Hey mama, if you’re reading this with one eye open while rocking a wide-awake baby at 2 a.m., we see you. Good sleep is important, not just for your baby’s growth and development, but for your sanity, too.
And while experts love to talk about sleep cycles and developmental leaps, they don’t always talk about the real-life moments, like when your baby pops awake for absolutely no reason. So we’re here to help. Below are the 10 most common reasons babies wake up at night… and what you can actually do about them to help everyone get a little more shut-eye.
1. Overstimulating Environments
Your baby’s room plays a major role in how well they sleep. Even small changes in sound, lighting, temperature, or movement (barely noticeable to adults) can startle a baby awake.
Blue light exposure is particularly disruptive (to you and your little). According to Harvard Medical School, screen light in the evening can suppress melatonin and disrupt circadian rhythms for about twice as long as any other light source.
How to fix it:
- Keep the room cool, dark, and quiet
- Remove electronics and avoid screens in the evening
- Minimize light and reduce noise
A calm, distraction-free environment reduces nighttime wakeups significantly.
2. Moro Reflex
Even in perfect conditions, babies may wake suddenly because of the Moro reflex, characterized by an immediate spreading of the baby’s arms and legs, followed by a retraction of their limbs inwards towards their body.
When this is happening, the baby will experience a feeling similar to free-falling, causing their bodies to react in such a physical way. However, there’s no need to be concerned about the Moro reflex as it is actually a sign that your baby’s nervous system is developing.
Common triggers:
- Light changes
- Loud noises
- Sudden touch or moving the crib
- Shifting baby’s position
- Being lowered into the crib
Our unique Zipadee-Zip starfish design mimics the cozy feeling of the womb to help calm the moro reflex.
Shop Sleeping Baby's Zipadee-Zip Swaddle Transitions
3. Room Temperature
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a bedroom temperature of 68–72°F (20–22.2°C).
Quick tip:
Touch the back of your baby’s neck — dampness suggests overheating, while coolness means they may be too cold.
Avoid over-bundling, which increases the risk of overheating and SIDS. A small fan can help circulate air more evenly (just make sure the fan is at least a couple of feet from the crib and isn’t too loud for them to sleep).
4. Baby Bedtime Routine
Even the simplest routine is better than no routine at all when it comes to your little one’s ability to sleep.
Effective bedtime habits:
- Set (and stick to) a consistent bedtime
- Dim lights and turn off screens an hour before sleep
- Try a warm bath or gentle massage
For more on this topic, we cover some useful insights and tips on baby sleeping in our article: Is Newborn Sleep Even a Thing?
5. Napping During the Day
Daytime sleep strongly influences nighttime sleep. Contrary to popular belief, keeping your baby awake longer does not help them sleep better. Overtired babies usually struggle more at night.
Too much daytime sleep or irregular nap schedules can also disrupt their natural rhythm.
General guideline:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants aged 4 to 12 months should get between 12 and 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours, which combines both naps and night time sleeping.
6. Physical Discomfort at Night
Sudden night waking paired with crying may indicate physical discomfort.
Possible causes include:
- Acid reflux
- Teething
- Sore throat
- Ear infections
Reflux is especially common and can cause nighttime pain. Feeding your baby slowly can help reduce symptoms. Watch for signs like high-pitched crying, grimacing, stiff body, or fussiness, and consult your pediatrician if symptoms persist.
7. Your Baby is Hungry
Night waking often happens simply because your baby is hungry. If they root or turn toward your breast when picked up, hunger is likely the cause.
The most efficient way to prevent babies from getting hungry at night is by introducing a dream feed.
Dream feeding is simply gently waking your baby for a small feed between 10 pm and midnight, and can reduce mid-night wakeups and help extend sleep stretches.
8. Baby Growth Spurts
Growth spurts can temporarily change your baby’s sleep patterns. Some babies sleep more during these periods, while others sleep less and seem fussier.
Expect around five growth spurts in the first year, each lasting 2–3 days. This is a normal part of healthy development.
9. Improper Baby Sleepwear
What your baby wears to sleep has a tremendous impact on the length and quality of the rest you and your little one will get at night. Parents and experts alike agree that swaddling from a young age is the best solution for night time baby clothing as it provides a warm, enclosed, womb-like environment that soothes babies and helps them sleep longer.
However, some babies do not like the swaddle experience and will try to wriggle their way out as soon as they have developed the strength to do so. In these situations, there are a number of effective transitioning products to help your baby be as comfortable as possible while they’re sleeping.
This is exactly why Sleeping Baby partnered with sleep experts to bring tired parents the sleep solutions designed around what your little one needs at every age and stage.
Click here to explore Sleeping Baby Sleep Solutions
10. Baby Teething Pains
Teething is a common disruptor of sleep. Symptoms include drooling, biting, restlessness, loss of appetite and increased chewing.
Ways to soothe teething discomfort:
- Ask your pediatrician about safe pain relief
- Use teethers or teething gels
- Chill teethers in the fridge for extra comfort
- Choose BPA-free, non-toxic materials
Handcrafted in Italy from pure, 100% natural latex rubber from the Hevea Brasiliense tree, our line of Natursutten teethers, pacifiers, and bottles are a safe and soothing choice. Click here to shop our line of natural soothing solutions.
Sources:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
- https://babygooroo.com/articles/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-for-my-babys-room
- https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/what-is-a-dream-feed-and-how-do-i-do-it
- https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Supports-Childhood-Sleep-Guidelines.aspx