6 Reasons Your Baby Wakes Up At Night

Ebube Imana

Does your baby wake at short intervals all through the night, depriving you of any shut-eye? Having a new baby comes with lots of sleepless nights, however, noting these common reasons babies wake up at night and devising ways to manage them will help you get some needed rest.

1. Hunger Pangs

During the first few months of a baby’s life, due to the capacity of their little tummies, they need to feed often, making it impossible for them to sleep throughout the night without waking up to feed.  However, as they get older, usually from 6 months when formulas and solids are introduced, they should be able to sleep longer for about 5 to 6 hours at a stretch, making ‘night duty’ less demanding.

Have a fixed bedtime for baby and always feed baby shortly before then, so they wake up much later during the night.

2. More Cuddle Time With Mummy

Your baby may just want to spend more time getting some cuddles or warmth from you. This happens when there is a sudden change in baby’s sleeping arrangement, and common with babies who used to share the family bed (co-sleep with mum and dad).  A change might result in baby waking up quite often until they get used to the new sleeping arrangement.

3. Teething

As your baby grows, teething is inevitable and so is the pain. Your baby may wake up during the night due to the discomfort. Using a recommended teething medication to soothe your baby will most likely get him back to sleep.

READ ALSO: BABY’S HEALTH: 15 Signs Your Baby Should See A Doctor

4. Developmental Milestones

When your baby starts learning to do new things like crawling, walking, and so on, he may wake up during the night so he can try this out. This is normal and will soon pass.

5. Growth Spurts

Growth Spurts is usually associated with increased appetite, and with increased appetite comes a higher demand for food. During this period, a baby will wake up more usual to feed.

6. Reverse Cycling

If you have been away during the day or just resumed working, your baby may try to make up for lost time with you during the day by waking up at night to play with or just be held by you. With my son, he woke up a for few days after I started work to play but eventually stopped. Not to worry, after a while, your baby will become accustomed to your new schedule and return to his normal sleep pattern.

With these common underlying causes highlighted, learn effective ways to reinforce better and longer baby sleep through the night. Curb sleep deprivation, become a more rested mum! Find some useful tips here.