Share this with your friends!

Why is baby Waking Up at Night?

If you’ve got a baby who’s waking up during the night, you’re probably feeling pretty exhausted. After all, those middle-of-the-night feedings and changings can take a toll! But before you start to lose hope of ever getting a good night’s sleep again, take a look at this list of reasons why your baby might be waking up during the night. Chances are, there’s a perfectly good explanation for it.

Hunger

This is probably the most common reason for night wakings. Babies’ tiny tummies can only hold so much milk (or formula), so they need to eat more frequently than adults do. If your baby is younger than 4 months old, he or she will probably need to eat at least every 2-3 hours during the night. As your baby gets older, he or she will be able to go longer stretches between feedings.

Wet or Dirty Diaper

If your baby is wet or dirty, he or she will probably wake up crying to let you know that a change is needed. Try to keep your baby’s diaper clean and dry by changing it before bedtime and again first thing in the morning. At night, check your baby’s diaper every 2-3 hours to see if it needs to be changed.

Discomfort

There are a lot of things that can make a baby uncomfortable during the night, from a wet diaper to a too-tight swaddle. If your baby seems fussy or restless, take a look around his or her sleeping environment to see if anything needs to be adjusted. Is the room too hot or too cold? Is the crib mattress firm enough? Is the swaddle too tight? Keep in mind that teething pains will also start to cause discomfort as baby gets older. Once you’ve addressed any comfort issues, your baby should settle back down and go back to sleep.

Baby Could be Getting Sick

If your normally well-behaved baby suddenly starts waking up in the middle of the night, it could be a sign that he or she is coming down with something. Keep an eye out for other signs of illness, such as a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, and call the doctor if you’re concerned.

If your baby is waking up during the night, it can be frustrating (to say the least!). But before you start to lose hope of ever getting a good night’s sleep again, take a look at this list of reasons why your baby might be waking up during the night. Chances are, there’s a perfectly good explanation for it—and with a little patience (and maybe some coffee!), you’ll get through it!

More from Swaddles n’ Bottles:

Swaddles n' Bottles is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This program does not effect the price a customer pays for products. To read more on affiliate links, please view our privacy and disclosure page.