If you’re asking “why won’t my 7 month old sleep through the night,” you are far from alone. This is one of the most common and exhausting challenges parents face, and the reasons are often a mix of development, habit, and need.
It’s crucial to remember that “sleeping through the night” for a baby often means a 6-8 hour stretch, not necessarily sunset to sunrise. While some infants manage this earlier, many 7-month-olds still wake. This doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Let’s look at what’s happening with your baby and what you can try.
Why Won’t My 7 Month Old Sleep Through the Night
There’s rarely one single answer. At this age, several key factors are usually at play, all at once. Understanding these can help you choose the best path forward for your family.
Developmental Milestones and Sleep Regressions
Your baby is learning at an incredible pace. Major brain development can disrupt sleep.
- Motor Skills: Practicing rolling, sitting, or even crawling. They might wake up to practice or get stuck in a new position.
- Cognitive Leaps: Object permanence is developing. They now know you exist even when you leave the room, which can lead to separation anxiety at bedtime.
- Social Skills: They are more engaged and may fight sleep to stay with you.
- Teething: Discomfort from emerging teeth is a very common nighttime waker.
Hunger and Feeding Patterns
At 7 months, many babies don’t need a nighttime feed for nutrition, but the habit can be strong.
- If they consume most of their calories during the day, they are physically capable of a long night stretch.
- However, growth spurts can temporarily increase hunger. They might also nurse or bottle-feed for comfort, not just food.
Sleep Associations and Habits
This is often the biggest piece of the puzzle. How does your baby fall asleep at the start of the night?
- If they fall asleep while being rocked, fed, or held, they will need that same condition every time they wake between sleep cycles (which happens naturally every few hours).
- Learning to fall asleep independently at bedtime is the key to linking those cycles together overnight.
Schedule and Sleep Environment
Daytime sleep and timing have a huge impact on nighttime sleep.
- Too much or too little daytime sleep can make it harder to sleep at night.
- An bedtime that’s too early or too late can lead to frequent waking.
- A room that’s too warm, too bright, or not conducive to sleep can be a problem.
Common Health and Comfort Issues
Always rule out these basic needs first.
- Teething pain, as mentioned.
- Illness like a cold or ear infection.
- Discomfort from a wet diaper, itchy pajamas, or being too cold.
- Reflux or other digestive issues.
Practical Strategies to Encourage Longer Sleep
Now that we know the “why,” here are actionable steps you can take. Choose one or two areas to focus on at a time.
1. Establish a Strong, Calming Bedtime Routine
A predictable sequence signals to your baby’s brain that sleep is coming. Keep it consistent and calm, lasting 20-30 minutes.
- Example: Bath, massage, pajamas, book, song, then into the crib drowsy but awake.
- Do the last steps in the room where they sleep.
- Avoid stimulating play or screens before bed.
2. Work on Falling Asleep Independently
This is the most effective way to reduce night wakings. The goal is for baby to be placed in their crib awake and fall asleep on their own.
- You can do this gradually. Start by putting them down very drowsy, then less drowsy over time.
- If they fuss, you can use a method you’re comfortable with, like checking at increasing intervals or sitting quietly nearby.
- Consistency is absolutly vital for this to work.
3. Optimize the Daytime Schedule
At 7 months, most babies need 2-3 naps per day, with about 2.5-3.5 hours of awake time between sleeps.
- Aim for total daytime sleep of 3-4 hours. Too much napping can cut into night sleep.
- Ensure the last nap ends by 4:00 or 5:00 PM to build enough sleep pressure for bedtime.
- A consistent morning wake-up time helps set the body clock.
4. Evaluate Night Feedings
If your pediatrician confirms your baby doesn’t need the calories, you can gently reduce night feeds.
- Gradually shorten the length of each feeding by a minute or two.
- Or, slowly increase the time between feeds by soothing in other ways first.
- For bottle-fed babies, reduce the amount in the bottle by half an ounce each night.
5. Create an Ideal Sleep Environment
Make the bedroom a cave: dark, cool, and quiet.
- Use blackout curtains to keep it dark.
- A white noise machine can mask household sounds.
- Keep the room temperature between 68-72°F (20-22°C).
- Ensure the crib is safe: a firm mattress with a fitted sheet and nothing else.
6. Respond Consistently to Night Wakings
How you respond matters. Give them a minute or two to see if they can self-settle before intervening.
- If they need you, keep interactions boring and minimal. Use a calm voice and gentle touch.
- Avoid turning on bright lights or taking them out of the crib if possible.
- The goal is to help them connect sleep cycles without a big intervention from you.
What to Avoid When Trying to Improve Sleep
Sometimes, well-meaning habits can accidentally make sleep worse.
Putting Baby to Bed Already Asleep
This creates that strong sleep association we talked about. They need to practice falling asleep in the crib, not in your arms.
Inconsistency in Your Response
If you sometimes rock them back to sleep and other times let them cry, it’s confusing. They’ll cry longer, hoping for that help. Pick a plan and stick with it for at least a week.
Relying on Motion for Sleep
While a stroller or car ride can help for naps, regular sleep should happen in a stationary crib. Motion sleep is lighter and less restorative.
Introducing Solids Too Close to Bedtime
This can sometimes cause discomfort or gas. Try to have the last solid meal at least an hour before the bedtime routine starts.
Comparing Your Baby to Others
Every baby is unique. Some are naturally better sleepers than others. Focus on your child’s progress, not what another baby is doing.
When to Consider Speaking to Your Doctor
Most sleep issues are behavioral, but it’s important to rule out medical causes.
- If your baby snores loudly, gasps, or seems to struggle to breathe at night.
- If they have persistent eczema, reflux, or other discomfort that seems to wake them.
- If their growth is not on track or they seem excessively fussy.
- If you’ve tried consistent strategies for 2-3 weeks with no improvement at all.
- Trust your instincts—you know your baby best.
FAQs About 7-Month-Old Sleep
Is it normal for a 7 month old not to sleep through the night?
Yes, it is very normal. Many babies still wake once or twice at this age. “Sleeping through” is a developmental milestone that happens at different times for different babies.
How many times should a 7 month old wake at night?
There’s no magic number. Some may sleep an 8-hour stretch, others may wake 1-3 times. The key is whether they can fall back asleep easily or need significant help from you each time.
What is the 7 month sleep regression?
It’s a period of disrupted sleep linked to big developmental leaps. Babies become more aware, active, and socially engaged, which can interfere with their sleep patterns. It’s temporary but can feel intense.
Should I sleep train my 7 month old?
“Sleep training” simply means teaching independent sleep skills. It’s a personal family decision. If the night wakings are unsustainable for you, gentle methods can be very effective at this age. Always choose an approach you feel comfortable with.
Can teething cause night waking?
Absolutely. Teething pain is often worse at night when there are less distractions. You can offer a teething toy before bed and consult your doctor about pain relief if needed.
How long should a 7 month old sleep at night?
Total nighttime sleep is typically around 10-12 hours, but it’s often broken into chunks. Combined with daytime naps, most 7-month-olds need 12-14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period.
Remember, progress with baby sleep is rarely a straight line. There will be good nights and bad nights, even after you see improvement. Be patient with your baby and with yourself. Focus on building consistent habits around sleep, and trust that with time and a clear plan, longer stretches will come. The exhaustion you feel is real, but it is also temporary.