Herbie Murray
Newborns are commonly fussy at night, and this often occurs during the period of 6 pm to 9 pm, known as the witching hour. There are many reasons why your baby may be fussy at night, including hunger, a wet diaper, digestive issues, illness, or discomfort. It's important to understand your baby's unique temperament and cues to determine the cause of their fussiness. Establishing a bedtime routine and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment can help your newborn sleep better.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fussiness | Crying, irritability |
| Reasons | Hunger, wet/soiled diaper, illness, digestive issues, discomfort, overstimulation, over-tiredness, temperature, light, noise, separation anxiety, growth spurts, sleep regression |
| Solutions | Feed and change baby before bed, establish a bedtime routine, reduce stimulation, adjust nipple flow, change formula, adjust diet, massage, wear baby, take a walk, burp baby |
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What You'll Learn
Hunger, discomfort, or a soiled diaper
Hunger
Newborns tend to wake up every few hours for feeding, so it is important to feed them before bedtime. If your baby always seems to wake up hungry, try incorporating a final feeding into your regular bedtime routine. As your baby grows older, they will wake less frequently, and may start sleeping through the night by about 8 or 9 months of age.
Discomfort
Discomfort can be due to various factors, including temperature, digestive issues, or illness. To ensure safe sleep, it is important to maintain a comfortable room temperature and dress your baby in appropriate layers. Keep the crib away from direct sunlight, drafts, and radiators. Regularly check on your baby and adjust their clothing or the room temperature as needed. Additionally, digestive issues such as abdominal pain or gassiness can cause restlessness and fussiness in newborns.
Soiled Diaper
Babies typically do not enjoy the feeling of being wet or soiled, so a soiled diaper can be a common reason for fussiness. Changing your baby's diaper before bedtime and incorporating it into your bedtime routine can help prevent sleep interruptions.
It is important to identify the reasons behind your newborn's fussiness to effectively respond to their needs. By addressing these common issues, you can take proactive steps to soothe and comfort your baby, promoting a more restful sleep for both you and your little one.
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Overtiredness and overstimulation
Newborns have a narrow window in which they will fall asleep easily. If they are too tired, they may fight sleep and become overtired. This can happen if your baby has gone too long without a solid nap. Newborns need a lot of sleep and will spend more time asleep than awake during the first couple of months. They need to get enough sleep during the day to avoid physical exhaustion, which can make it difficult for them to fall asleep at night.
Babies and young children become hyperactive when they are overtired, rather than lethargic like adults. They may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms due to lactose overload, which can be misdiagnosed as medical conditions such as colic, reflux, or lactose intolerance. They may also have trouble feeding, with frequent latching and unlatching.
To avoid overtiredness, it is important to watch for your baby's tired signs and get them to sleep before they become overtired. Newborns don't always show reliable or distinguishable tired signs, so it can be easy to miss. An eat/play/sleep routine can help, where the baby eats, is awake for about 60 minutes, and then goes back to sleep. Most newborns should not be awake for more than 60-90 minutes at a time, and definitely no more than two hours.
Overstimulation can also contribute to fussiness and overtiredness. This can happen when your baby is taking in more experiences and sensations than they can cope with. Bright lights, loud noises, and too many people may be overwhelming for a newborn. To combat overstimulation, decrease stimulation throughout the day and create a calm environment for your baby to sleep in.
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Sleep training and self-soothing
Newborns tend to sleep for 16 to 17 hours a day in 3 to 4-hour increments. However, this sleep is dispersed throughout the day and night, and it is not possible to set a sleep schedule for a newborn baby. Instead, you can help your newborn develop good sleep habits by teaching them the difference between day and night. During the day, keep things lively with stimulating playtime and conversation, and head outside for some daylight. Be sure to protect your baby from too much sun exposure by sticking to shaded areas and keeping their skin covered. If that's not possible, apply a small amount of baby-safe sunscreen to their face, hands, and feet. In the evenings, keep things quieter and dim the lights to signal that it's time to wind down. After a few weeks, your newborn will start to get the hang of it.
Sleep training a newborn is generally not recommended. However, by the time your baby reaches the 3- or 4-month mark, their sleep-wake pattern will start to solidify into a somewhat predictable schedule. At this point, they will be ready for a sleep schedule, as well as a feeding and general daily schedule. Most experts recommend holding off on sleep training until a baby is 4 to 6 months old. By this age, most babies are developmentally ready and old enough to learn how to self-soothe when they're going to sleep and when they wake up overnight.
Self-soothing refers to an infant's ability to settle to sleep at the beginning of the night and to put themselves back to sleep upon awakening during the night. You can help your baby learn this skill by establishing a calming bedtime routine and setting a consistent bedtime. You can also help your baby develop the ability to self-soothe by putting them down before they've dozed off rather than holding them until they fall asleep. This way, if they wake up in the middle of the night, they won't expect to be held in order to fall back to sleep. As your baby gets older, wait a minute or two before going to them or poke your head into the room rather than picking them up.
- Make sure your baby gets enough sleep. Newborns need a lot of sleep and will spend more time asleep than awake for the first couple of months.
- Feed and change your baby before bed. If your baby always wakes up hungry or with a wet diaper soon after falling asleep, try to build a final feeding and diaper change into your regular bedtime routine.
- Keep the room dark and comfortable. Turn the lights down low or off, block out any light coming through the windows, and reduce noise.
- Make sure the temperature is just right. Keep the room between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and dress your baby in clothing meant for sleeping.
- Nurse your baby as much as they want. The sucking motion helps calm your baby down.
- Pay attention to the timing of your baby's witching hour, which is when newborns get fussy at a certain time of day on a regular basis. If they experience increased fussiness after a feeding, it could be due to sensitivity to the formula or something in your breast milk.
- Watch for signs that your baby is sleepy, such as rubbing their eyes, yawning, and fussing. Help prepare them for bedtime by engaging in calm activities like listening to soft music, reading, or singing lullabies.
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Growth spurts and digestive issues
Newborns tend to wake up every few hours for feeding, and it is normal for them to have varied sleep patterns. They will spend more time asleep than awake for the first couple of months.
Growth spurts can be accompanied by sleep challenges, with children waking more frequently due to hunger caused by rapid physical changes. Increased fussiness may also occur during growth spurts, and this can lead to sleep resistance.
A study found that among 23 infants, there were 217 days where both sleep records and length growth measurements were reported. There were 23 length growth saltations, with 12 occurring after increased sleep in the previous 24 hours, and 8 followed by increased sleep within 2 days.
The precise sequence of biological events that determine when and how much children grow remains unknown. However, the well-known association between growth hormone (GH) and sleep has led to the hypothesis that sleep patterns may be associated with saltatory growth spurts.
Digestive issues can also cause newborns to fuss in their sleep. Tummy troubles such as constipation and acid reflux are common in infants and can cause discomfort and disrupt sleep. Mealtime is a trigger for acid reflux, so it is recommended to leave at least 30 minutes between eating and sleep. If digestive issues are causing fussiness, rocking the baby while positioned on their left side can help.
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Illness or sensitivity to formula
Newborns fussing in their sleep is a common occurrence, and it can be due to various factors, including illness or sensitivity to formula. Here are some insights and suggestions to address this issue:
Illness
It is important to monitor your newborn for any signs of illness, as they may be fussing due to discomfort or pain. Common illnesses in newborns include colds, flus, and gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms to look out for include coughing, sneezing, fever, congestion, nasal discharge, and trouble eating or nursing. If you suspect your newborn is ill, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.
Additionally, newborns can experience digestive issues such as gas, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain, which can cause discomfort and fussiness. It is normal for newborns to pass gas frequently as they are still developing their digestive system. However, if your newborn is excessively gassy and struggling to pass gas, it may be causing them discomfort.
Sensitivity to Formula
Another potential cause of fussiness in newborns is sensitivity or intolerance to their formula. If your baby exhibits increased fussiness after feedings, it could indicate an issue with their formula or, in the case of breastfed infants, something in the mother's diet that the baby is not tolerating well. Consult your baby's healthcare provider or a pediatrician if you suspect formula sensitivity. They may recommend trying a different type of formula or adjusting the mother's diet to identify potential triggers.
- Ensure your newborn is fed and changed before bed. Newborns tend to wake up frequently for feedings, so a bedtime meal won't prevent waking.
- Establish a bedtime routine, such as starting with a bath and ending with a book or lullaby.
- Maintain a comfortable temperature for your newborn. Dress them in appropriate sleepwear and ensure the room temperature is cool but comfortable.
- Reduce stimulation by turning down the lights, minimizing noise, and swaddling your baby.
- Try wearing your baby in a body carrier or taking them for a walk, as the motion and closeness to your heartbeat can be calming.
- Use white noise or a low humming sound, such as a fan, to create a soothing environment.
Remember, every newborn is unique, and it may take some time to understand their specific needs. Trust your instincts and don't hesitate to consult a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your newborn's health or well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns fuss in their sleep for a variety of reasons. They could be hungry, have a soiled diaper, or be experiencing digestive issues. They may also be uncomfortable due to gas or general stomach discomfort. Environmental factors such as light, noise, and temperature can also contribute to fussiness in newborns.
There are several ways to soothe a fussy newborn. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, such as a bath followed by a book or lullaby, can help calm your baby. You can also try wearing your baby, taking them for a walk, or reducing stimulation by turning down the lights and swaddling them. Additionally, feeding your baby before bed and ensuring they are comfortable in their crib or bassinet can help prevent fussiness.
It's important to pay attention to your baby's feeding patterns and sleep cues. If your baby recently had a big feed and is still fussing, they might need to burp or may be uncomfortable due to gas. Fussiness after feeding could also indicate a sensitivity to formula or breast milk. Consult with your baby's healthcare provider or pediatrician if you suspect any intolerances or sensitivities.
Yes, it is common for newborns to experience fussiness during a period known as the "Witching Hour," which typically occurs between 6 pm and 9 pm. This fussiness may be related to feeding patterns, as newborns tend to "cluster feed" during this time to stock up for longer stretches of sleep. It's also important to note that newborns may experience sleep regression around 4 months, 6 months, 8 to 10 months, and 12 months.
