Most "sleep rules" you hear from relatives and friends are myths! Your baby is probably sleeping normally for their age. Night waking is biologically normal for babies - it doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. This guide debunks 5 common myths that cause unnecessary stress for Indian parents.
Watch: How to Know When Your Baby Is Sleepy 😴 | Baby Sleep Cues Every Parent Should Know
Before we bust the myths, understand this: baby sleep is VERY different from adult sleep.
This means frequent waking is NORMAL and HEALTHY, not a problem to fix.
"Padosi ki beti 3 mahine mein poori raat soti thi. Tumhara bachcha abhi tak kyun nahi sota?"
Every baby is different. There is NO magical age when all babies start sleeping through the night.
| Age | Realistic Expectation |
|---|---|
| 0-3 months | Wake every 2-3 hours for feeding - NORMAL |
| 3-6 months | May have one 4-5 hour stretch - if lucky! |
| 6-9 months | Some babies sleep longer, many still wake 1-2 times |
| 9-12 months | Many (not all!) can sleep 6-8 hours |
| 12+ months | Night waking still common during teething, illness, milestones |
"Sleeping through the night" medically means just 5-6 hours - not 8-12 hours!
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"Sote bachche ko kabhi mat jagao - neend mein disturb nahi karna chahiye."
Sometimes you SHOULD wake your sleeping baby!
Wake your baby if:
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"Jaldi sulaaoge toh jaldi uth jayega. Raat ko 10-11 baje sulaao."
Actually, the opposite is true! Overtired babies sleep WORSE.
Optimal bedtimes by age:
| Age | Ideal Bedtime |
|---|---|
| Newborn | No fixed time - follow cues |
| 3-6 months | 7-8 PM |
| 6-12 months | 6:30-7:30 PM |
| Toddlers | 7-8 PM |
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"Dawai ki dukaan se neend ki drops le lo, bachcha achhi neend soyega."
There are NO safe sleep drops for babies!
Dangers of "sleep drops" or "gripe water with sedatives":
What actually helps sleep:
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"Thoda cerelac/dal ka paani shuru kar do, pet bhar jayega toh poori raat soyega."
Multiple studies show this is FALSE. Solid food does NOT improve baby sleep.
What research shows:
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Instead of myths, focus on these proven helpers:
Contact your pediatrician if:
| Age | Total Sleep (24 hrs) | Night Sleep | Naps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 14-17 hours | 8-9 hours (interrupted) | 4-5 naps |
| 4-6 months | 12-16 hours | 9-10 hours | 3 naps |
| 6-12 months | 12-16 hours | 10-11 hours | 2 naps |
| 1-2 years | 11-14 hours | 10-11 hours | 1-2 naps |
Remember: These are averages. Your baby may need more or less!
A: YES! Completely normal for a 3-month-old. Their small stomach empties quickly, and they genuinely need to feed frequently. Breast milk digests in about 2-3 hours. This is not a sleep problem - it's normal infant biology. It will improve with time.
A: This is VERY common! Babies love being held - they spent 9 months in a cozy womb. For newborns, this is normal. After 3-4 months, you can gradually teach independent sleep: put baby down drowsy but awake, use white noise, try warming the bed surface before laying baby down. Don't feel guilty about holding - it won't "spoil" your baby.
A: Keep interactions boring! Don't turn on lights, don't play, keep voice soft and monotonous. Feed if needed, change diaper only if necessary. Baby will learn that nighttime is not playtime. This phase usually passes. Ensure daytime has enough stimulation and natural light.
A: Partially true, but not always. Yes, excessive day sleep can affect night sleep, especially after 4 months. But UNDERTIRED babies also sleep poorly! There's a sweet spot. Age-appropriate naps actually HELP night sleep. Skipping naps usually backfires - overtired babies sleep worse.
A: Most likely nothing is wrong! Every baby is different. Some babies naturally have "higher sleep needs" and wake more. Check: Is baby gaining weight? Happy when awake? Meeting milestones? If yes, baby is probably fine. Some babies need more parental support to sleep - it's temperament, not a problem.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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