Sleeping through the night - what exactly does this mean?

 
What is sleeping through the night for one parent may not be the same definition to another.  When I am helping families with their baby and children’s sleep,  I often hear  anecdotes of friends with babies the same age who reportedly “ sleep  through the night”. This can be quite distressing for some who are feeling very sleep deprived and that they are somehow doing something wrong because their baby is not doing what others babies of the same age are.  Particularly when sleep is so precious.

With further questioning from me, often, the report of sleeping through the night is different to their  idea of sleeping through the night.  It is definitely open to interpretation.  And given that we all have different backgrounds, expectations, supports ,  lifestyles and personalities this is not surprising. Our expectations are definitely open to interpretation and just like Chinese whispers, the story can sometimes morph a little in the delivery with no intention.

Sleeping through the night means something different to everyone.  The variations include sleeping for 6 hours in one go, sleeping through one feed over night, sleeping 10 hours in one go, waking 3-4 hourly for feeds and going straight back to sleep.

I have heard these reports of sleeping through the night from different people when I question them further on what exactly is happening during the night.

My point for you is to bear this in mind when interrupted sleep with your little one is leaving you questioning whether you are doing something wrong. OR when your friends or acquaintances report that their baby, the same age as yours sleeps through the night.

Ask others directly if baby feeds during the night, how often, what time.  When you ask them exactly what happens sometimes reality is a little different to your idea.

It is not wrong, just perception and expectation differences.

Generally, most babies will still wake overnight at least once until about 6 months of age.  It is often  earlier, and that is a bonus, however we would not expect it until then.