No, most four-month babies don’t sleep a full night; many manage a 6–8-hour stretch while others still wake to feed.
At four months, sleep starts to organize. Many babies link cycles and give a decent stretch after bedtime, then wake for a feed. Others wake more often while their body clock settles. Your aims right now: set a steady routine, protect safe sleep, and shape nights without skipping nutrition needs.
What “Through The Night” Really Means
Parents often hear that a baby is “sleeping through.” In pediatric notes, this usually means one continuous stretch of 6–8 hours, not a 12-hour marathon. That detail matters. A baby who sleeps 7 hours straight from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. may still wake once and then sleep again until morning. Many four-month babies land in this pattern before they reach a full, unbroken night.
Typical Night Patterns At Four Months
Here’s a broad look at common night outcomes at this age. Use it to set expectations and to pick gentle tweaks that fit your baby’s feeding plan and health needs.
| Night Stretch | What It Often Signals | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 hours | Short cycles, snack feeds, or overtired evenings | Shift bedtime earlier; pad daytime calories; settle in the crib |
| 4–5 hours | Consolidation starting | Keep a steady wind-down and dark room; respond with calm, low-stimulation care |
| 6–8 hours | Many meet this milestone at four months | Offer a full feed at bedtime; allow brief pauses before intervening |
| 8–10 hours | Some reach this soon; others take weeks | Protect naps and wake windows; avoid long late-day naps |
| Multiple wakings | Common during the 4-month regression | Hold the routine; teach one settling skill at a time |
| Every hour | Strong sleep associations or reflux/illness | Check with your clinician; simplify sleep cues |
| Early rising (4–5 a.m.) | Too-late bedtime or big last nap | Shift bedtime 15–30 minutes earlier; shorten the last nap |
| Long morning sleep | Classic night “split” | Wake for the day by 7–8 a.m.; keep first nap near the window |
How Much Total Sleep A Day?
Most four- to twelve-month babies do well with 12–16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps. That range comes from pediatric sleep consensus endorsed by major groups. Treat it as a guide, not a quota. Aim for steady patterns rather than chasing a number on a tracker.
Can 4-Month Babies Sleep Through The Night? Realistic Expectations
Many can give one long stretch, yet full nights without any wakes are less common at this age. Feeding needs, weight gain plans, and temperament all play a part. If your pediatrician wants night feeds kept, honor that plan. If growth is steady and a long stretch appears, you can lengthen it by shaping the routine and the sleep setting.
Why Sleep Feels Harder Around Four Months
Parents often notice a “4-month sleep regression.” Around this stage, babies shift from newborn patterns to adult-like stages with lighter sleep between cycles. That change makes brief wakes more obvious. New skills—rolling, babbling, grabbing—also bring a busy brain to bed. The fix: anchor naps, keep bedtime steady, and teach one way to settle that doesn’t rely only on feeding or motion.
Safe Sleep Rules You Should Never Skip
Back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding or pillows. Share a room, not a bed, for the first six months. Avoid sleep in car seats and swings once you’re home. Keep the crib clear; use a fitted sheet only. Dress for the room temp and use a wearable blanket if needed. These steps cut risk while you work on longer stretches.
Daytime Routine That Sets Up The Night
Day rhythm shapes night rhythm. Think steady wake time, light-filled mornings, active play, and naps that don’t run too late. Many four-month babies do well with 3–4 naps and 1.5–2.5-hour wake windows. Feed every 2.5–3.5 hours during the day so calories shift toward daylight. A short “tank-up” feed near bedtime can extend the first stretch.
Sample Wake Windows And Nap Flow
Use these windows as a starting point. Your baby’s cues win. If eyes glaze, movement slows, or fussiness rises, shorten the window that day.
The Bedtime Routine That Teaches Sleep
Pick 3–5 calm steps and repeat them nightly in the same order. Think bath, pajamas, feed, book, song, lights out. Keep lights dim and voices low for the last 20–30 minutes. Aim to place your baby in the crib drowsy but awake a few nights a week, then more often. This gentle practice teaches linking cycles in the crib, not only in your arms.
Routines That Work
- Set bedtime around 7–8 p.m. and stay within a 30-minute band.
- Close the last wake window a bit shorter than midday ones.
- Use white noise at a safe volume to mask household sound.
- Darken the room fully; small leaks of light can cue wakes.
- Pick one settling cue—hand on chest, shush-pat, or brief rocking—and repeat it the same way.
Feeding Plans And Night Stretches
Calories drive sleep. If daytime intake rises, nights often lengthen. Many babies still need one or two night feeds at four months. If growth is steady and your clinician agrees, try a gentle wean by widening the time between night feeds or trimming minutes per feed. Keep any night feed calm: lights low, diaper only if needed, and back to the crib awake when you can.
Step-By-Step Night Shaping Plan (One Week)
Night One And Two
Set bedtime in a tight window, dim lights early, and offer a full feed. At the first mild wake, pause 60–90 seconds. If fussing grows, use your chosen cue. Keep the room dark and your moves simple.
Night Three And Four
Lengthen the first pause by 30–60 seconds. If you feed at night, keep one feed near the midpoint of the night rather than early. Aim to lay down drowsy at least once.
Night Five And Six
Hold the routine. Protect naps to avoid an overtired bedtime. Keep pauses brief but consistent. Many babies start to link that first tricky cycle here.
Night Seven
Review the log. If the first stretch grew and wakes are milder, stay the course. If wakes remain hourly, strip back extra cues and speak with your pediatric office about reflux, allergies, or other issues.
Common Myths That Trip Parents Up
- “If I keep the baby up late, they’ll sleep longer.” Overtired brains fire up. Early bedtimes usually lead to longer first stretches.
- “Dark rooms make naps too long.” Day sleep needs darkness as much as night sleep. Cap the last nap instead of keeping the room bright.
- “More solids fix night wakes.” At four months, milk is the main fuel. Solids come later when your doctor clears it.
- “Only strict schedules work.” A repeatable rhythm beats a rigid clock. Follow wake windows plus your baby’s cues.
Science Of Sleep At Four Months
Sleep comes in cycles. Around this age, cycles last about 40–60 minutes with light stages between deeper ones. As circadian signals mature, the first long stretch tends to land in the first half of the night. Gentle practice falling asleep in the crib makes it easier to pass those light stages without full wakes. Think of it as training wheels for linking cycles on their own.
Troubleshooting: Quick Checks
- Bedtime too late? Move it earlier by 15 minutes and hold for three nights.
- Nap gap too long? Shorten the last wake window.
- Room too bright? Patch light leaks; even tiny LEDs can cue wakes.
- Too many cues? Keep one or two. Drop extras slowly.
- Day feeds light? Offer a full feed every 2.5–3.5 hours.
Special Cases: Preemies, Twins, And Health Notes
If your baby was born early, go by adjusted age for wake windows and milestones. Twins often need tighter daytime structure so both can land bedtime in the same band. If you see loud snoring, long pauses, color change, labored breathing, reflux that interrupts feeds, or poor weight gain, call your pediatric office. Bring a short log and a brief clip if you have one.
Sample Day So Nights Run Smoother
Here’s a sample 24-hour rhythm for a healthy, term four-month baby. Adjust for your feeding plan and your doctor’s guidance.
| Time Block | Target Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. wake & feed | 30–45 min | Light exposure; playful chat |
| First nap | 60–90 min | Wake window ~1.5–2 hours |
| Second nap | 60–90 min | Wake window ~2 hours |
| Third nap | 45–60 min | Keep it shorter than midday |
| Optional catnap | 20–30 min | Drop this first as nights extend |
| Bedtime routine | 20–30 min | Low light; same steps nightly |
| Night sleep | 10–12 hours total | Often 1–2 brief wakes to feed |
Gentle Ways To Lengthen The First Stretch
- Front-load calories during the day and offer a full feed before bed.
- Shift bedtime earlier by 15 minutes if evenings are fussy.
- Pause for a minute at a mild night peep; many resettle.
- If you pick up, keep the room dark and interaction low.
- Lay down drowsy a few times a week, then more often.
Room Setup That Helps
Think “dark, quiet, and boring.” Use blackout shades, steady white noise, and a clear crib. Check that the mattress is flat and firm and that the fitted sheet matches the product. Keep soft toys and extra blankets out. Dress with a sleep sack that allows free hip movement.
Travel, Growth Spurts, And Setbacks
Life happens. Short naps, time-zone shifts, and new skills can rock the boat. Protect the routine you can, accept the rest, and reset when you’re home and healthy. Most babies rebound in a week.
Helping A 4-Month Baby Sleep Through The Night: Practical Steps
Cap the last nap, keep bedtime steady, and keep nights boring. Offer a full feed before sleep. Keep overnight care short and dark. If your doctor is happy with weight gain, spread night feeds farther apart in small steps. Each small change teaches your baby what nights feel like at your home: calm, repeatable, and safe.
Helpful References For Safe, Restful Nights
For sleep duration ranges backed by pediatric groups, see the pediatric sleep duration consensus. For safe sleep setup, review the AAP safe sleep guidance. Both resources align with the advice in this guide.
So, can 4-month babies sleep through the night? Some do with a 6–8-hour stretch, and many reach full nights over the next few months with steady routines and safe sleep.