Getting your newborn baby to sleep is an ordeal. And making the baby sleep through the night... well, that is like winning the lottery! Every parent, myself included, has had nights of pacing the floor and rocking a baby who refuses to settle.

The truth is that most newborns wake up often, especially at night. And that is entirely normal during infancy. With the right baby sleep tips, a little patience, and consistent routines, you can help your baby sleep longer stretches at night. These strategies, along with the seven best tips for helping your baby sleep through the night, are fundamental and proven.

Why do Babies Wake Up from Sleep at Night?

One of the most common concerns new parents have is, “Why won’t my newborn sleep through the night?”

Newborn babies usually sleep 16–17 hours a day in short cycles. This is because their tiny stomachs need frequent feeding.

According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, most babies do not truly sleep through the night (6–8 hours) until around 3–6 months old or once they weigh about 12–13 pounds.

By 6 months, about two-thirds of infants can sleep for longer stretches.

So if your 1-month-old baby wakes every 2–3 hours, that's not a sleep problem. It is part of healthy newborn development. Understanding this takes away some of the Stress and sets more realistic expectations.

Tips to Make the Baby Sleep Through the Night

Here are some tested methods to help your baby sleep longer at night. These are small daily routines that, over time, can be very effective in helping the baby sleep longer.

1. Create a Calming Bedtime Routine

Many parents swear by routines. I do too. A warm bath, dim lights, gentle feeding, and then a soft lullaby. It all tells your infant baby, “It’s nighttime now.”

Experts recommend avoiding screens, bright lights, or rough play before bed.

Baby care tip: Try to keep the same routine order every night. Babies thrive on predictability, and routines help establish healthy sleep habits.

2. Put Baby To Sleep When Drowsy

This one changed everything for me. Instead of rocking the newborn baby completely to sleep, lay them down before they are fully asleep. Right when they are drowsy. Put the baby down. Over time, they will learn to fall asleep in their crib.

Baby Care Tip: Babies who always fall asleep in your arms may struggle to self-soothe at night. Teaching them gently builds confidence and independence.

3. Respect Wake Windows and Avoid Overtired Babies

What is a wake window? It is the amount of time a baby can comfortably stay awake between sleep periods, like naps or bedtime. These windows vary by age.

One of the biggest mistakes new parents make is keeping a baby awake too long.

Overtired infants are actually harder to put down.

Quick guide to newborn wake windows:

• Newborn baby: 30–60 minutes
• 3 months: 60–90 minutes
• 6 months: 1.5–2.5 hours

If your 2-month-old baby is cranky after just 45 minutes of being awake, they are probably ready for another nap.

Following these infant care patterns can reduce bedtime battles.

4. Make the Sleep Space Baby-Friendly

Your baby's sleep environment matters as much as the routine. A dark, quiet room, with a safe crib or bassinet, sets the stage for longer stretches of sleep. Here are some valuable tips for making the baby sleep

• Use blackout curtains to block early morning light.
• Try white noise to cover household sounds.
• Maintain a comfortable room temperature (68–72°F).

Safe Sleep Reminder: The American Academy of Paediatrics advises that infants always sleep on their backs on a firm mattress, without pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals.

Following safe sleep guidelines lowers the risk of SIDS by up to 50%.

5. Try a Dream Feed

What is a dream feed? A dream feed is when you gently feed your infant around 10–11 PM. This is right before you go to bed.

It is helpful to make the baby sleep longer because it "tops off" their tummy. Hence, they sleep a longer first stretch. Many parents find this helpful around 2 to 4 months.

6. Gentle Sleep Training (At the Right Age)

When the baby is 4–6 months old, they are ready for gentle sleep training. This does not mean letting them cry endlessly.

There are softer approaches. For instance, the "check and console" method. In this, you go in every few minutes to reassure. But don't pick them up.

It teaches your baby that nighttime wakings don't always mean they need food or rocking.

7. Expect Sleep Regressions and Don’t Panic

Just when you think you have cracked the code, bam! Your 4-month-old baby suddenly wakes every hour again.

Sleep regressions often happen at 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months. They are usually tied to growth spurts or the acquisition of new skills, such as rolling and crawling.

Mom Tip for Better Baby Sleep: Stick to Your Sleep Routine. Regressions are temporary. Most babies settle again within one to three weeks.

What to Avoid at Night

Some baby sleep mistakes can undo progress:

• Letting infants nap too long during the day. They do need naps. But shorter ones and not endless.
• Putting the baby to bed too late. Most newborns do best with bedtime around 7–8 PM.
• Relying on rocking or feeding to sleep every time. It is sweet. But hard to maintain all night.
• Ignoring safe sleep practices like firm mattresses and back-sleeping.

Longer Baby Sleep Takes Patience

Helping your baby sleep through the night is like a magic trick. It involves combining small, consistent habits that work for your family. But let us not forget that every baby is different.

With safe sleep practices and these best tips for helping your baby sleep through the night, a baby will start showing results. There will be those precious longer stretches of rest. And when that first whole night's sleep finally happens, I am sure, you will feel like you have climbed Everest.