When it comes to understanding baby and toddler sleep expectations, many parents feel confused about what “sleeping through the night” truly means.
In this episode of the Little Z’s Sleep Podcast, I’m answering a question from Rachel, who asked for clarification on this topic.
Baby and Toddler sleep expectations can be quite a mixed bag as you look around the sleep world. Before we get into this blog, remember that there are varying sleep philosophies!
My advice for parents as you seek sleep help is to find the person that you align with and find success even listening to their free information for sleep expectations before you dive in deeper!
Whether you’re a new listener or a long-time follower, this discussion will help set realistic sleep expectations for your baby or toddler, covering what to anticipate at each stage of their development.
Newborn Sleep: Expectation vs. Reality
Newborns, defined as babies from birth to 15 weeks old, do not sleep through the night—and they aren’t supposed to!
It’s important to set realistic expectations during this stage! Here at Little Z’s we are all about setting an expectation that you can develop a routine with a newborn, not a schedule.
Newborns can sleep anywhere from 14 to 18 hours within a 24-hour period, and this can vary from day to day.
Their sleep is chaotic and unpredictable because their sleep cycles are not yet mature compared to older babies and even adults!
During this period, the focus should be on establishing key routines: awake windows, nap and bedtime routines, and regular feedings.
While there may be pressure to get your baby to sleep through the night, especially with short maternity leaves, it’s essential to understand that newborns naturally wake up frequently, often needing one or two-night feeds!
If you would like help getting your Newborn on a daily routine and understand more about their sleep needs, grab our free Newborn Routines Guide here!
Baby Sleep: Four to Five Months Old Sleep Expectations
As your baby transitions from the newborn stage to babyhood, sleep expectations begin to shift!
This occurs around the 16 week mark and is often confused as the “4 month sleep regression” … when in reality your baby is simply maturing in sleep cycles!
At four to five months old, I define sleeping through the night as getting 11 to 12 hours of sleep, possibly with one nighttime feed.
Not all babies will drop this feed immediately, but by teaching your baby that food is for nourishment, not for sleep, many will naturally start sleeping through the night without needing that feed!
Inside of my Baby Sleep Training Course I walk families through a step by step method to teach your 4-5 month old how to self-soothe and put themselves to sleep, while allowing a night feed.
Baby, Toddler and Preschooler Sleep Expectations: What’s Normal?
From six months up to three years old, the goal remains the same—11 to 12 hours of sleep through the night. Plus a solid nap schedule.
(Not sure what schedule your child should have? Get a totally free schedule using my Schedule Generator here)
As children grow, they become more adept at self-soothing and navigating their sleep cycles independently.
By the time they reach three to five years old, they might need 10 to 12 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period, especially as naps start to phase out.
At this stage, consistency is key!!
Bedtime remains a priority, and as children drop naps, bedtime routines and sleep duration may need to be adjusted.
It’s not uncommon for toddlers and preschoolers to experience a bit of restlessness during sleep, particularly if they’ve had a very active day.
If your child seems more restless at night, consider adjusting bedtime by 15 to 30 minutes earlier.
Understanding Sleep Cycles: Everyone Wakes Up
It’s important to recognize that no one sleeps straight through the night without waking up—adults included!
Sleep cycles, which last about 90 minutes for adults and children over four months old, naturally include brief awakenings.
These partial arousals are completely normal and are a sign that your child’s sleep is maturing!
During these awakenings, your child might change positions, grab a favorite toy, or even briefly sit up before settling back down.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t sleeping through the night; it’s just part of the sleep process.
The key is that they can do this independently without needing you to intervene.
Sleep Training: A Lifelong Skill
When I talk about sleep training, I’m referring to teaching your child how to manage their sleep independently.
This is a skill that will serve them for life!
Just like learning to manage finances or cook meals, understanding how to sleep well is something that can and should be taught from a young age.
As parents, we have the opportunity to set our children up for success by instilling healthy sleep habits early on.
This not only benefits them now but also equips them with the skills they need to navigate sleep as they grow!
Final Thoughts: Baby and Toddler Sleep Expectations
To sum up, understanding baby and toddler sleep expectations is all about setting realistic goals based on your child’s age and developmental stage.
“Sleeping through the night” often means different things for different ages, from newborns to preschoolers.
Remember, independent sleep is a skill that can be taught and nurtured, providing long-term benefits for your child!
If you are ready to make sleep a thing for your family, shop our Step-by-Step Sleep Training Courses here!
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