Your baby’s night waking and night crying pull on your heartstrings. And of course, you often jump right up because you don’t want the entire household to wake (and you hope to lull the little one back to sleep before they are fully awake).

There are a few common night-waking causes:

• Habit

If your baby is waking up at around the same time no matter what you have done during the day it can start to become a habit.

• Comfort

Is the room too cold/too warm? Teething? Learning a new skill? Dirty happy?

• Routine issue

Overtiredness at bedtime is caused by the accumulation of stress hormones. Day sleep affects night sleep which is why naps are important. Download the nap routine guide to help you set up the right age-appropriate wake windows and nap routines.

• Hunger

Generally speaking, if your baby is under 6 months old, they still need a feed overnight. Make sure to offer age-appropriate full needs throughout the day as opposed to snacking.

• New skill

Rolling, sitting, standing, and walking are the new skills your baby will master over time and they do love to wake up at night to practice the new skills.

• Sleep association

How your baby falls asleep at the start of each sleep period? Feeding, rocking, or holding to sleep? This is the most common cause of night wakings. After 4 months, your baby has the capability of learning self-settling skills and linking sleep cycles overnight.

Addressing these issues will diminish endless multiple-night wakings for most babies 3-12 months of age.

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