Baby Sleep Tips
💤 Why Your Baby Isn’t Sleeping Through the Night — And How to Fix It
Published on: smart-baby-sleep.com
Category: Baby Sleep Tips
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
😴 Introduction
You’re rocking your baby at 3 AM — again. You’ve tried feeding, burping, cuddling, and singing the entire Cocomelon soundtrack. So why won’t your baby just sleep through the night?
You’re not alone. In fact, most babies under 12 months wake up multiple times at night — and it’s completely normal. But there are science-backed solutions to help your little one (and you!) sleep better.
In this post, we’ll break down the top 5 reasons your baby might not be sleeping through the night, and what you can do to fix it.
🍼 1. Baby is Hungry (Even if You Don’t Expect It)
Night wakings are often driven by growth spurts. Babies’ nutritional needs can change quickly, especially around:
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
- 6 months
Fix:
Try offering a dream feed between 10–11 PM to stretch their longest sleep window. And make sure daytime feeds are full and unrushed.
🧠 2. Baby Can’t Self-Soothe Yet
Some babies rely on rocking, feeding, or being held to fall asleep. When they wake during light sleep cycles, they need help going back to sleep.
Fix:
Start gentle sleep training strategies, like:
- Gradual withdrawal
- Pick-up/put-down method
- Minimal-intervention soothing
Don’t worry — sleep training doesn’t have to mean crying it out.
🔄 3. Naps and Bedtime Are Out of Sync
Too much daytime sleep or too-late naps can disrupt nighttime sleep. Overtired babies can also become more restless at night.
Fix:
Aim for age-appropriate wake windows. For example:
- 4–6 months: ~2 hours awake between naps
- 6–9 months: ~2.5–3 hours
Use a simple bedtime routine every night — consistency is magic.
🧷 4. Physical Discomfort (Teething, Gas, or Illness)
Babies can’t say, “Hey, my gums hurt!” so they cry instead.
Fix:
Check for:
- Teething signs (drooling, chewing, red cheeks)
- Gas (arched back, tense belly)
- Colds or ear infections
Treat symptoms gently, and consider talking to your pediatrician if symptoms persist.
🌙 5. Sleep Environment Isn’t Ideal
Light, noise, temperature, or even diapers can cause frequent wake-ups.
Fix:
- Use blackout curtains
- Try white noise
- Keep the room around 20–22°C (68–72°F)
- Make sure diapers are absorbent enough to last all night
💤 Final Thoughts
Remember, your baby isn’t “broken” if they’re not sleeping through the night — they’re just developing. Sleep is a journey, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
With gentle adjustments and a little patience, you can help your baby sleep longer, and more peacefully — and get some sleep yourself too.
✉️ Bonus: Want Help Creating a Bedtime Routine?
We’re working on a free bedtime routine cheat sheet — subscribe below to be the first to get it!
💌 Prefer direct contact? Reach us at info@smart-baby-sleep.com