Night Waking in Infancy: A Normal Part of Development

As any parent can attest, the first few years of a child's life are marked by many sleepless nights.

However, the expectation that infants should sleep through the night by a certain age is widespread, leading to considerable stress and concern among parents when their babies do not sleep through the night.

The good news is that several studies offer reassuring news: Night waking in infancy is normal and does not necessarily indicate a problem. In fact, it is a common part of healthy development.

In this post, I delve into findings from several studies that highlight that night waking is a normal part of infancy and how parents can manage their expectations and experiences.

Understanding Infant Sleep Patterns

Sleep patterns in infants differ vastly from those of adults. Newborns and young infants experience shorter sleep cycles, and their need for feeding and comfort during the night often leads to multiple awakenings. This can be perplexing and exhausting for parents who expect their infants to sleep for extended periods.

Below, I share key findings that can put parental worries to rest:

In a study by Marie-Hélène Pennestri and colleagues,¹ researchers sought to understand the proportion of infants who sleep through the night and the impact of this on development and maternal mood. The study involved 388 mother-infant dyads, with sleep patterns and maternal mood assessed at various stages: 6, 12, and 36 months.

They found that:

• There was a prevalence of night waking. For example, 57 percent of 6-month-old infants and 43.4 percent of 12-month-old infants were not sleeping through the night (defined as 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep).
• There were no significant associations between sleeping through the night and mental or psychomotor development.
• Night waking did not significantly affect maternal mood.
• Infants who woke during the night were more likely to be breastfed.

Another study by Scher² found that more than 50 percent of 12-month-old infants were waking up during the night, and in the words of the researcher, “the present study confirms that night waking, at 1 year of age, is a prevalent phenomenon.”

Finally, Juulia Paavonen and colleagues³ examined sleep development in infants from 3 to 24 months of age using data from two large birth cohorts. In congruence with the above studies, they found that night waking was common at all time points, including 24 months, with 28.4 percent of 2-year-olds still waking up every night or almost every night.

The findings from these studies have several important implications for parents and those who support them:

• Reassuring normalcy: Understanding that night waking is normal can help parents feel less anxious and more accepting of their infant's sleep patterns. This can reduce stress and promote a more relaxed approach to nighttime parenting.
• Night wakings are protective of breastfeeding: In this way, night waking is beneficial for both mother and child. The nutritional, immunological, and bonding aspects of breastfeeding have lifelong benefits.
• Realistic expectations: Setting realistic expectations for infant sleep can prevent disappointment and frustration. Knowing that many infants do not sleep through the night by their second birthday can help parents manage their anticipations better.
• Support systems: Professional support should emphasize normal sleep variations and provide strategies that help parents create a safe and comforting sleep environment, establishing calming bedtime flows and addressing any concerns about sleep without resorting to sleep training methods that are not aligned with brain development research.
• Focus on development: Instead of focusing solely on achieving uninterrupted sleep, parents and professionals should pay attention to overall developmental milestones and well-being. Healthy growth, emotional security, and a strong parent-child bond are paramount.

Practical Tips for Parents

While night waking is normal, there are ways to manage it effectively to ensure that both the baby and parents get sufficient rest:

• Experiment with a calming bedtime routine: Establishing a calming and predictable routine before bedtime can signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This can include activities like a warm bath, massage, gentle rocking, or reading a bedtime story.
• Ensure a safe sleep environment: Ensure that the baby’s sleep area is safe, comfortable, and conducive to sleep. In the vast majority of babies, a safe sleep environment includes parental presence.
• Practice responsive parenting: Responding to your baby’s needs during the night can foster a sense of security, of paramount importance in attuning to the baby's needs.
• Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from family, friends, or professionals who are knowledgeable both about infant sleep and brain development. Sometimes, just talking about your experiences can provide relief and new perspectives.

Night waking in infancy is a normal and expected part of development. Many infants do not sleep through the night, and this does not negatively impact their development. By understanding and accepting this, parents can reduce stress and focus on creating a nurturing and supportive environment for their child’s overall growth. Nighttime parenting, while challenging, is an opportunity to strengthen the bond with your child and support their healthy development.