Does your baby keep waking up at night? Are you wondering if you’ll ever get a full night’s sleep again?
Waking up a few times is completely normal when you have a baby. But if it feels like it’s happening over and over, night after night, it can start to wear on you.
Sleep is so important — not just for your baby’s growth and development, but for your own mood, patience, and overall wellbeing.
The good news? There’s usually a reason behind those wake-ups. Once you figure out what’s going on, you can start making small changes that may help everyone sleep a little longer.
How To Stop A Baby Waking Up At Night Out Of Habit
First we need to find what the culprit is. Let’s look at a couple of common reasons why babies wake up at night.
Lack of a Routine
Do you not have a night routine for your baby? Consistency is key when trying to get your baby to sleep at night.
When trying to create a bedtime routine for your baby, observe when your baby is naturally sleepy and work with their internal clock.
If your baby gets tired around 8 P.M., make the night time routine around 7:30 with a warm bath, lullaby and a feeding.
Even if you think your baby is too young for a bedtime routine, creating the habit can help avoid headaches later on.
Your Baby Could Be Teething
Teething tends to be the most common reason babies wake up in the middle of the night.
It’s sometimes hard to figure out because you can’t actually see the teeth.
A couple of signs of teething can be less appetite, red cheeks, and even a runny nose. If you suspect teething can be the culprit, consider purchasing a teething necklace or asking your pediatrician about baby
Separation Anxiety
“My baby cries at night when I leave the room”
Babies have yet to grasp what object permanence is, meaning they don’t understand that something (or someone) continues to exist even if they can’t see it.
For that reason, a baby might wake up and start crying because they’re scared they can’t see you. They don’t understand you’re in the room next door and that causes them to go into a mini-panic.
One of the best things you can do is set your baby down when they are sleepy and not yet asleep. If they see you leave, versus falling asleep in your arms and then waking alone, they might be less inclined to start crying and actually go back to sleep on their own.
Your Baby Is Sick
There could be medical reasons a baby won’t sleep, especially if your baby keeps waking up after 30 minutes
Check your babies temperature for a fever. Unfortunately, ear and forehead thermometers aren’t the most accurate for a baby, so take the temperature rectally.
It could also be an ear infection. If your baby seems to be pulling at or putting their fingers inside their ears a lot, it could be signs of discomfort. Also, if your baby doesn’t want to nurse on one side, it can be a sign of an infection. Take your baby to a pediatrician to be completely sure and pick up a prescription.
Check the Room Temperature
Remember, your baby is not able to put on or take
Check to see if your baby is sweating or feel sticky. Or perhaps their nose and hands are cold.
Set a comfortable temperature, if your baby still appears to get warm/cold then get a light blanket or a thicker swaddle
Overtiredness
It sounds backwards, but sometimes your baby wakes up at night because they are too tired.
When babies stay awake past their natural sleep window, their bodies release stress hormones that actually make it harder for them to fall — and stay — asleep.
If your baby is fighting naps during the day or has very short naps, they might be going to bed overtired.
Try putting your baby down a little earlier than usual for a few nights and see if it helps. Earlier bedtimes can sometimes mean longer stretches of sleep.
Pay attention to sleepy cues like rubbing eyes, zoning out, or fussiness. Catching that “sweet spot” before they become overtired can make a big difference
Sleep Associations
Does your baby always fall asleep while nursing, rocking, or being held?
There is nothing wrong with comforting your baby — but sometimes babies wake up and expect the same conditions they had when they fell asleep.
For example, if your baby falls asleep in your arms and then wakes up alone in their crib, it can feel confusing to them.
Babies cycle through lighter sleep multiple times a night. If they don’t know how to settle themselves back down, they may cry for help.
Try laying your baby down when they are drowsy but still awake. This can help them learn to fall asleep in their crib and go back to sleep on their own when they wake up.
Growth Spurts or Hunger
Babies go through growth spurts more often than we realize.
During these times, they may wake up more frequently because they are genuinely hungry.
If your baby seems extra fussy, wants to nurse or take a bottle more often, or is going through a developmental leap, it could just be temporary.
The good news is growth spurts usually only last a few days.
If your baby feeds and quickly goes back to sleep, hunger might simply be the reason. Sometimes they really do just need a little extra milk and comfort.
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