When will my baby sleep through the night? A universal question among young parents

When welcoming a new baby, one of the first concerns is sleep. And with good reason: a good night's sleep is essential, not only for the infant's development, but also for the parents' balance and well-being. However, every child has his or her own rhythm, and there's no magic solution for getting him or her to sleep soundly overnight.

The aim of this article is to help you understand the mechanisms of sleep in babies, the stages of their development and to give you practical advice, based on current knowledge in pediatrics and neuroscience, to promote more peaceful nights for the whole family.

Sleep is a vital function at any age, but in infants it plays a fundamental role in their development. During sleep, many essential biological processes take place:

Secretion of growth hormone, essential for physical development
Maturation of the brain, consolidating learning and memory
Strengthens the immune system
Regulation of emotions and stress
Physical and nervous recovery

Prolonged sleep deprivation can affect a baby's mood, appetite and even psychomotor development. So it's essential to help your child learn a good sleep rhythm.

Sleep requirements change gradually:

• Newborns (0-3 months): 14 to 18 hours sleep per day, in short cycles
• 6 months: 14 hours of sleep, with longer night-time periods
• 1 year: 13 to 14 hours of sleep, often divided between the night and one or two naps
• 3 years: 12 to 13 hours, usually with an afternoon nap

In adults, sleep stabilizes at around 7 to 9 hours a night.

Unlike adults, who go through 90-minute cycles of light, deep and REM sleep, toddlers sleep differently:

 Birth to 3 months: Deep sleep is not yet well structured, which is why your baby often wakes up. His cycles are short (50 to 60 minutes), alternating between restless and calm sleep.

 Between 3 months and 2 years: Cycles become progressively longer (around 70 minutes). The biological clock begins to regulate, and night-time sleep periods become more stable.

 From age 2: Sleep becomes more like that of adults, with cycles of 90 to 120 minutes. This is also when night terrors and confusional awakenings can appear.

It's normal for your baby to wake up briefly between cycles. The important thing is to gradually teach him to go back to sleep on his own.

1. promote a healthy day/night rhythm
At birth, an infant cannot yet distinguish between day and night. His biological clock is gradually being set, influenced by the alternation of light and darkness. Around 8 to 10 weeks, he begins to adapt naturally.

 Daytime:

• Expose it to natural light
• Play and interact with it
• Leave the usual everyday noises (conversation, TV, vacuum cleaner...).

 At night :

• Dim the lights
• Speak softly and avoid stimuli
• Change the diaper only when necessary
   

 2. Establish a bedtime routine
Babies love repetition: it reassures them and helps them to anticipate. Setting up a ritual before bedtime helps signal to the child that bedtime is approaching.

Example of a simple and effective routine (about 20 minutes):
A warm bath
A last meal or feed
A story or lullaby
A cuddle before putting him to bed

 3. Ensure a sleep-friendly environment

• A firm mattress with no pillows or lint in the bed
• Ideal temperature between 18 and 20°C
• A calm atmosphere, without excessive noise
• No screens before bedtime (blue light disrupts melatonin production)

 4. Respect your natural rhythm
Every baby is unique. Some will sleep 6 hours in a row at 2 months, others at 6 or 10 months. Here are a few guidelines:

 Reassuring statistics:

• 25% of babies sleep through the night around 2 months of age
• 75% do it at 4 months
• 90% achieve it by 10 months

If your baby takes longer, don't worry! The most important thing is that he progresses at his own pace.

Even when childbirth goes well, it can cause tension in the newborn, particularly in the skull, neck and pelvis. These micro imbalances can have an impact on sleep, disrupting :

General comfort (difficulty finding a soothing position)
Digestive system (reflux, colic, bloating)
Ability to relax and manage stress

A consultation with an osteopath specialized in pediatrics can detect and relieve these tensions. Numerous studies suggest that osteopathy can improve the quality of sleep in infants by reducing certain discomforts.

Infant sleep is an evolutionary process that takes place gradually. Be patient and kind to yourself and your baby. Every child has his or her own rhythm, and there is no universal solution.

If you have any doubts or concerns, don't hesitate to consult a pediatrician or pediatric osteopath to help you on this wonderful adventure.

And above all, remember: a calm baby starts with calm parents. Take care of yourself too!