My baby is 3 1/2 months old, and she sleeps about 7-8 hours straight, is that normal?

Question

My daughter is only 3 and a half months old , but she goes to sleep by 10:30 pm and is wakes up around 6. She has been doing this for the last month. She does NOT wake up more hungry than normal. She is not underweight nor overweight. She does NOT get cereal or anything else, she is only on formula. Is this normal? Is this healthy? Am i over reacting or should i just be grateful that i have such a good sleeping child?

Answer 1

She is normal.

You are a very lucky mom.

Answer 2

The First 6 Months

There is no sleep formula for newborns because their internal clocks aren't fully developed yet. They generally sleep or drowse for 16 to 20 hours a day, divided about equally between night and day.

Newborns should be awakened every 3 to 4 hours until their weight gain is established, which typically happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK if a baby sleeps for longer periods of time. But don't get your slumber hopes up just yet — most infants won't snooze for extended periods of time because they get hungry.

Newborns' longest sleep periods are generally 4 or 5 hours — this is about how long their small bellies can go between feedings. If newborns do sleep for a while, they will likely be extra hungry during the day and may want to nurse or get the bottle more frequently.

Just when parents feel that sleeping through the night seems like a far-off dream, their baby's sleep time usually begins to shift toward night. At 3 months, a baby averages 5 hours of sleep during the day and 10 hours at night, usually with an interruption or two. About 90% of babies this age sleep through the night, meaning 6 to 8 hours in a row.

But it's important to recognize that babies aren't always awake when they sound like they are; they can cry and make all sorts of other noises during light sleep. Even if they do wake up in the night, they may only be awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again on their own. It's best if babies learn early to get themselves to sleep, so let your baby try.

If a baby under 6 months old continues to cry for several minutes, it's time to respond. Your baby may be genuinely uncomfortable: hungry, wet, cold, or even sick. But routine nighttime awakenings for changing and feeding should be as quick and quiet as possible. Don't provide any unnecessary stimulation, such as talking, playing, or turning on the lights. Encourage the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. You have to teach this because your baby doesn't care what time it is as long as his or her needs are met.

Ideally, your baby should be placed in the crib before falling asleep. And it's not too early to establish a simple bedtime routine. Any soothing activities, performed consistently and in the same order each night, can make up the routine. Your baby will associate these with sleeping, and they'll help him or her wind down. You want your child to fall asleep independently, and a routine encourages babies to go back to sleep if they should wake up in the middle of the night.

Answer 3

Yes it's normal for some babies, you are one of the lucky ones. So am I for that matter. My son, 3 months, has been sleeping through the night for a couple of weeks now. He goes to bed around 9, wakes up at 4 for a bottle, then goes back to sleep until around 7. (He's making up for my daughter who never slept, lol) As long as she is healthy and gaining weight properly, no worries. Enjoy the sleep!

Answer 4

My daughter is only almost 2 months and its that same way she fights her sleep so much during the day finally falls asleep at like 5 or 6 into a good sleep then sleeps up until about 7 in the morning unless she needs a diaper change or something so i think that you baby is perfectly healthy and is okay i think we should both just be happy that our babys sleep through the night unlike other babies who are up alot..best of luck to you

Answer 5

I say its normal. My daughter has also been sleeping this way since she was 2 months old and she is also now 3 1/2 months old. She goes to sleep between 9:00-10:30 pm and doesnt wake up until between 6-8 am. I say we were blessed. Enjoy your sleep and your precious one. When was she born?? Mines was born April 3rd.

Answer 6

Gurrrl, be VERY thankful...I couldn't get my daughter (now 7) to sleep more than 45 minutes at a time the first 3 months...she was soooo colicky and fussy...after 3 months she would give me a 2-3 hour break...they are suppose to sleep I think at that stage up to 18 hours a day...seriously...babies need a TON of sleep- it helps w/ their brain development...when she is getting ready for a growth spurt she will start eating like there is no tomorrow!

Answer 7

You should be extremely greatful that you have such a good sleeper. Don't worry, if she's hungry she'll wake up. As long as she's getting enough during the day and isn't have any problem she's fine. Enjoy the sleep!!

Answer 8

Each child is different.. For some sleeping through the night from birth is normal... For others waking 3-5 times a night well into age 2-3 and later is normal... As long as she is taking enough food through out the day and growing well count yourself luck to be able to get a good nights sleep some parents are up multiple times a night..

Answer 9

If she is not underweight and she isn't more hungry than usual when she does wake up then she is fine..Don't worry, it just means you have a good baby..I, myself, have a 10month old and when she was 3 1/2 months she was sleeping from 8pm till about 5am and she is perfectly healthy and growing just fine! :-) Be greatful you have one that lets you get some sleep..lol..i know i was when mine was that age! :-).. Good luck with the lil' one

Answer 10

I took my baby last week for her 2 month well check up, and told the pediatrician about her sleeping for 6 hours straight at night. He told me that it was fine, and to let her sleep. His nurse practioner told me to count myself lucky, because she has a daughter that is 2 months also. I can't sleep because I keep waking up to check on her.

Answer 11

All my 3 boys did the same thing at that age even sometimes 10 hours a night! It is normal and FANTASTIC. You are a very lucky mum.