When a baby wakes up at night, it can be frustrating for parents. There can be many reasons why a baby may wake up, and it's not always easy to find the cause of the problem.
Is it hunger?
A faintness ?
Something else ?
Here are the top 15 reasons why babies may wake up at night:
Hunger
All over the world, it is common for babies to wake up at night. There are many reasons why a baby may wake up, but one of the most common is hunger. Babies need to eat frequently to grow and develop properly, and that includes night feedings.
It's usually recommended that parents try nighttime weaning around 9 months of age, but some babies may still need nighttime feedings up to 12 months. Nighttime awakenings can be frustrating for parents, but it's important to remember that it's perfectly normal for a baby to need a feed or two during the night.
There are signs that your baby is ready to be weaned. Want to know what these signs are? Read this article by clicking here.
Wet/leaky/dirty diaper
There are several reasons why a baby may wake up in the night, but one of the most common is wet or dirty diapers . Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent leaks from disturbing your baby's sleep.
If you are tired of waking up at night due to baby diaper leaking. Here are 7 tips that will help you banish overflowing diapers at night and keep baby calm while sleeping without the problem of leaks. Click here
Also discover our PyjaMagic™ bedwetting pajamas
Sleep Associations
Another common reason is that the baby needs something, like cradling or feeding, to go back to sleep. This is called a sleep association, and your baby will need it until he can fall asleep on his own. Creating healthy associations with sleep is important for your baby's development .
You don't know what a sleep association is? No problem. Find out in this article everything you need to know to help baby fall asleep peacefully and erase the bad habits that make him cry at night.
Too hot / too cold
When babies are too cold, they often have restless sleep. Indeed, they are uncomfortable and want to move to warm up. When babies get too hot, they also have restless sleep. Indeed, they are uncomfortable and want to move to cool off. It's important to keep your baby's room at an optimal temperature for sleep so they can stay comfortable throughout the night.
You do not know how to dress your baby and what blanket to use so that he sleeps comfortably, read this article by clicking here .
Sleep regression
Sleep regressions are common in babies during the first two years of life. Most babies experience about four or five sleep regressions during this time. Sleep regressions can be unpredictable, but knowing when they happen and what to expect can help make them less disruptive.
For example, most babies experience sleep regression around 4 months , 8 months , 12 months , and even at 18 months . During a sleep regression, your baby may start to wake up again at night after sleeping through the night. This can be frustrating for parents, but it's important to remember that it's a normal part of development.
Check out our article on sleep regression.
Teething development
A baby goes through many stages, and one of them is teething. This process can be difficult for the baby, as he works hard to grow new teeth! He can therefore wake up more often during the night.
For tips on how to treat teething and its effects on sleep, read this post by clicking here .
Disease
Some babies wake up sick, while others are simply uncomfortable or restless. Whatever the reason, it's important to prepare for frequent awakenings and provide as much comfort as possible.
By showing understanding and patience, you can help your baby through this difficult time.
taking too many naps
It can be hard to get your baby to sleep through the night. Babies tend to sleep less at night and need daytime naps to compensate. However, if your baby takes too many long naps during the day, his nighttime sleep will be disrupted.
To find out how many naps your baby or toddler needs and how long they should last, check out this article .
Fatigue at bedtime
Babies who go to bed late tend to be too tired at bedtime and sleep less well than babies who go to bed early. Indeed, they are more likely to wake up because they are too tired. Try shifting your bedtime a little earlier to limit late-night awakenings due to fatigue.
Find out in this article how you can easily set up a good sleeping pattern .
A gene / A discomfort
Sometimes they wake up at night because they are uncomfortable, sometimes because they are hungry or wet. If your baby wakes up often , try to identify the source of his discomfort. It can be something as simple as an itchy shirt tag or a vaccine injection. Once you identify the source of the discomfort, you can work to relieve it.
Digestive problems (such as gas or reflux)
Sometimes this is due to a digestive issue , such as gas or reflux. Food allergies can also be involved, so you can try changing your diet. For more help with digestive issues, see your baby's doctor.
In this article , I explain simple techniques so that baby's sleep is not too affected.
Food allergies or sensitivities
Food allergies or sensitivities can cause a range of problems for your baby or toddler, including trouble sleeping . When introducing solid foods into your baby's diet, it is important to pay attention to the foods he eats. The most common food allergens are dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and wheat.
Articles that will surely interest you:
- Learn more about allergies and how to deal with them .
- What you need to know before giving solid foods to your child .
Nightmares or night terrors (12 months and over)
As babies over 12 months grow older, they may start having nightmares or night terrors, which can disrupt their sleep. Nightmares are frightening dreams that usually occur in the second half of the night and can cause a baby to wake up frightened and cry.
Night terrors differ from nightmares in that they usually occur early in the night and the baby may not be aware of them. The baby may just be very restless and sweaty, and he may cry or scream.
To know everything about night terrors, I advise you to read this article , you will know why you should never wake your child when he has a fit of terror.
A room that is too bright
It can be confusing for a baby trying to figure out the difference between day and night . Indeed, our brain associates light with awakening. That's why it's a good idea to let your newborn nap in a bright room.
For more on your baby's day/night confusion and how to deal with it, click here .
However, once your newborn understands the difference between day and night, it's best for your baby or toddler's room to stay dark while they sleep.
I elaborate on this topic in more detail in this article here .
A noisy room
Some babies and young children are light sleepers, the slightest noise wakes them up! For these little ones, white noise machines and apps are crucial for good sleep.
Indeed, babies cannot learn to sleep through noise on their own, they need help for that.
Here are some articles that might interest you:
- How white noise helps babies sleep easier
- Can you teach your baby to sleep with noise?
- How and why to use white noise to help baby?
If your child wakes up during the night, it is important to identify the cause. It can be an exhausting process, but it's worth it if you want your baby or toddler to sleep well through the night.
I hope this article has answered some of your questions.
Do any of these reasons why children wake up at night sound familiar? What are the most common reasons your baby wakes up at night? Tell us in the comments.
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