inah Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43228
Phone: (614) 878-6415

Q: When can I expect my baby to sleep through the night and what can I do to help?

A: You can expect your baby to be sleeping through the night by her third or fourth month. 

• Newborns:  During the first two to four weeks of life, your baby's tummy will dictate her sleep routine. Breast-fed babies will need to eat every two to three hours, formula-fed babies every three to four. Infants are able to sleep for longer periods between feedings when they reach about 12 pounds.
• 1 to 2 months: As infants get older, they naturally become more alert during the day and sleepier at night. However, most babies at this age still need at least two 1 to 3 hour naps each day. Different babies nap for different lengths of time, but if your baby sleeps longer than three or four hours during daytime naps, wake her up so that she will be sleepy at bedtime.
• 2 months: Your baby will probably start to skip one predawn feeding and nurse or feed longer right before bedtime to stock up for the night.  Keep in mind, though, that it's normal for babies this age to fuss or wake up several times during the night. Let her cry a few minutes before you go in - sometimes babies aren't really awake when they lightly fuss, and they will go back into a deeper sleep naturally.
• 3 months: By three months, babies are ready to have a more formal bedtime. Now is the time to get your baby used to falling asleep after feeding, not during it. At first, this may be difficult, if not impossible, but getting her used to being placed in her crib while she is at least partially awake will make the bedtime routine easier as she gets older.
• 4 months: At this age (or at 12 to 15 pounds) most babies no longer need to wake up for middle-of-the-night meals. This means they now can and do sleep through the night. Usually.