The 5 Most Common Reasons Babies Wake Up

While we all dream of a full night’s sleep for our babies (and ourselves), that’s just not always the reality. Apart from the occasional 10-12 hours of sleep you might be lucky to get from around 3-4 months of age, most babies tend to wake up during the night. But exactly why do babies wake up at night? These are some of the most common reasons why your little one may not be sleeping through the night quite yet.

1. Soothing

Newborns tend to fall asleep whilst feeding, and it’s a habit that can follow them as they grow. The sucking action is soothing and pacifying, allowing them to relax and drift to sleep. If using a soother, infants may fall asleep with it, but then wake up again when it falls out. As easy as it seems to just give it to them again, this is a difficult habit for babies to kick and something they may be depending on for a while – something that can become a nuisance for parents!

2. Teething

Teething is another common reason why babies wake up, especially around six months. Unfortunately, it is something that is unavoidable while those new teeth start coming through, but it can be helped with some Calpol, or another alternative as recommended by your paediatrician.

3. Natural Changes in Behaviour

Many times, waking up in the night is just a natural progression through baby development. This happens because babies are gaining more self-awareness from around 6-9 months of age. They don’t necessarily need anything and will often entertain themselves by looking at toys and making noises. In these instances, there’s no need to disturb them as they will often fall back asleep without issue. This may change from about nine months of age when separation anxiety kicks in. It’s this time when they may scream for you when they wake up when they realise you are not around.

4. Sleep Cycles

We all go through natural sleep cycle patterns. Adults will wake 4-5 times a night, but we usually fall back asleep quickly. Babies, however, go through a “transition” as they move from one sleep cycle stage to another. This often includes waking, and they may cry out for soothing or eat. The first instinct is to go to them right away, but this should be less and less as they get older as night feedings become less and they learn to self-soothe.

5. Habitual

Some babies just are not great sleepers. This could be down to inconsistent bedtime routines or habits created to help our little ones get to sleep, including previously mentioned soothers. They may also associate going to sleep with being held or rocked, so when they wake up at night, they will cry out for this attention again. Even those babies who normally sleep wonderfully can turn into bad sleepers if they start to develop these habits.

Create a Relaxing Sleep Sanctuary

Babies waking up in the middle of the night is inevitable, but you can make the most of it by having fun yet relaxing nursery with the perfect room set from Beautiful Bambino. Find a comfortable, stylish and safe cot for your little one that’s also easy for you to reach them when they do wake up. Let Beautiful Bambino help make your baby’s room a comforting space for a good night’s sleep.