Why does my baby wake up every hour

If your baby wakes up every hour during the night, it can be a source of frustration and exhaustion for both you and your little one. Understanding the underlying reasons for this frequent waking is crucial in finding effective solutions to improve everyone's sleep quality. From hunger cues to discomfort or developmental milestones, various factors could contribute to your baby's disrupted sleep patterns. Let's explore some potential reasons why your baby might be waking up so frequently and discuss strategies to help them - and you - get a better night's sleep.

Why is my newborn waking up so much?

Your baby's sleep cycle is relatively short, typically lasting less than 60 minutes, and involves transitioning between light and deep sleep stages, including REM sleep. As a result, it's normal for your baby to stir, squirm, or briefly wake up every 45 minutes to an hour. Additionally, newborns haven't established a regular day-night rhythm yet, and their tiny tummies require frequent feedings, even during the night. Breastfed newborns may need to feed every two to three hours, while formula-fed babies typically feed every three to four hours. These factors contribute to your baby waking up frequently throughout the night.

Why is my older baby waking up so much?

As babies grow and develop, their sleep patterns can fluctuate, leading to periods of frequent night waking even after they've reached the milestone of sleeping for longer stretches. Around 3 to 4 months old, many babies experience a sleep regression where they start waking up more frequently, resembling newborn sleep patterns. Several factors could contribute to this, including hunger, teething discomfort, the transition out of swaddling, and the ongoing process of learning to self-soothe. These challenges can disrupt your baby's sleep and result in more frequent awakenings during the night, despite their increasing ability to sleep for longer periods without feeding.

Implement the 5 S’s

Incorporate the 5 S’s method for soothing your baby to promote better sleep. Begin by swaddling your baby snugly during all sleep periods until they can roll over independently. Introduce white noise, such as gentle shushing sounds, during bedtime routines and throughout the night to create a soothing environment. Utilize rhythmic rocking motions to help your baby relax and settle into sleep. Experiment with holding your baby in a stomach or side position, which can provide additional comfort. Finally, consider offering a pacifier during sleep times to help satisfy your baby's sucking reflex. These techniques are designed to activate your baby's natural calming reflex, facilitating relaxation and promoting restful sleep.

Establish a calming bedtime routine

Most babies respond well to a bedtime routine starting around 6 to 8 weeks old. Establishing a soothing routine about 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime can help calm your baby and ease them into a restful night’s sleep. This routine could include activities such as a warm bath, gentle rocking, quiet lullabies, or reading a short story. By consistently following these steps, you can help your baby recognize that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. For more tips on creating an effective bedtime routine for your baby, read on to learn how to get on track.

Allow your baby time to self-soothe.

Unless your baby is crying intensely, give them a few moments to soothe themselves back to sleep. If you’ve swaddled your baby and are playing white noise—two essential parts of the 5 S’s for calming babies—they may settle within 30 seconds. Baby sleep cycles are short, lasting less than an hour, so it’s normal for them to wiggle, squawk, or cry as they transition to another sleep cycle. If your baby is in a responsive bassinet like the SNOO, its sound and motion features, along with the built-in swaddle, can help soothe your baby during these transitions.

Add a dream feed to your routine.

For most babies, hunger is the top reason for waking up in the middle of the night. To address this, try offering your baby a dream feed between 10pm and midnight before you go to bed. Research indicates that this can help reduce night wakings and encourage longer stretches of sleep.

Increase daytime feeds

If your baby is waking up every hour, it might be time to increase their daytime feedings. In the womb, babies received constant nourishment, so they naturally need frequent feedings to support their rapid growth. While you don't need to nurse 50 to 100 times a day like mothers in some cultures, newborns do need at least 10 to 12 breastfeedings a day, or six to eight bottle feedings. To manage frequent feedings and still get some rest, try feeding your baby every 1.5 to 2 hours during the day. If your newborn is asleep, consider waking them after two hours. This approach can help you achieve longer stretches of sleep at night, eventually leading to more consistent rest.

Consider moving Baby’s bedtime

When a baby wakes up in the middle of the night, it might indicate that their bedtime is too early. Additional signs of an early bedtime include your baby resisting sleep for 30 to 60 minutes or not appearing tired at bedtime. If you suspect this is the issue, gradually adjust your baby's bedtime routine by shifting it 15 minutes later every two to three nights until you find the optimal bedtime.

Be boring

When attending to your baby for a feed or diaper change at night, ensure the environment is dim, quiet (except for the white noise), and uninteresting. This helps prevent night-wakings from becoming enjoyable or something your baby anticipates.

Conclusion

Understanding why your baby wakes up every hour can be challenging, but it's essential to recognize the various factors at play, from hunger and sleep cycles to teething and developmental milestones. By implementing strategies such as the 5 S’s, adjusting feeding schedules, and ensuring a soothing sleep environment, you can help your baby (and yourself) get more restful nights. Remember, every baby is different, and finding the right routine may take some time and patience. Ultimately, with consistent efforts and a bit of trial and error, you can improve your baby's sleep patterns and foster a more peaceful nighttime routine for the entire family.