Help! My Child Won’t Sleep Through the Night
Sleep deprivation is one of the most common — and most exhausting — struggles in early parenthood. Whether you have a newborn who feeds every two hours or a toddler who refuses to stay in bed, sleep problems are almost universal. Here’s what’s normal, what’s not, and what actually helps.
What To Expect At Different Ages
Newborns (0–3 months)
Sleeping through the night at this age is not developmentally expected. Newborns need to feed every 2-3 hours and have tiny stomach capacity. Normal newborn sleep is fragmented — this is biologically appropriate, not a problem to fix.
Infants (4–6 months)
This is when many babies can begin consolidating sleep, and most 4-6 month olds can sleep a 5-6 hour stretch without a feed. If your baby isn’t, sleep training — whether gradual or more direct — is developmentally appropriate at this age.
Toddlers and Young Children
Night waking, resistance to bedtime, and early rising are all extremely common in children ages 1-5. Often these are behavioral — a function of routine inconsistency, overtiredness, or separation anxiety — rather than medical.
What Actually Helps
- Consistent bedtime routine — bath, book, and bed at the same time every night helps regulate the circadian rhythm
- Age-appropriate bedtime — overtired children actually sleep worse; most toddlers need to be in bed by 7-7:30 p.m.
- Sleep environment — dark, cool, and quiet; white noise can help mask household sounds
- Limit screens in the 1-2 hours before bed — blue light suppresses melatonin
- Allow some self-soothing — children who are always rocked or fed to sleep often can’t return to sleep independently when they wake between sleep cycles
When To Seek Help
Speak with your pediatric provider if your child snores loudly or frequently, shows pauses in breathing during sleep (possible sleep apnea), or has sleep problems that are significantly affecting daytime behavior, learning, or mood.
Sleep concerns? Bring them to the next well-child visit or call (702) 457-5437 to discuss.