At what age do babies sleep through the night?

The short answer

There’s no specific age when all babies start sleeping through the night. And “sleeping through the night” doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping without any waking until morning. The phrase often refers to a stretch of five or six hours in a row. Babies don’t all follow the same pattern. Some start sleeping for longer stretches at night when they’re a few months old; others continue to wake for a feed or comfort.

So the useful questions aren’t just “At what age?” They’re also “What do we mean by a full night?” and “Does this pattern work for my baby?” The points below can help you make sense of the variations, without turning a number into a deadline your baby has to meet.

“Sleeping through the night” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone

The Mieux vivre avec notre enfant guide describes “sleeping through the night” as sleeping for five or six hours in a row at night, between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. The guide says about 70% of babies sleep for five hours or more at 3 months, 85% at 6 months and 90% at 10 months. These are general reference points, not a promise about your child’s sleep.

A recent Québec survey used a different definition: sleeping for six hours or more in a row. According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec, 49% of the children studied were sleeping through the night at around 5 months, 75% at around 17 months and 82% at around 29 months. These figures are for children born in Québec in 2020–2021 and followed as part of the Grandir au Québec study.

The two sets of figures don’t measure exactly the same thing. They use different definitions of sleeping through the night, as well as different age groups and data. The main point is that a baby who isn’t sleeping for six hours in a row at a particular age isn’t automatically behind. The length of sleep stretches varies from one child to another.

Night wakings and feeds change as your baby grows

At first, a baby’s sleep is spread across daytime and nighttime. Newborns may sleep in short stretches and wake to feed. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that newborns may sleep for up to 18 hours a day, in blocks of 3 to 4 hours. These are reference points, not a description of every baby; some babies sleep differently.

Around 4 months, sleep may become more predictable and nighttime stretches may get longer. But that doesn’t mean every baby is ready to go all night without a feed. Mieux vivre explains that some babies may no longer need a night feed between 4 and 6 months, while others may still need one. Don’t stop a night feed just because your baby has reached a certain age or number of hours. If you’re unsure, ask a health-care professional for guidance.

Wakings can also return after a period of longer nights. For example, some babies start waking again between 6 and 12 months. Mieux vivre notes that periods of wakefulness are normal. A change in your baby’s sleep pattern doesn’t, by itself, mean you’ve done something wrong.

Gentle ways to support bedtime

You can establish simple habits while keeping in mind that they won’t make every waking disappear. The goal is to offer familiar cues and respond to your baby, not to follow a perfect schedule. Choose an approach that fits your baby and your family’s routine.

• Keep the routine simple and familiar. A feed, a cuddle, a song or a few quiet minutes can signal that bedtime is coming. Pick steps that work for your family and repeat them when you can.
• Keep things calm during night feeds. Dim lighting and minimal stimulation can help distinguish night from day, as suggested by Mieux vivre. You don’t need to turn the feed into a complicated routine.
• Notice your baby’s tired cues and patterns. Babies’ sleep and nap needs aren’t identical. Keeping your baby awake during the day in the hope that they’ll sleep better at night isn’t a guarantee.
• Share caregiving when you can. Another trusted person may be able to take a turn comforting or caring for your baby, depending on your baby’s needs and how your family is organized.

Whatever your baby’s sleep looks like, keep safe-sleep guidance in mind. Health Canada recommends placing babies on their backs, alone, in a safe crib, cradle or bassinet, on a firm, flat surface with no soft items. For the first six months, the baby’s sleep space should be in the parents’ room. Share these recommendations with grandparents, your babysitter and anyone else who cares for your baby.

When to ask for advice

Night wakings can be hard, especially when they add up. If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, feeds or well-being, call Info-Santé at 811 to speak with a nurse. In an emergency, call 911. If you have a question about a medication or a product that claims to help with sleep, ask your pharmacist. Don’t give your baby a medication or product without professional advice.

You can also keep track for a few days of bedtime, wakings and feeds. The purpose isn’t to compare your baby with an average. A short record can help you notice your baby’s pattern and explain what’s concerning you when you speak with a health-care professional.

In short, some babies start sleeping for several hours in a row early on, while others take longer. There’s no universal age for “sleeping through the night,” and a night waking doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Follow your baby’s needs, keep their sleep space safe and ask for support if you need it.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information; it does not replace advice from a health professional. In Québec, call Info-Santé 811 when in doubt (elsewhere in Canada, your provincial health line). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

1. Sleep of toddlers: changes from 5 months to 2½ years (page indiquée comme étant en français seulement), Institut de la statistique du Québec
2. Healthy sleep for your baby and child, Société canadienne de pédiatrie — Soins de nos enfants
3. Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby, Santé Canada