10 Reasons Why Your Baby Wakes Up At Night

It's possible that your baby may wake up due to genuine hunger if they are small or under 9 months old. Between 4 to 9 months of age, 1-2 feeds a night is normal. Newborns have teeny tummies and need feeding three hourly to ensure proper nourishment, which is normal in the initial weeks. It's advisable to feed and then quickly settle your baby so that you both can get some rest in between the feeds. Ensuring your baby gets enough calories during the day can help reduce night time hunger, and implementing a soothing bedtime routine can aid in settling them back to sleep after feeds.

Deeply set in sleep associations form between 12 to 16 weeks, and if your baby's sleep association requires your physical intervention, they might wake up at the end of each partial or full sleep cycle, which usually occurs every 2-4 hours, expecting you to repeat the same actions you did previously, to get them back to sleep. Gradually transitioning away from these sleep associations and introducing new ones that you do not need to physically provide can teach your baby to self-soothe, promoting independent sleep and reduce night time awakenings.

It's important to ensure that your little one doesn't feel too hot or cold. Maintaining a comfortable room temperature between 18-21 degrees Celsius (65-70 degrees Fahrenheit) is ideal for promoting restful sleep. One way to do this is to check their sleeping bag TOG rating. Aim to dress your bub for the coldest part of the night which falls around the 3am mark.

Remember to measure the temperature at the same level as your baby's mattress to get the most accurate reading. Keep the cot away from external walls and any windows if possible to eliminate draughts. Maintaining a comfortable sleep environment promotes restful sleep and reduces the likelihood of night time awakenings due to discomfort.

Sleep regressions are the rollercoaster for all parents across the first 2 years of their little one's life and are usually a big factor when it comes to sleep at the following age and are related to your child's development. These regressions typically occur around specific ages and milestones:

4-month Sleep Regression: Happens around 3-4 months of age, coinciding with changes in sleep cycles and increased awareness of surroundings.

8-10 month Sleep Regression: Occurs when babies start to crawl, pull themselves up, or even take their first steps, leading to disrupted sleep patterns.

12-month Sleep Regression: Happens as babies approach their first birthday, often coinciding with separation anxiety and newfound independence.

18-month Sleep Regression: Occurs as toddlers experience cognitive and language development spurts, leading to nighttime disruptions.

2-year Sleep Regression: Happens around the age of 2 when toddlers may struggle with transitions or potty training, affecting their sleep.

Establishing consistent bedtime routines, providing extra comfort, and maintaining a soothing sleep environment can help your little one to navigate regressions with minimal disruption to their sleep patterns. By understanding the timing and triggers of sleep regressions, you can better support your baby's sleep needs during these challenging periods.

As a mother, I know first hand that teething can disturb your baby's sleep, depending on their age and sleep habits. If your baby is generally calm during the day but wakes up screaming at night, it may not be due to teething.

Teething pain is usually intermittent, and offering pain relief measures such as appropriate pain relief, chilled teething rings or gentle gum massages can help alleviate discomfort and promote better sleep for teething babies. Providing comforting cuddles and reassurance during wake-ups can also soothe your baby back to sleep.

If your baby isn't napping well during the day, they may be exhausted at bedtime, becoming overtired which can make it difficult for them to fall into a deep sleep or stay asleep. Over-tiredness leads to the release of stress hormones, making it much harder for babies to sleep.

Establishing consistent nap routines, creating a conducive sleep environment, and ensuring adequate daytime rest can improve your baby's night time sleep quality more than you realise.

Addressing any underlying issues affecting daytime naps can lead to more restful nights for both you and your baby. By helping your baby nap better during the day, you can prevent them from becoming overtired and promote a smoother bedtime routine, ultimately leading to a more restful night's sleep for everyone involved. Hello longer stretches of sleep!

Gradually reducing your little one's daytime naps to an appropriate length based on their age can prevent under-tiredness, which can lead to night time wake-ups and difficulties falling asleep. Monitoring your baby's sleep cues and adjusting nap times accordingly can help regulate their sleep patterns and promote more restful nights for both you and your baby. If you are unsure of what routine to have your little one on, grab my All Ages Sleep Routine Guide and take the guesswork right out of it.

When your baby is suffering from reflux, it can be very difficult for them to sleep. Consulting with healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and management of reflux symptoms, and doing smaller, more frequent feedings, with the possible help of appropriate prescribed medication can help alleviate reflux-related sleep disturbances. Creating a calm and soothing sleep environment can also aid in promoting better sleep for both you and your baby.

If your baby is suffering from a cold or a gastro bug, they might wake up more frequently at night. Of course, this expected and it really is a matter or providing comfort and riding it out as best you can as they recover. However, once your baby has recovered, gently encouraging them to resume their normal sleeping pattern is important. It is hard to see your little one unwell. Whilst it is a good idea to try to keep to your daytime routine, naturally your little one will be tired and need more sleep. This is okay.

Spending time with your baby in their room while they are unwell and providing comfort and reassurance can help them feel secure and supported during illness-related sleep disruptions.

Some babies are much more sensitive to having a wet or leaking nappy than others. Using a good brand nappy and checking for proper fit and absorbency can minimise discomfort and night disruptions caused by wetness or leaks. It may be a case of trial and error to find the right one.

Make sure your baby's pyjamas are not too tight, as this can also prevent urine leaking out of a nappy and promote uninterrupted sleep. Additionally, it's a great idea to use a waterproof mattress protector and have extra cot sheet sets or linen on hand for quick changes in the middle of the night to reduce any fuss and disturbance to both you and your baby.