As a parent, one of the most common assumptions we make is that every time our baby wakes up at night, it must be due to hunger. It’s a natural instinct to offer a feed to a crying baby when they wake at night.
While there are certainly moments when a hungry baby needs to be nourished, there are also many other reasons your little one might be waking up at night. Understanding these alternative reasons is essential for providing the right care and assistance for your baby’s sleep needs.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five potential reasons why your baby may be waking at night, other than hunger.
1. Discomfort
Discomfort is a common cause of nighttime awakenings. Various factors, such as temperature changes, uncomfortable clothing, a wet diaper, or even a diaper that’s too tight, can disrupt a baby’s sleep.
Teething can also be a source of discomfort. What the research shows is that teething discomfort most commonly spikes a couple of days before the tooth emerges and then a day after.
It’s worth noting that overfeeding, especially frequent feeds during the night, can lead to discomfort and gas for little ones. So, it’s crucial to be mindful of feeding patterns and avoid excessive feeding during nighttime wake-ups.
2. Illness
Babies, like adults, can become restless during the night when they’re not feeling well. It’s common for sick babies to experience fragmented sleep. In such cases, attending to their needs, whether it’s clearing a stuffy nose, offering an extra feed, or providing extra comfort, can help make them more comfortable. Remember that disrupted sleep patterns are normal during periods of illness.
3. Developmental Milestones
Babies go through various developmental milestones through the first few years of life.
Physical milestones such as learning to roll over, crawl, or walk are very exciting and energy-consuming milestones! When a baby is developing in one area we can often see another area regress (and commonly this is sleep). We can often see babies start to wake up at night.
Additionally, cognitive milestones such as separation anxiety, which often peaks around 8-10 months, can also disrupt their sleep. Babies may wake up seeking reassurance and comfort from their caregivers.
4. Imbalance of Daytime Sleep
The amount and timing of daytime sleep can significantly impact a baby’s nighttime sleep. If your little one gets too much or too little daytime sleep, it can lead to frequent nighttime awakenings.
Finding the right balance in their daytime sleep routine is essential to set them up for successful overnight sleep. An Ask Me Anything Call is a great option for families looking to optimize their child’s sleep schedule.
5. Not Able to Self-Settle
Babies who rely on external assistance to fall asleep, such as rocking or feeding, are more likely to wake up during the night. This is because they’ve formed a sleep association with these actions and require them to transition between sleep cycles. Babies aged 4 months and older may especially face this challenge. For some babies, it will be essential to support them through developing self-soothing skills to reduce nighttime wake-ups.
If you are constantly feeding your baby at every nighttime awakening and wondering if there might be another reason, let’s figure it out. You do not need to keep guessing or spending hours on google…I can help your family reach your sleep goals while honouring your child’s nutritional needs.
Start with a free sleep evaluation where we can explore your current situation, discuss your sleep goals, and discuss what key areas need to be targetted to find sleep success.
Rosalie Kassen (she/her)
Founder of Plume Sleep Solutions, Registered Nurse and Paediatric Sleep Consultant.
I work with families all over the world to bring healthy sleep habits and rest back into their homes. Stop simply surviving the parenthood journey and start thriving!