Newborns Fighting Sleep: Understanding Daytime Sleep Struggles

There are many reasons why newborns fight sleep during the day. One of the most common reasons is separation anxiety, which can occur when babies sense that any separation is about to happen, such as being put down to sleep in a crib or bed. Overtiredness is another common reason, as a lack of sleep can make it harder for babies to settle at night. Additionally, overstimulation from loud noises, bright lights, or too much physical touch can leave babies feeling overwhelmed and unable to calm down for sleep. Hunger, teething pain, and physical discomfort can also contribute to newborns fighting sleep during the day. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and addressing any underlying issues can help improve sleep patterns.

Separation anxiety

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Babies can show signs of separation anxiety as early as 4–5 months, but it usually becomes more pronounced when they are about 8–10 months old. Some of the signs to look out for include:

• Crying when a caregiver leaves the room or is not nearby
• Clinging to the caregiver, especially in new or unfamiliar situations
• Requiring the caregiver to be present in order to fall asleep
• Waking up at night and crying for their caregiver
• Strong preference for one caregiver over another

How to Manage Separation Anxiety

• Cuddle and comfort your child regularly to foster a secure attachment.
• Practice brief separations by leaving your baby in a safe place and going into another room for a short period. Gradually increase the duration of these separations to help your baby understand that you will always come back.
• Play games like peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek to teach your baby that even when you're out of sight, you still exist and will return.
• Establish a regular routine to provide consistency and reduce the stress of the unknown.
• Introduce new caregivers gradually to give your baby time to get comfortable with them.
• Explain that you are going away for a short while but assure them that you will be back. Provide a specific timeframe if possible, such as "I will be back after your nap."
• Keep goodbyes brief and positive. Consider creating a special goodbye ritual, such as a special handshake or providing a comfort object like a blanket or toy.
• Stick to a bedtime routine, as this can help your baby feel more secure at night.
• Avoid sneaking out of the room after your baby falls asleep, as this can cause distress if they wake up and realise you're gone.
• Stay calm and relaxed when saying goodnight, as babies can sense their caregivers' moods.
• If your baby wakes up during the night, comfort them by rubbing or patting them until they calm down, and then leave the room again.

When to Seek Support

Hunger

Newborns can often be very sleepy eaters, which may prevent full feedings. As your baby grows and becomes more aware of the world around them, you may also notice an increase in distracted eating. Both sleepy eating and distracted eating can result in a hungry baby who fights sleep.

If your baby is sucking on their fist, rooting, or licking their lips, they might be fighting sleep because of hunger. Be sure you know your baby’s hunger cues so you can rule out hunger as a reason for them fighting sleep.

If you’ve fed your baby but the crying continues, you can likely eliminate hunger as a reason for them fighting sleep.

Overtiredness

Signs of Overtiredness

• Ear tugging
• Yawning
• Looking away
• Eye rubbing
• Difficulty consoling

Preventing Overtiredness

To prevent overtiredness, it is important to follow your newborn's sleepy cues and wake windows. Wake windows refer to the amount of time your baby can handle being awake at a stretch and vary by age. For example, a 1-month-old can typically stay awake for about an hour, while a 3-month-old can stay awake for up to two hours.

If you miss your baby's window for sleep, they can become overtired, leading to the issues mentioned above.

What to Do if Your Baby is Overtired

If your baby is overtired, it is okay to provide extra support to help them get the sleep they need. This may include rocking, walking, or singing to them. You can also try giving them a warm bath to relax their muscles and make them feel sleepy.

Additionally, creating a soothing sleep environment can help your overtired newborn settle down. This may include using a sound machine, swaddling, and moving to a dark room.

Overstimulation

If your house is often full of visitors and action, consider whether your baby is fighting sleep due to overstimulation. Try to keep your baby away from loud noises and discomforting places, and keep the number of people around them to a minimum. You can also try swaddling them, moving to a dark room, and turning on a sound machine to help them calm down.

Additionally, it's important to establish day-night behaviours by playing and interacting with your baby during the day and being less active and more sedate before bedtime. This will help your baby understand the difference between day and night and make it easier for them to settle down at night.

Teething

• Swollen, tender gums
• Irritability or fussiness
• Increased biting or chewing on hands, toys, or other objects
• Refusal to eat solids or breastfeed
• Drooling
• Slight increase in temperature (under 100.4°F/38°C)

If your baby is teething, there are several things you can do to help soothe their discomfort and encourage better sleep:

• Offer cold washcloths, teething rings, or pacifiers to chew on, which can help numb the pain and reduce inflammation.
• Try massaging your baby's gums with a clean finger or a damp washcloth to provide pressure and comfort.
• Give your baby plenty of comfort and cuddles to help reduce their distress.
• Administer age-appropriate pain relievers, such as infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over six months old), to manage pain and help your baby sleep.
• Maintain a consistent bedtime routine and sleep schedule, as a strong sleep foundation can help your baby handle teething better.

Remember that teething pain is usually not constant and will subside once the tooth erupts. The first few months of teething are typically the hardest, and it will get easier until the molars come in during toddlerhood.

Frequently asked questions