As a parent, you’ve probably heard the advice, “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” but when your baby wakes up frequently during the night, those words can feel like wishful thinking. Many parents wonder when they’ll start to see longer stretches of sleep or even a full night’s rest, and they often ask, “How will I know when my baby is ready to sleep through the night?” and “When can I sleep train?”

The answer isn’t always straightforward, as each baby is unique and will reach this milestone in their own time. However, there are developmental cues that can indicate when your little one is ready to start sleeping longer at night, and knowing these can help ease the journey toward better sleep. In this FAQ guide, I’ll walk you through common questions about when babies can start sleeping through the night, signs that they’re ready, and gentle approaches to beginning sleep training when the time is right.