Most babies are able to sleep through the night – or sleep for at least six hours without waking up to eat – sometime between 3 to 6 months of age. Healthy babies who are born full-term are generally able to sleep through the night without a feeding starting at 3 months of age or when they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. However, babies' sleep cycles only become consistent and predictable around the time they're 6 months old.
Just because babies are technically able to go through the night without a feeding, however, doesn't mean they will. Night wakings can happen for many other reasons, including separation anxiety, an inability to self-soothe back to sleep, sleep regressions, teething, and bed-sharing.
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If your baby doesn't start sleeping through the night without a feeding between 4 to 6 months of age, you can try night weaning. There are lots of different sleep training methods, from the cry-it-out method to the fading method. Learn about your options (BabyCenter's virtual course, Baby Sleep 101Opens a new window, can help) and choose one that feels right for you and your baby.
How long should a newborn sleep at night without eating?
Newborns generally sleep for two to three hours before waking to eat, day and night. As they get older, babies are usually able to sleep for increasingly longer stretches of time at night without waking to eat.
Between the age of 2 to 3 months old, healthy babies are often able to sleep for six hours without feeding. Research suggests that about half of babies are able to sleep at least six hours without a nighttime feed by 3 months of age. That rate rises to 62 percent by 6 months of age and 72 percent by 12 months of age, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
So how can you prepare your baby to sleep longer periods at night without eating? Start healthy sleep habits early. Help your newborn learn to fall asleep on their own by following a bedtime routine, putting them to bed when they're sleepy but still awake, and waiting for a few minutes to respond to their fussing when they do wake at night. Although your baby may still need to be fed during the night for some time, these tactics help them learn to nod back off without the help of your breast, arms, or a bottle.
If your baby was premature or has other health considerations such as digestive problems or failure to gain weight, be sure to discuss their feeding schedule with their doctor before making changes.
Should you wake a sleeping baby to feed?
For the first one to two weeks of life – or until your newborn regains the weight they lost after birth – it's important that they wake up to eat about every two to three hours. Newborns usually do this on their own, but occasionally will sleep for longer. If your baby does sleep for a stretch of more than four hours during this period, wake them to eat.
After the first couple of weeks, when babies surpass their birth weight, most healthy babies don't need to be woken to eat as long as they're growing and feeding well. That means they're gaining weight as expected and producing at least four wet diapers and three poopy diapers per day. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your baby's growth or feeding habits.
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What if my baby won't wake up to eat?
If your baby is healthy, has passed their birth weight, and is feeding and growing steadily, you usually don't need to wake them to feed. Unless their doctor tells you otherwise, let your baby sleep – they'll let you know when they need to eat!
If, however, your baby hasn't yet surpassed their birth weight, or if they were premature or aren't growing as expected, you do need to rouse them to eat anytime they sleep for more than four hours straight.
Know that newborns sometimes have a hard time waking up to eat for the first few days, especially if:
- they're small
- they have jaundice
- you had a difficult labor
- you had an epidural or other pain reliever during birth
If your baby is lethargic and uninterested in eating, these tips can help a groggy baby wake to feed:
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- Look for signs that they're in a light sleep cycle, which include flutters under closed eyelids, arm and leg movements, and sucking movements.
- Be sure the room is cool (around 18 C or 65 F) and your baby isn't overdressed, since being too warm makes babies sleepier.
- Try skin-to-skin contact and/or a laid-back breastfeeding position, which can encourage feeding.
Premature babies have unique nutritional needs and may not show hunger signs like crying.
If your baby is premature, or if you're concerned about your baby's weight gain or feeding patterns, talk to their doctor about how to ensure your baby is getting enough to eat.
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FAQs
Most babies are able to sleep through the night – or sleep for at least six hours without waking up to eat – sometime between 3 to 6 months of age. Healthy babies who are born full-term are generally able to sleep through the night without a feeding starting at 3 months of age or when they weigh 12 to 13 pounds.
How long can I let my baby go without eating at night? ›
Stage 1 Sleeping Through the Night Without Feeding (6 - 8 hours): Around 4 months of age is when most parents will start to see signs from their babies that they're able to sleep in longer stretches. Getting up to 5 and 6 hours by this point is very likely.
Should you wake a sleeping baby to eat at night? ›
While waking up a sleeping baby might seem like a bad idea, frequent feedings early on are important for a couple of reasons: Crying is a late sign of hunger. The sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby.
Is it OK if baby doesn't feed at night? ›
You can expect your baby to start feeding less often at night than during the day. After 2 months of age, babies settle into a regular feeding schedule. A baby feeds about every 3 to 5 hours. So by 4 months, your baby may be able to go 5 or more hours at night between feedings.
Should I let my 5 week old sleep through the night? ›
Others suggest waking to feed during the first five to six weeks if your baby sleeps longer than five hours at a time. Usually, babies younger than 6 months wake up every three to four hours because they're hungry, so the question of whether to wake them (and lose precious rest yourself) may not be a concern.
What happens if baby sleeps too long without eating? ›
Waiting too long to feed your newborn can lead to rapid weight loss, jaundice, and other health issues down the road. It's more important your baby get the sustenance they need, so if your baby is sleeping through their feedings, gently rouse them to make sure they eat.
Can I let my newborn sleep 5 hours? ›
Wake your baby every 3–4 hours to eat until he or she shows good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.
When do babies sleep 12 hours without feeding? ›
Once they are four to six months old, most babies can sleep for between six to 12 hours without a feeding (what a welcome reprieve for tired parents!). Depending on your baby's weight, disposition, and overall health, night feedings might end earlier or later.
When do babies sleep 7pm to 7am? ›
Some babies may start sleeping from 7pm to 7am as early as 3 months, while others may not reach this milestone until they are closer to a year old. It's important to remember that every baby is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all sleep schedule.
When can you stop feeding a baby every 3 hours? ›
Most babies usually feel hungry every 3 hours until about 2 months of age and need 4-5 ounces per feeding. As the capacity of their abdomen increases, they go longer between feedings. At 4 months, babies may take up to 6 ounces per feeding and at 6 months, babies might need 8 ounces every 4-5 hours.
While it does make sense not to proactively disturb a sleeping infant during the first few months of life, once a regular day/night circadian rhythm develops (usually between 3-6 months of age), there is no reason why babies and older children should not be getting most of their sleep at night, and only a small (and ...
How do I know if baby still needs night feed? ›
To recap, the signs baby may be ready to night wean are…
Baby is around 5-6 months of age. Baby is at least 14 pounds. Their night feeding is beginning to disrupt their sleep, they are not eating much, or they have begun to wake repeatedly after their typical feeding. Baby is feeding more at night than during the day.
At what age do babies sleep through the night? ›
6 to 12 Months: When Sleeping Through the Night Could Start
Sometime between 6 and 12 months (often around 8 or 9 months) is when your baby might finally start sleeping through the night more consistently. Still, they'll have to build up to this exciting milestone.
How to tell if baby is waking from hunger or habit? ›
It all depends on your specific baby. To determine if your baby is waking due to hunger, consider the duration of their longest sleep stretch. If they've slept for 5+ hours but now wake every 2 hours, it's likely not hunger-related, and other soothing methods can be employed.
When does the newborn stage end? ›
The term newborn is often used for babies under 28 days or even up to 2 or 3 months of age, according to experts. After this period (and even during the newborn stage), your little one may be referred to as a baby or an infant up until they're around 1 year of age. But when does your teeny tiny baby become a toddler?
What to do if baby won't wake up to eat? ›
If your baby doesn't wake up to eat, try being a bit more forceful with your nudges. Sing or talk a bit more loudly when you wake him, undress him completely or try taking him into another room to feed him, as a change of venue can sometimes work wonders.
Can babies go 12 hours without eating at night? ›
Developmental Readiness. Babies in the 4-8 month-range can typically sleep through the night with one feed, regardless of whether they're eating solids. But for a baby to sleep 11-12 hours uninterrupted, you'll want to ensure your little one is eating 3 meals of solids a day, in addition to their milk intake.
When do babies sleep 12 hours without feeding at night? ›
Most babies are developmentally capable of sleeping through the night by around 5 months (though some may still need a night feeding until they're closer to 8 or 9 months). If you need help with sleep strategies and you're not sure where to begin, I can help!
How long can a 6 month old go without eating at night? ›
By 6 months, many babies can handle a 12-hour stretch without nighttime feeding. This is often when parents start to see a "light at the end of the tunnel" in terms of getting more continuous sleep.
Will my milk supply decrease when my baby sleeps through the night? ›
Letting your baby sleep for longer periods during the night won't hurt your breastfeeding efforts. Your growing baby can take in more milk during the day — and that, in turn, means longer stretches of sleep at night. Your milk supply will adjust to the new routine.
