How to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

Shannon Tolbert
May 31
3 min read

Updated: Oct 7

If you’ve ever found yourself rocking, shushing, or pacing the floor at 3 a.m. wondering if your baby will ever sleep through the night, you’re not alone. Every parent has been there, and it can feel exhausting and overwhelming.

The good news? Sleeping through the night isn’t just a dream, it’s a skill your baby can learn with time, consistency, and gentle guidance. With the right approach, those long nights can turn into calm, restful evenings for the whole family.

Why Sleeping Through the Night Feels so Hard

Babies aren’t born knowing how to sleep for long stretches. Their tiny bodies and developing brains wake for all sorts of reasons—hunger, teething, growth spurts, or just needing comfort.

As a working mom of three, I’ve been there—trying to rock one baby back to sleep while thinking about an early morning meeting. I remember wondering if peaceful nights were even possible. (Spoiler: they are.)

So if you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or even guilty about your baby’s sleep, take a deep breath. You’re doing your best—and that’s exactly what your baby needs most.

Build a Calming Bedtime Routine

One of the best things you can do to encourage sleeping through the night is to create a simple, predictable bedtime routine. Babies thrive on knowing what comes next—it helps them feel safe and ready for rest.

Try keeping your nightly rhythm around 20–30 minutes. It might look something like this:

A warm bath and fresh PJs
A short story or quiet lullaby
Dimming the lights and soft goodnights
Some gentle snuggles before putting baby down

When bedtime feels peaceful and familiar, your little one learns to connect these moments with sleep.

A cozy nursery scene with soft lighting and a parent reading a bedtime story to their baby. — Parent reading bedtime story to baby.

Make Their Sleep Space a Little Sanctuary

Environment matters more than most parents realize. Small tweaks can help your baby sleep longer and deeper. Try these:

Keep the room cool and comfortable (around 68–72°F)
Use blackout curtain to block light
Add white noise to mask household sounds
Keep comfort objects nearby (a favorite blanket or snuggly - depending on child's age)

A cozy, calm sleep space signals to your baby: "You are safe. You can rest now."

Eye-level view of a serene children's bedroom — A peaceful baby nursery with blackout curtains and a softly glowing nightlight.

Gentle Strategies to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

When you’re running on fumes, you don’t need complicated advice, you need something realistic. Here are a few simple shifts that truly help:

Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time. Babies adjust faster when their schedule is consistent.
Turn off screens at least an hour before bed. Blue light and bedtime don’t mix.
Encourage daytime play. Physical activity helps burn off energy for deeper sleep.
Watch for sleep cues. Yawning, eye-rubbing, or fussiness mean it’s time to wind down.
Be patient and consistent. This one’s tough—but steady routines are where the magic happens.

Remember: progress is rarely perfect. Every little step forward counts.

When It’s Time to Ask for Help

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, sleep still feels impossible and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you care enough to seek support.

A baby sleep consultant can help you understand what’s really behind the sleepless nights and create a plan that works for your family. Every child is different, and sometimes you just need someone who’s walked the road before to walk it with you.

As a working mom who’s been through the sleepless trenches, I know how powerful that support can be—and how much peace it brings.

High angle view of a tranquil child's sleep space — Smiling well-rested parents and baby

A Gentle Reminder for Tired Parents

Parenting through sleepless nights is hard really hard. But you are doing an incredible job. Even when it feels messy, you’re teaching your baby comfort, security, and love.

Better sleep is coming. One night, you’ll realize your baby slept through the night and you did too. And that first full stretch of rest? It’s life-changing. Trust me, I know! I have lived it 3 TIMES!!!!

You’ve got this, and I’m here to help when you’re ready.