“So, is your baby sleeping through the night yet?” – The mother of all parenting questions.

Spoiler alert: The honest answer is almost always "no." And that's perfectly normal. Babies have different sleep patterns than adults. They sleep in shorter cycles, switch between light and deep sleep more frequently, and wake up more often. Why? Because it makes biological sense.

In the first months of life, waking at night serves, among other things, to ensure survival. The baby subconsciously checks whether it is safe, warm, and fed. At the same time, the brain matures rapidly during this time, and this requires many short sleep phases.

What does “sleeping through the night” actually mean?

Many parents understand this to mean 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. However, medically speaking, a sleep span of 5–6 hours is considered "sleeping through the night." Many children don't achieve this until 6 to 12 months old—some even later.

Sleep development is a process, not a competition.

Typical sleep myths – and what really helps:

• “My baby has to be in bed by 7 p.m.”
  
  – Wrong. The ideal time varies from person to person – what matters is fatigue, not the time of day.
  
  

• “If it sleeps less during the day, it sleeps better at night.”
  
  – The opposite is often the case! Overtiredness leads to restless sleep.
  
  

• “Breastfed babies sleep worse.”
  
  Not necessarily. Breastfeeding is calming and creates closeness – many breastfed babies fall asleep more quickly as a result.
  
  

How can parents promote baby sleep?

• Create rituals: A regular bedtime routine provides security – e.g., bathing, reading aloud, singing.
  Use darkness: light during the day, dark at night – this is how the baby learns the difference between day and night.

• Reduce stimuli: Avoid screen use, loud noises, and rough play, especially in the evening.

• Accept your own pace: Every child develops their own rhythm. Comparisons don't help here—they only cause stress.
  
  

And what about the parents?

Parents need rest. Period. Therefore:

• Divide tasks (alternate at night, take a nap during the day).

• Accept help (grandparents, friends, babysitters).

• Lower your expectations – no one “functions” perfectly with a lack of sleep.
  
  

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about baby sleep

When do babies sleep through the night?
Most start at the 6th month at the earliest – some earlier, some later.

Is waking up at night normal?
Yes, absolutely. Adults also wake up briefly at night – but they rarely remember it.

How long do babies sleep during the day?
Newborns sleep up to 18 hours, 6-month-old babies about 14-15 hours a day.

Does my baby need to be able to fall asleep alone?
Not necessarily. Falling asleep with your partner close isn't a mistake—it's a sign of bonding.