Gina Johnson
It's completely normal for parents to feel exhausted in the first weeks or months after having a baby. Newborns need a lot of sleep, but some babies prefer to sleep during the day and are wide awake at night. There are many reasons why your baby may not be sleeping, including hunger, illness, teething, developmental milestones, or changes in routine. Newborns and babies aged 0 to 6 months have not yet learned to settle by themselves, so it's common for them to be unsettled and need help getting back to sleep.
Why isn't my newborn sleeping?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hunger | Breast milk is digested quickly, so newborns may wake up hungry. |
| Thirst | Newborns may wake up thirsty. |
| Illness | Illness can cause sleep issues. |
| Teething | Teething discomfort can wake newborns. |
| Developmental milestones | Developmental milestones can cause sleep issues. |
| Changes in routine | Changes in routine can cause sleep issues. |
| Not understanding the time of day | Newborns may not understand the difference between night and day. |
| Sleep position | Newborns may fuss or not settle when laid on their back to sleep, even though this is the recommended sleep position to reduce the risk of SIDS. |
| Sleep environment | Newborns may only sleep in their parent's arms or cry when put down. |
| Sleep habits | Older babies may have trouble breaking sleep habits such as being fed or rocked to sleep. |
| Overstimulation | Newborns may struggle to fall asleep if they are overtired. |
| Sleep cycles | Newborns may wake frequently overnight between sleep cycles. |
| Settling | Newborns have not yet learned to settle by themselves and may need help to go back to sleep. |
| Temperature | Being too hot or too cold can disturb a newborn's sleep. |
| Growth spurts | Growth spurts can affect a newborn's sleep. |
| Exhaustion | Parents may feel exhausted and overwhelmed due to lack of sleep. |
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What You'll Learn
Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day
Hunger is a common reason why newborns wake up during the night. They don't eat much in one go, and if they are consuming breast milk, they will digest it quickly. This means they can wake up hungry just a few hours after feeding. Thirst is another reason for newborns to wake up, and a drink of breast milk or formula may help them get back to sleep.
Illness or allergies could also be the reason your newborn is not sleeping. If you suspect this might be the case, push your doctor to take your concerns seriously. Pain or illness could be preventing your baby from sleeping, and natural remedies may help, such as massaging your baby to relieve gas.
Not understanding the time of day is another common reason for newborns not sleeping. They may start sleeping on a day/night reversal schedule, where they sleep well during the day but are wide awake at night. To help them understand that the day is for play and the night is for rest, keep them awake a little longer during each waking period during the day. This will help increase their need for sleep later.
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Needing to be fed or changed
Newborns need to be fed or changed quite often, which can interrupt their sleep. Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, they wake up every couple of hours to be fed. Breastfed babies feed about every 2–3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed every 3–4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.
Newborns eat very little in a single feeding, so they may wake up hungry and ready to eat again soon after being fed. Hunger is a common reason for babies to wake up during the night. Thirst may also be a factor. Even if you have fed your baby recently, offer them breast milk or formula to see if that's what they need.
To help your baby sleep through the night, you can wean them off nighttime feeds. However, this should be done in consultation with a pediatrician. It is also important to establish routines and a consistent bedtime ritual to improve your baby's sleep patterns.
It can be helpful to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and avoid playing with or talking to your baby. This will help them understand that nighttime is for sleeping.
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They're uncomfortable, e.g. too hot or cold, or they have a wet diaper
Newborns generally sleep for around 14 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, but this sleep tends to be fragmented, with newborns waking up frequently for feeds and changes. Newborns might be uncomfortable because they are too hot or cold, or they have a wet diaper, which can cause them to wake up.
Being too hot or cold can disturb a newborn's sleep. As a newborn grows, they will need fewer night feeds and may be able to sleep for longer. However, teething, hunger, illness, or developmental milestones can also cause sleep disturbances.
To help your newborn sleep, you can try swaddling them or putting them in a small crib to help them feel secure. You can also try to establish a bedtime routine, which can help cue your baby's brain that sleep is coming and prevent them from becoming overstimulated.
Additionally, it is important to learn your baby's sleep cues and patterns, as every baby is different. For example, a newborn might start showing signs of tiredness after 30 minutes of being awake, while a 3- to 6-month-old baby might be tired after 1.5 to 3 hours of being awake.
Remember, it is normal for parents to feel exhausted in the first weeks or months after having a baby, but this stage will pass.
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They're overtired or not tired enough
Newborns generally sleep for around 14 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, waking up frequently for feeds and nappy changes. However, some newborns may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep due to being overtired or not tired enough.
Newborns aged 0 to 3 months have not yet learned to self-settle and often need help to settle and go back to sleep. They may exhibit signs of tiredness, such as fussiness or difficulty settling, after 30 minutes of being awake. Recognizing these signs and responding to them promptly can help encourage your baby to sleep at the right time. If your newborn is overtired, they may struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, so finding their "sweet spot" for sleep is crucial. This involves ensuring that their daytime wake windows are age-appropriate and being mindful of their sleep cues.
Establishing a bedtime routine can be an effective way to signal to your baby that sleep is approaching. A consistent and calming routine can help prevent your baby from becoming overstimulated and make it easier for them to fall asleep. For example, you can incorporate swaddling, a warm bath, or gentle music into your bedtime routine to create a soothing environment.
Additionally, it's important to remember that newborns need time to adjust to a regular sleeping pattern. They may prefer to sleep during the day and stay awake at night, which can be frustrating for parents. To address this, you can gradually increase their wakefulness during the day, making them more tired by nightfall. This can help reinforce the association between daytime and playtime and nighttime and rest.
Practicing putting your baby down in their crib or bassinet while they are awake can also promote independent sleep. Even a few minutes of practice each day can make a significant difference. Remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may vary. Don't be too hard on yourself or your baby during this adjustment period, and seek support from your partner, family, or friends to share the responsibilities and allow yourself time to rest.
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They're adjusting to life outside the womb
Newborns aged 0 to 3 months have not yet learned to settle by themselves. With your help, they will learn to self-settle. It is common for newborns to be unsettled. They wake up often overnight between sleep cycles and when they need to be fed or changed. They usually need your help to settle and go back to sleep. This is called responsive settling. Each baby is different, and their ability to settle comes down to their individual temperament.
Your newborn's sleeping pattern is unlikely to fit in with your need for sleep. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. If you're breastfeeding, your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until you think your baby has finished or until they're fully asleep. This is a good opportunity to try to get some rest yourself.
Newborns are active sleepers. They move and make noises when they're sleeping. Sometimes, we jump in thinking they're awake when they're actually sleeping. Find their sweet spot for sleep by being mindful of sleepy cues. A baby who isn't quite ready for sleep or is overtired often struggles to fall asleep and stay asleep. Finding their sweet spot can help make sleeping in a bassinet or crib easier.
Establish a bedtime routine to cue your baby's brain that sleep is coming. Even before your baby begins to recognize the routine, the calming effects can be helpful in keeping your baby from becoming overstimulated. Routines and environments play a big part in helping babies get to sleep. Babies need a cue to tell them it is time to go to sleep. This is usually something in their external environment, such as swaddling or wrapping, a bath, massage, or a room with dim lighting.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns wake up frequently to be fed or changed and need help settling and going back to sleep. They also need a cue to tell them it is time to sleep, such as swaddling or a dark room. Hunger, illness, and not understanding the time of day are also common reasons for newborns not sleeping.
Establish a bedtime routine to cue your newborn that sleep is coming. Gently pat or stroke your baby in their cot and use white noise or settling music. Keep them awake a little longer during the day to increase their need for sleep at night.
It is very common for newborns to fall asleep while being held and then wake up when put down in their cot. They just want to be near you. Holding your baby until they fall asleep may be difficult to maintain in the long term, so it can be helpful to practice laying them down awake for bedtime.
Find their sweet spot for sleep by being mindful of sleepy cues and their daytime wake windows. Make sure your baby is truly awake before intervening, as newborns are active sleepers and sometimes move and make noises when sleeping.
