As a parent, one of the most precious commodities you can have is a good night’s sleep. However, if your baby is waking up too early and in the middle of the night, it can leave you feeling exhausted and frustrated. Rest assured, you’re not alone in this struggle. I (and, I’m going to assume you) and many other parents face the challenge of early wake-ups with their little ones. In this blog post, I will lead you to some of the common reasons why babies wake up too early and in the middle of the night and provide practical tips to help your baby sleep better and, of course, you too!
#1 – Hunger or Feeding Schedule
One of the primary reasons babies wake up is hunger. Infants have small stomachs, and they often need to feed every few hours, even at night. If your baby is waking up hungry, it might be necessary to adjust their feeding schedule during the day. Ensure she/he gets enough feeds during daylight hours, so they don’t need to compensate for it at night.
Tip 1: Try having a schedule where you can be sure that your child is getting the necessary feeding. If you are breastfeeding, you can use my schedule as a reference. But take into consideration that I gave formula to my babies combined with breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding exclusively, but your baby is in fact waking up too many times at night or too early, I think you can give formula a try. This Gerber formula is a good one to start.
Tip 2: Try cluster feeding in the evening to help your baby get a full tummy before bedtime. Talk to your pediatrician about the appropriate feeding schedule for your baby’s age.
#2 – Sleep Associations
I always say that babies are born like a blank page, so you can draw the picture you’d like. And so, babies are creatures of habit, and they tend to develop associations with specific sleep conditions or routines. If your baby falls asleep while being rocked, nursed, or with a pacifier, they might struggle to fall back asleep when they wake up in a different setting. These sleep associations can lead to early wake-ups.
Tip: Gradually transition your baby to fall asleep on their own in their crib. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to signal to your baby that it’s time for sleep.
#3 – Inconsistent Sleep Schedule
Consistency and patience are key when it comes to baby sleep. If your baby’s bedtime and wake-up time vary greatly from day to day, it can confuse their internal sleep clock. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can help regulate their sleep patterns.
Tip: Set a fixed bedtime and wake-up time for your baby, even on weekends. This consistency can help reinforce their circadian rhythm.
#4 – Daytime Naps
Believe it or not, inadequate or excessively long daytime naps can affect nighttime sleep. If your baby is taking very long naps during the day, they might not be as tired at night. Conversely, if they’re not napping enough during the day, they may become overtired and wake up early and in the middle of the night.
Tip: Monitor your baby’s daytime naps and ensure they are getting an appropriate amount of daytime sleep for their age. Adjust the nap schedule if needed.
#5 – Sleep Regression
Sleep regressions are temporary periods when a baby who has been sleeping well suddenly begins waking up more frequently during the night or experiencing early wake-ups. These regressions often coincide with developmental milestones. For example: transitioning from bassinet to crib, starting solids, starting crawling, or walking.
Tip: Be patient during sleep regressions. Maintain your consistent sleep routine and provide comfort to your baby as needed. The regression will usually pass.
#6 – Teething or Illness
To me, teething has been the number one reason why my daughter wakes up constantly. It can be a painful experience for babies, and it can disrupt their sleep. Similarly, illness or discomfort from other sources can lead to constant and early wake-ups.
Tip: Check for signs of teething or illness and provide appropriate care, such as teething toys, fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol, which for me has been amazing, or you can have this natural medicine if you prefer (I have tried it, and it’s very useful).
#7 – Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also play a role in early and night wake-ups. Noise, light, or temperature extremes can disturb your baby’s sleep.
Tip: Create a sleep-conducive environment for your baby. Use blackout curtains to darken the room, a white noise machine to mask any disruptive sounds, and adjust the room temperature to a comfortable level (70F to 73F).
#8 – Developmental Milestones
As babies grow and develop, they often go through various milestones, such as learning to crawl or walk. These newfound skills can be exciting for them, and they may want to practice them even when they should be sleeping.
Tip: Encourage your baby’s developmental milestones during their waking hours and try to tire them out with playtime and activities during the day to reduce restlessness at night.
#9 – Overstimulation
Overstimulation before bedtime can make it difficult for babies to settle down and sleep through the night. If your baby is exposed to bright screens or loud activities close to bedtime, it can interfere with their ability to sleep.
Tip: Establish a calm and soothing bedtime routine. Avoid stimulating activities or screens in the hour leading up to bedtime.
#10 – Separation Anxiety
Around 6 to 8 months of age, many babies start experiencing separation anxiety. They may wake up and cry when they realize you’re not in the room with them. This is still happening with my 1-year-old daughter. And what I do is stay with her in the same room but never take her out of the crib, so she can calmly try to get back to sleep, and it has been working so far.
Tip: Gradually introduce your baby to the idea of being alone in their crib by letting them play in it while you’re nearby during the day. This can help them become more comfortable with their sleep environment.
Understanding why your baby is waking up too early and in the middle of the night is the first step toward helping them sleep better and ensuring you get the rest you need.
It’s important to remember that babies’ sleep patterns can change as they grow and develop, and patience is key.
By addressing the potential reasons for early wake-ups and implementing the tips I just mentioned, you can create a more restful sleep environment for your baby and improve your own sleep quality.
If you continue to have concerns about your baby’s sleep, don’t hesitate to consult with your pediatrician for additional guidance and support. With time and consistency, you and your baby can enjoy more peaceful nights and rejuvenating sleep.
I wish you very good luck, and please leave me your comments on how are you doing!
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Hello, I'm Ana Cristina
This blog is meant to help new moms and dads start a more successful parenting life and answer most of the questions I’m sure you’ll have. You’re not alone. Hi, I’m Ana Cristina, mom of two: Maurizio & Isabella. We live in el calorcito de Miami and I’m sharing my great experience of being a SAHM to help you get through this wonderful (and sometimes chaotic, messy, and tired) journey.