As a parent of a newborn, it’s completely natural to expect sleepless nights. After all, babies have small tummies and need frequent feedings, and their circadian rhythms aren’t fully developed. However, it can still be exhausting when your baby seems to struggle with sleep, especially at night. As a pediatric sleep consultant, I’ve worked with countless parents navigating this stage, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel when your baby isn’t sleeping as expected.
In this blog post, I’ll explore some of the most common reasons why newborns may not be sleeping through the night and offer tips to help guide you through this challenging time.
1. Irregular Sleep-Wake Cycles
Newborns are born with an underdeveloped circadian rhythm—the internal body clock that helps regulate sleep-wake patterns. Unlike adults, babies don’t have a clear distinction between day and night for the first few weeks, so they tend to sleep in shorter, irregular stretches throughout the day and night. This can lead to your baby being awake during the night, even if you’re trying to encourage sleep.
What you can do: Gradually begin to introduce a day-night routine by making daytime feedings and activities more stimulating, and nighttime feedings more calm and soothing. Exposing your baby to sunlight during the day through a window or going outside may also help to kickstart circadian rhythm development. This helps your baby start to differentiate between day and night.
2. Hunger and Growth Spurts
Newborns have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently, often every 2-3 hours. As they grow, they go through frequent growth spurts, which can increase their hunger and cause them to wake up more often, especially at night. If your baby is not sleeping through the night, it’s likely that they are waking up because they are hungry.
What you can do: Make sure your baby is getting enough to eat during the day so that they can sleep longer at night. You may also need to offer extra feedings during growth spurts. If you’re breastfeeding, consider offering both breasts during each feeding to ensure they’re getting enough milk.
3. Discomfort or Digestive Issues
Babies can sometimes wake up at night because they’re uncomfortable. Diaper rashes, wet diapers, or even digestive issues like gas or reflux can make it difficult for your baby to stay asleep. Newborns can’t always communicate their discomfort clearly, so they may cry as a result.
What you can do: Pay attention to your baby’s physical comfort. Make sure they’re not too hot or too cold, their diaper is clean and dry, and they’re not experiencing any discomfort from their feeding or digestive system. Gently massaging their tummy or using gas-relief techniques can also help with digestive discomfort.
4. Need for Comfort and Security
Newborns are used to the cozy environment of the womb, where they felt secure and protected. When they’re born, they’re adjusting to a whole new world with different sounds, lights, and sensations. They may wake up at night because they crave the comfort of being close to you, or they may be looking for reassurance when they wake up in the dark.
What you can do: Practice responsive parenting by offering your baby comfort when they cry, but also try establishing a soothing bedtime routine. Swaddling or using a gentle white noise machine can provide your baby with the security they need to fall asleep more soundly. Gradually, you can start transitioning them to more independent sleep methods as they get older.
5. Overstimulation or Overtiredness
Babies are still learning how to self-regulate their emotions and physical states. Overstimulation—whether from too much play, too many visitors, or an environment that’s too noisy or bright—can cause your baby to become overstimulated and have a harder time settling down for sleep. Similarly, overtiredness can make it difficult for your baby to relax enough to fall asleep.
What you can do: Be mindful of your baby’s cues and try to create a calming environment before bedtime. Limit stimulation in the hour or so leading up to sleep, and ensure your baby is getting enough daytime naps. Over-tired babies often find it harder to fall asleep at night, so aim for an age-appropriate sleep schedule. I have example sleep schedules posted on my instagram that is also linked on my website.
6. Nighttime Sleep Associations
Sometimes, babies develop habits that become sleep associations—things they rely on to fall asleep. This can include being rocked, fed, or held until they drift off to sleep. While these methods can be comforting in the short term, they can make it harder for your baby to fall back to sleep independently during the night when they naturally wake up between sleep cycles.
What you can do: Start helping your baby build more positive sleep associations, such as a consistent bedtime routine, a favorite swaddle, white noise, or a song or book you read or sing before bed. Over time, this will allow your baby to fall asleep more independently, which can lead to better sleep at night. Gotta play the long game!
7. Developmental Milestones
During the first few months, babies go through a variety of developmental milestones—rolling over, learning to grasp, or even starting to recognize faces. These milestones can cause a disruption in sleep, as your baby’s brain is active and processing new skills. While this is a normal part of their growth, it may lead to changes in their sleep patterns.
What you can do: Be patient and understanding. These disruptions are often temporary, and your baby will eventually adjust. In the meantime, try to maintain a consistent sleep routine and give your baby plenty of opportunities to practice new skills during the day, so they don’t become overstimulated at night.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to remember that newborn sleep issues are completely normal, and most of them are temporary. As your baby grows and develops, their sleep patterns will gradually stabilize, and nighttime sleep will become more predictable. However, it’s also essential to create a calming sleep environment and establish healthy sleep habits from the start.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or concerned about your baby’s sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatric sleep consultant. Together, we can work through your baby’s sleep challenges, helping you both get the rest you deserve.
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I’m here to support you during this challenging time. Whether you need help establishing a bedtime routine or simply need reassurance that you’re doing the best for your baby, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to me today to learn more about how I can help you and your little one get the restful nights you need!
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