Frequent waking can happen for many reasons and it’s often not a problem with sleep itself so it is best to look at what is driving the waking rather than trying to “fix sleep”.
Here are 6 factors to consider to help you work out why your baby might be waking frequently overnight:
1. Normal sleep development
Waking can be a normal part of early sleep development. As sleep matures sleep cycles change and there are short periods of light sleep between cycles and babies can naturally wake during these times. Some babies need more support to return to sleep than others especially if there is another need like hunger.
2. Feeding needs
Babies have small stomachs and rapidly growing bodies, so waking to feed is completely normal. This is especially important in the early months but many parents are surprised to learn that most babies will continue to wake for a few feeds up until 12 months and beyond.
3. Connection and attachment needs
Babies are biologically wired to seek closeness and reassurance from their caregivers. Waking can sometimes be an opportunity to reconnect, especially when a baby is going through a period of increased need for proximity or reassurance. Withholding affection at night is very outdated advice and connection is a genuine attachment need. There are ways to ensure that babies get their attachment needs met whilst the parent still gets the sleep they need.
4. Developmental changes
Periods of rapid development can temporarily affect sleep. Learning new physical, cognitive or social skills, changes in mobility, and increasing awareness of the world around them can all coincide with changes in sleep. This disruption usually doesn’t last long though, so if frequent waking is still occurring you may need to consider another possibility. Sleep needs also change as babies grow and they may need less sleep or a different distribution of sleep.
5. Environmental factors
Light, noise, temperature, sleep location, household activity and changes in routine can influence sleep. Your baby's sleep environment doesn't need to be perfect, but it's worth considering whether anything is making it harder for them to fall asleep or stay asleep. For instance, I am an advocate for napping where the activity is, in light and amongst noise so that your child can nap wherever you are, however this does not suit every baby. Some babies are more sensitive to light and sound than others and may require a quieter, darker space.
6. Physical reasons
Discomfort or illness can contribute to more frequent waking. Things such as congestion, reflux, eczema, teething discomfort, pain or other health concerns may affect sleep. Persistent or concerning changes in sleep are worth discussing with your child's healthcare professional. Sleep disorders also disrupt sleep such as sleep apnoea and restless legs. Some red flags for sleep disorders include snoring, mouth breathing, sweaty sleep, unusual sleep positions, pauses in breathing, very restless sleep. If your child has any of these signs mention them to your GP or send me an email at hello@earlynurturing.com.au if you are unsure.
Frequent waking is sometimes easy to work out and find a solution, sometimes it is very short lived, but if it’s been going on for more than a few days and you are struggling and not sure what is going on, I offer a range of sleep services to help you work it out and tailor a solution to suit both you and your baby’s needs. Please note I do not use any sleep training methods including CIO, controlled crying, pick up put down or any variation of these.