Part 1
Ever wonder why your baby suddenly starts waking up multiple times at night?
Especially after they've been sleeping like a champ? When I first thought of writing about this topic, I came up with 4 reasons off the top of my head. But after diving deeper, I realised there are actually 11 reasons why babies wake up so much. No wonder it’s so confusing!
To make it easier for you, I’ve split this blog into two parts. Let’s start exploring these reasons and, more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Is Your Baby Uncomfortable at Night? Here’s What to Check!
One common reason babies wake up at night is physical discomfort. This could be anything from being too hot or too cold or needing a nappy change. Some babies save their biggest poos for the night! Argh!
To help your baby sleep better, it’s recommended that their room (or yours) stays between 18°C and 20°C. A cooler environment really encourages better sleep. Make sure you’ve got the right TOG rating for their sleeping bag for the season. If your baby is swaddled or in a sleeping bag, check that they’re not overheating.
How to do this? Slip your hand under their onesie on their chest. It should feel warm and toasty, but not clammy. If it’s clammy they’ve been sweating, and it’s time to remove a layer. If their chest isn’t warm enough, add a layer. Babies will definitely let you know if they’re cold – they just won’t sleep!
Sleeping bags and swaddles are fantastic for keeping your baby’s temperature just right. In winter, you can even dress them in legless onesies, knowing that a TOG of 3.5 will keep them snug and warm. It’s such a relief at night, knowing your baby can move around the cot while staying covered and warm.
Just a tip: don’t check their body temperature by touching their forehead or the back of their neck. These areas are where heat escapes, so they will feel warmer. Hands and feet are often cooler, as these are the last areas of the body to get blood supply, so they aren’t the best indicators either. I’ve had plenty of parents say, “Their hands are freezing, so I added another layer and put mittens on!” and then the baby was too hot. Remember, focus on the chest for a true reading.
is your baby too hot? or too cold? or a nappy change?
2. Is Your Baby Waking Up from Hunger or Thirst? Let’s Figure It Out!
We all know how hard it is to sleep when your tummy’s growling, right? Babies are no different! They have nutritional needs throughout the day, and if they’re not feeding enough during the day, they’re likely to wake up at night to make up for it. So, the best thing you can do is offer regular feeds every 2-3 hours during the day. And yes, it’s totally normal for babies under one year old to need feeds overnight!
As part of your bedtime routine, give them a nice, calm feed—make it a stress-free moment before they settle down for the night. If you’re breastfeeding, try to offer both sides. If your baby drifts off at the end of the feed, that’s perfectly fine! Just gently transfer them to their bassinet or cot while keeping your hand on them for a bit of comfort until they settle. They might take 5-10 mins to readjust, so be patient—it’s worth it!
Now, if it’s a hot summer night or your baby’s been crying, they might wake up feeling thirsty. That’s why it’s handy to have a non-spill sippy cup with sterile water close to their cot. Just remember, only offer water to babies over 6 months—babies under 6 months get all their hydration from milk. We don’t want them filling up on water instead of getting the nutrition they need!
Once your baby hits 8 months, you can leave that sippy cup in the cot, teaching them to reach for it when they wake up. This way, they can have a drink whenever they need without waking you up!
Do they need a feed?
Maybe your baby is hungry?
3. One big reason for waking overnight might be Developmental Leaps.
These leaps happen lots of times during the first 1000 days of your baby's life. They're periods of intense growth and brain development, making your baby smarter and more skilful.
During a leap, your baby's brain is working around the clock, even when they're tired and trying to sleep. It's like their brain just can't switch off. Every baby experiences these leaps differently. One baby might find the 6-8 week leap tough, while another breezes through it. But knowing your baby is going through a leap can be reassuring. It means they're developing normally, and you don't have to stress.
Research shows that during these leaps, babies often feel insecure and unsure. They need extra reassurance from you. This can make them clingy, more prone to crying, and waking up more at night. I've seen babies wake every 45 minutes for weeks during a leap—imagine how exhausted those parents were!
What Can I Do?
The key is to give your baby lots of connection and reassurance. The more connection they feel, the quicker they’ll get through the leap and the more confident and relaxed they’ll be. Sometimes, you’ll hear your baby chatting or singing to themselves at 3am, or practicing standing up. They’re learning new skills, and they don’t always need your help to go back to sleep. If they do, they’ll let you know. So, if you hear them and they’re happy, just roll over and try to get some sleep yourself. Hahaha.
Stick to Your Routine: Keep bedtime routines consistent during a leap is important. Babies love routine, and now’s not the time to change things up. A familiar routine helps your baby know what to expect and feel secure.
Take Your Time: Slow down each step of the bedtime routine. Since their brains are working overtime, they need more time to wind down. Instead of spending 2 minutes on each step, take 5 minutes. Once they’re in the cot, sit with them, hold their hand, stroke their face, or give a gentle tummy massage. Wait until they start to relax.
Remember, these developmental leaps are a normal part of growing up. With a bit of patience and lots of love, you’ll both get through them! Developmental leaps are just a phase - You've got this!
Is it a developmental leap and a progression of skills?
4. Why Age of your baby Affects Night Wakings
Age is a big factor! There is something different going on at every age. Here's the scoop.
Newborns Have No Concept of Day and Night
Newborns are on their own schedule. Often newborns will have their days and nights mixed up, so they’ll be sleeping all day and awake all night, which is brutal! They are often just following how they slept in utero, remember your baby starting to kick and move just as you laid down to try and sleep? After a couple of weeks your baby will begin to sleep whenever they're tired, usually after a feed, which can be every two hours. This is perfectly normal!
Then the Circadian Rhythm Kicks In
Around the 3-month mark, your baby’s circadian rhythm starts to mature. They become more aware of their surroundings and can get FOMO (fear of missing out). This means they might wake up more often and need some reassurance to go back to sleep. And from this age your baby will start to cat nap. This is normal. Just because your baby is cat napping, it doesn’t mean they’re having inferior sleep. I talk about this in another Blog.
Sticking to your bedtime routine and being consistent is what will help your baby fall asleep, as this is what they know. Always be available to reassure them, validate their feelings and give them space to tell you how they’re feeling. Keeping a calm, relaxed environment will also help your baby to feel secure.
5. Does Your Baby Just Need a Little Extra Love?
Sometimes, your baby wakes up because they just need some extra loving and connection with you. You are their world, and their ideal environment is right there from your shoulders to your hips. This is where they feel safest and most secure.
Spending time with your baby doing skin-to-skin contact, is incredibly beneficial, even up to 4 months old. If you have some time during the day, or your day is turning out to be particularly hard, then pop your baby on your naked chest with just their nappy on. It’s like connecting jigsaw pieces in that moment- you and your baby fit perfectly together and there isn’t a more perfect place for your baby to be.
When you're holding your baby close, it sets off a chain reaction of positive hormones. For mum, it boosts milk supply. For baby, it creates feelings of security. It's a win-win!
So, if your baby wakes up needing some extra cuddles, remember it's just their way of connecting with you. You're doing an amazing job providing the love and comfort they need.
