Night waking

Night waking refers to the occurrence of a baby or young child waking during the night. The NHS states that "newborn babies invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months," and the Lullaby Trust confirms that frequent night waking is normal across the first year of life. Waking is an inherent feature of infant sleep because of the structure of the infant sleep cycle, the frequency of feeding need, and the immaturity of circadian regulation.

How often do babies typically wake at night?

The Lullaby Trust reports that almost two thirds (59%) of parents with babies under a year old say their baby sleeps for less than four hours at a stretch. Night waking frequency varies considerably by age and by individual baby. The Lullaby Trust notes that "around a third of babies will have never slept all night by 12 months," illustrating that sleeping through the night is not universal in the first year.

What causes night waking?

Night waking in infancy has multiple causes. Babies have small stomachs and require frequent feeding, including overnight. The structure of the infant sleep cycle — in which babies enter light, active (REM) sleep before transitioning to deeper sleep, across cycles of approximately one hour — means arousal between cycles is a natural and expected event. The NHS notes that growth spurts, teething, and illnesses can all affect how a baby sleeps. The Lullaby Trust cautions that night waking serves an important protective function: the ability to arouse from sleep is a key survival response in infancy.

When do babies typically wake less at night?

The NHS notes that some babies may sleep for five to eight hours or longer at night from around three to six months, though this is not universal. From six to twelve months, some babies may sleep for up to twelve hours at night, but teething, illness, and hunger may cause periods of increased waking. The Lullaby Trust advises that individual variation is normal and that parents should contact their health visitor, midwife, or GP if they are concerned about their baby's sleep.