If you're experiencing this unending wake cycle, you're not alone! Frequent night waking can be frustrating, but understanding the reasons behind it can help you find a solution. Let’s explore some common causes and what you can do to help your baby sleep longer stretches.

1. Hunger

Newborns and young babies have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently. However, if your baby is older and still waking every hour for food, they may be using feeding as a sleep association rather than truly needing the calories.

What to do: Ensure your baby is getting full feedings during the day and consider reducing night feeds if they are no longer nutritionally necessary. If you aren't sure if your baby is waking out of hunger or habit, check out this blog.

2. Sleep Associations

Babies often wake up briefly as they transition between sleep cycles. If they rely on external help—like rocking, feeding, pacifiers, or a parent—to fall asleep, they may struggle to transition between cycles on their own.

What to do: Encourage independent sleep skills by putting your baby down awake and using a consistent bedtime routine.

3. Overtiredness

It may seem counterintuitive, but an overtired baby can have more difficulty staying asleep. When babies are overtired, their bodies produce cortisol (a stress hormone) that can lead to more frequent waking.

What to do: Make sure your baby is getting enough daytime sleep and following an age-appropriate nap schedule.

4. Developmental Milestones

Babies go through big developmental leaps that can temporarily disrupt sleep. Learning to roll, crawl, or walk can lead to more night wakings as their brains are busy processing new skills.

What to do: Provide plenty of opportunities for practice during the day and be patient—it’s usually a phase that passes!

5. Discomfort

Teething, gas, reflux, or being too hot or cold can make it difficult for your baby to stay asleep.

What to do: Check for signs of discomfort, adjust sleepwear or room temperature, and offer comfort as needed.

6. Sleep Environment

A noisy or bright sleep space, or an inconsistent bedtime routine, can lead to frequent wakings.

What to do: Ensure a dark, quiet, and cool sleep environment with white noise if needed.

A Client’s Experience

"I was recommended to contact Sarah from a friend after many sleepless nights with my 8-month-old. Up until working with Sarah, my 8-month-old was waking up every 30 minutes, all night long, and did most of his sleeping in my arms. With Sarah's support and expertise, my son started sleeping through the night, in his crib, within the first week. Not only is he a happier, healthier baby because of it, but I feel like I am finally energized again." - Alexa R- mom of 8 month old

If you're feeling the same way, there are steps you can take to help your baby sleep better.

When to Seek Help

If your baby is waking every hour despite addressing these factors, it might be time to work with a sleep consultant. With personalized guidance, you can create a sleep plan that helps everyone get more rest.

If you’re ready to make changes but don’t know where to start, we offer free 20 minute sleep introduction calls to share more about how we can help you.  Reach out to learn more!

Final Thoughts

Frequent night waking is tough, but it won’t last forever. By identifying the root cause and making small adjustments, you can help your baby (and yourself!) get more restful sleep.

Need help troubleshooting your baby’s sleep? We are here to help your family reclaim rest.

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