Ashwin Lewis
It can be frustrating when your newborn is fighting sleep. While this is a common experience, it can be draining for everyone involved. There are several reasons why your newborn might be fighting sleep, such as overstimulation, teething, illness, or separation anxiety. Your newborn might also be fighting sleep because they are overtired or not tired enough. Keeping track of the signs that your baby is ready to sleep, such as yawning, stretching, or shutting their eyes, can help you understand their sleep patterns and identify any issues.
Characteristics and Values of a newborn fighting sleep
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overtiredness | A newborn can get overtired quickly, leading to a lack of sleep and crankiness. |
| Overstimulation | The excitement and busyness of the world outside the womb can overstimulate newborns, making it hard to fall asleep. |
| Hunger | Sleepy or distracted eating can result in a hungry baby who fights sleep. |
| Illness | Sleep may be harder for a sick newborn, and illness can impact their general well-being and recovery. |
| Separation anxiety | Newborns may fight sleep due to separation anxiety, especially when sleeping away from their caregivers. |
| Discomfort | Discomfort from teething, itchy or uncomfortable clothing, or a stimulating environment can disrupt sleep. |
| Under-tiredness | A newborn who is not tired enough during the day may not be ready for bedtime and may fight sleep. |
| Sleep cues | Reading sleep cues, such as yawning or blinking, can help identify when a newborn is ready for sleep. |
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What You'll Learn
Day-night confusion
To help your newborn adjust and reduce day-night confusion, maintain normal rhythms for daytime and nighttime. Expose them to natural light and fun activities during the day, and darkness and quiet in the evening. This will help them develop a circadian rhythm and trigger sleepiness at night.
Additionally, pay attention to their sleep cues and wake windows. Sleep cues vary between babies but can include yawning, blinking, eye-rubbing, fussing, or losing interest in play. Putting your baby to bed soon after noticing these cues can help prevent overtiredness, which can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
Wake windows refer to the amount of time your newborn can stay awake before becoming tired, and they change with age. For example, a six-month-old may have a wake window of 3 to 3.5 hours. Planning naps and bedtimes according to these wake windows can help your newborn get the sleep they need.
Remember, every baby is unique, and no two sleep schedules will be exactly the same. It takes time for newborns to adjust to the world, and part of that is getting their internal clock in tune with daytime and nighttime.
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Overstimulation
You may notice that your newborn is overstimulated if they are unusually alert, staring intently at objects or people, or turning their heads towards lights, people, or other stimuli. They may also become less responsive, difficult to calm, and experience increased separation anxiety. An overstimulated baby's brain releases cortisol (the stress hormone), which can make it challenging for them to fall and stay asleep.
To prevent overstimulation, try to avoid stimulating activities at least an hour before your newborn's bedtime. You can also establish a consistent bedtime routine to help your baby understand when it's time to sleep. This can include activities such as a warm bath, a gentle lullaby, or reading a short story. Over time, these activities will become cues that signal relaxation and sleep readiness for your baby.
If your newborn does reach a state of overstimulation, there are several things you can do to help them calm down:
- Lower the lighting and reduce noise levels.
- Change your baby's body temperature with a warm cloth or a step outside in the fresh air.
- Get down to your baby's level and offer skin-to-skin contact, allowing them to listen to the sound of your calm, slow, deep breaths.
- Speak in soothing tones and offer physical connection through hugs and cuddles.
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Hunger
To ensure your newborn is getting enough to eat, it is important to feed them on demand and watch for signs of hunger. Newborns typically feed every 2-3 hours within a 24-hour period. As your newborn grows, the time between feedings will gradually increase.
If your newborn is hungry and struggling to fall asleep, try feeding them again, even if it seems like they just recently ate. It is also important to pay attention to their feeding environment and remove any distractions or overwhelming stimuli. For example, keep the lights dimmed, close the curtains, and avoid screens, loud noises, or exciting play before bedtime.
If you are unsure whether your newborn is getting enough to eat or you are concerned about their feeding habits, it is always best to consult your paediatrician or a healthcare professional for specialised advice.
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Over-tiredness
Newborns can get overtired quickly, especially if they stay awake for longer than their little bodies can tolerate or if they are overstimulated. They may also experience day-night confusion, where they are very sleepy during the day and then struggle to fall asleep at bedtime.
Signs that your newborn is overtired and fighting sleep include yawning, blinking more, ear pulling, eye rubbing, thumb sucking, and fussing. They may also be disengaging, showing signs of tiredness while keeping their eyes open.
If your newborn is overtired, it's important to provide extra support to help them get the sleep they need. You can try swaddling them, moving to a dark room, and using a sound or white noise machine. A warm bath can also be calming and relaxing for an overtired newborn.
To prevent over-tiredness, follow your newborn's sleepy cues and wake windows. Keep an eye out for early signs of sleepiness and put them to bed sooner rather than later. Maintaining a consistent sleep routine can also help your newborn get the rest they need.
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Illness
If your newborn is unwell, you should first try to ensure their comfort and create a soothing environment to encourage sleep. This could include a warm bath, a gentle lullaby, or reading a short story. Reducing stimulation may also help your newborn settle, such as dimming the lights, reducing noise, and limiting distractions.
If your baby's illness is impacting their sleep and general well-being, you should contact your pediatrician for specialist advice. Illnesses usually go away with care and attention, but sleep is a vital part of getting better, and a baby fighting sleep may take longer to recover.
It is important to understand the underlying reasons for your baby's sleep resistance, as this will help you find the right solution. For example, your baby may be fighting sleep due to overstimulation, hunger, or separation anxiety. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help your newborn understand when it is time to sleep and establish a positive sleep environment.
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Frequently asked questions
If your newborn is fighting sleep, they may be exhibiting behaviours such as crying, being noisy and restless, or waking up within minutes of being put down.
There are several reasons why your newborn might be fighting sleep. They may be:
- Overtired
- Overstimulated
- Hungry
- Unwell
- Teething
- Experiencing separation anxiety
- Discomfort due to temperature
Here are some general tips to help your newborn sleep:
- Establish a soothing bedtime routine with stories, lullabies, and gentle music.
- Create a peaceful atmosphere with dimmed lights, closed curtains, and no screens.
- Keep the room temperature comfortable, ensuring your baby is neither too hot nor too cold.
- Use white noise or a sound machine to help your baby sleep.
- Swaddle your baby, as this can be soothing and mimic the feeling of being in the womb.
- Keep track of signs that your baby is ready for sleep, such as yawning, stretching, or eye-rubbing.
Here are some specific techniques that have helped other parents:
- Bouncing on a yoga ball while holding your baby.
- Rocking your baby to sleep and then transferring them to their crib once they are in a deep sleep.
- Ensuring your baby gets enough active awake time during the day so they are tired enough to sleep at night.
- Adjusting your baby's position while holding them to avoid startling them when you put them down.
- Using a weighted sleep sack to help your baby sleep longer.
