4 Reasons Your Newborn is Up All Night
Does it feel like your newborn is waking up frequently all night long?
No, we cannot expect our newborns to sleep through the night, but we can expect to at least get a few hours of sleep at a time. If it feels like your newborn is waking up more than necessary, you will want to read about these common issues.
Why is my newborn up all night?
Incomplete Daytime Feeds
Getting nice full feeds in during the day can help reduce wake ups at night. Do your best to get a full feed in every 2-3 hours during the day. Focus on keeping your baby awake while eating so they can take a full feed before falling asleep. This can be a tricky task in the beginning. It can be helpful to undress your baby down to their diaper, gently tap on them, wiggle their limbs, or use a damp washcloth to help keep them awake.
Inadequate Daytime Sleep
Newborns need a ton of sleep. The average newborn gets 5-8 hours of daytime sleep per day. Good daytime sleep begets good nighttime sleep. Follow age appropriate wake windows and sleepy cues to help your baby get adequate rest during the day.
Overstimulation
The world is exciting! Once babies “wake up” to the world, they can become very easily overstimulated. Some babies can tune out stimulation, while others will fight their sleep because of what’s going on around them. It may seem like your baby is perfectly happy spending the evening watching you make dinner, watching your toddler bounce off the walls, and listening to music. Then they end up fighting their sleep when it is time for you to put them to bed. It can be helpful to reduce stimulation as nap time or bedtime approaches. Wearing your baby in a carrier facing you during busy times of the day can help buffer some of the stimulation as well.
Gas
Gas is a common culprit of discomfort in the newborn months. Your baby’s digestive system is still developing and it is normal for them to struggle with gas. They can also swallow extra air while eating or crying. This gas can end up causing them to wake more frequently at night. Focus on getting nice good burps out after every feed. You can also try bicycle kicks and tummy massage throughout the day. I recommend watching out for signs of reflux or lip/tongue tie as these can also cause discomfort at night.
Finally, set realistic expectations.
It is completely normal for your baby to wake up every 3-4 hours for the first 4 months. Yes, you are going to hear about those newborns who will sleep 8 hours straight, but that’s just not the case for all babies. If your newborn is waking more frequently than every 3 hours after the first month, I recommend scheduling a consultation call with me. We can troubleshoot together to figure out what YOUR baby needs. If your baby is older than 4 months, you can actually start the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep independently, lengthen their naps, and cut down on night wake ups! Explore my services here.