“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 a different sleep pattern than adults. They sleep in shorter cycles, switch more frequently between light and deep sleep, and wake up more often. Why? Because it makes biological sense.

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

What does "sleeping through the night" actually mean?

Many parents understand "sleeping through the night" to mean 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. However, from a medical perspective, a sleep period of 5-6 hours is already considered "sleeping through the night." Many children only reach this level between 6 and 12 months of age – some even later.

Sleep evolution is a process, not a competition.

Typical sleep myths – and what really helps:

• "My baby has to be in bed by 7 pm."
  
  – Wrong. The ideal time is individual – what matters is tiredness, not the time of day.
  
  

• "If it sleeps less during the day, it sleeps better at night."
  
  – Often the opposite is true! Overtiredness leads to restless sleep.
  
  

• "Breastfed babies sleep worse."
  
  Not necessarily. Breastfeeding soothes and provides closeness – many breastfed babies fall back asleep more quickly as a result.
  
  

How can parents promote their baby's sleep?

• Create rituals: A regular bedtime ritual 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: Especially in the evenings, avoid screen use, loud noises and rough play.

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

• Accept help (grandparents, friends, babysitters).

• Lower your expectations – nobody “functions” perfectly with a lack of sleep.
  
  

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Sleep

When do babies sleep through the night?
Most start no earlier than the 6th month – some earlier, some later.

Is waking up at night normal?
Yes, absolutely. Even adults wake up briefly at night – they just 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 daily.

Does my baby need to be able to fall asleep alone?
Not necessarily. Falling asleep close to others is not a mistake – but a sign of bonding.