When Do Premature Babies Start Sleeping Through the Night?

Premature babies simply aren't ready to thrive independently when they're born. Though technology has made it far less risky for a baby to be born prematurely, keep in mind that a preemie has very different needs from a full-term baby. This includes sleep patterns. Though many full-term babies sleep through the night as early as 3 months old, depending on how early your preemie was born, it may take her many more weeks to sleep for longer stretches of time.

  1. Newborn Babies and Sleep

    • According to KidsHealth.org, it's best if a newborn doesn't sleep through the night, but instead wakes to feed at least every three to four hours. If your premature baby is breastfed, she may need to nurse even more often. Don't ignore your baby's hunger cues; it's essential that she eats as often as she likes so that she gains weight. Once your baby passes her original due date, her sleep patterns -- as long as she's healthy -- should progress similarly to that of a full-term baby.

    Crib Sleeping vs. Cosleeping

    • Babies who sleep in a crib tend to fall into deeper sleep than those who share a bed with their parents. The MayoClinic.com reports that many full-term babies sleep five hours at a time when they reach 3 months old, so tack on the number weeks your baby was born before her due date, and that's when she may be capable of sleeping "through the night." However, if your baby sleeps near you in a cosleeping device or bassinet, your closeness may keep her from falling into too deep a sleep, which could make her wake up more frequently for the first several months of her life. Ask your pediatrician which style of sleeping is best for your infant.

    Developing Good Sleep Habits

    • When your baby is old enough to stay awake for hours at a time, encourage activity during the day to stimulate your baby's body and mind. Pick a consistent sleep routine that makes sense for your family; if your baby likes to stay up until 9 p.m., don't try to put him to bed at 7. Put him to sleep when he's drowsy so he learns to fall asleep by himself, and if he stirs or whimpers, give him a few moments to settle down. He may only need you to rub his belly or whisper to him to reassure him that you're there before he dozes off. Regardless of whether your baby sleeps with you or in a crib, always put her down on her back.

    Health Problems

    • If your preemie has feeding tubes or monitors attached to him, he may not be able to fall into a deep sleep. "Apnea of prematurity," or absence of breathing, interferes with sleep training and is also very common; about half of all premature babies experience this, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Although it's challenging, it's better for your baby not to sleep through the night if she has apnea. Stimulating a baby with apnea during sleep is better for his health because it triggers breathing.

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