Night Wakings 101: Why Your Newborn Isn’t Sleeping Through the Night (and That’s Okay)
Hey mama (and papa, too)! If your nights feel like a blur of feeding, rocking, and soothing, you are not alone. Night wakings are one of the most common challenges new parents face, and while exhausting, they’re also completely normal.
Miriam - Newborn Care + Multiples Specialist
Why Newborns Wake at Night
Unlike adults, babies aren’t wired to sleep in long stretches right away. Here’s why:
Tiny tummies: Newborns need frequent feedings, day and night.
Short sleep cycles: Babies cycle between light and deep sleep every 50–60 minutes, which makes them easier to wake.
Immature body clocks: Their circadian rhythm (the body’s internal “day vs. night” system) isn’t developed yet.
Comfort needs: Sometimes it’s a wet diaper, being too hot/cold, or just wanting closeness that wakes them.
Add in growth spurts, teething, or even overstimulation from a busy day, and night wakings start to make more sense.
Normal vs. Problematic Night Wakings
It’s important to remember that everyone wakes up briefly during the night—even adults. The difference is that most adults roll over and fall back asleep without noticing. For babies, it can look a little different.
Normal: Waking every few hours for a feeding, comfort, or diaper change especially in the first months, is expected and part of healthy development.
Problematic: When wakings are very frequent, persist for months or years, or lead to significant disruption for both baby and parents, it may be a sign of a bigger sleep challenge (like sleep associations, illness, or discomfort).
Common Causes of Night Wakings
Night wakings can have many layers. Some of the most common include:
In Newborns
Hunger (tiny stomachs = frequent feeds)
Dirty or wet diaper
Being too hot or too cold
Startle reflex
Lack of circadian rhythm
As Babies Grow
Developmental changes: Teething, growth spurts, or hitting new milestones (like rolling or crawling).
Illness/discomfort: Ear infections, reflux, or other pain can disturb sleep.
Separation anxiety: Waking up and realizing a caregiver isn’t nearby.
Sleep associations: If baby relies on rocking, feeding, or a pacifier to fall asleep, they may struggle to self-soothe back to sleep when they naturally wake at night.
Coping With Night Wakings
While you can’t prevent every wake-up, you can make the nights gentler for everyone:
Check the basics first. Feed, diaper change, and comfort.
Keep nights calm. Use a quiet voice, low lights, and soothing motions.
Create a sleep-friendly environment. Dark, cool, and calm helps signal sleep.
Build healthy routines. A simple bedtime ritual helps baby wind down and know what to expect.
Promote daytime rhythm. Exposure to natural light and activity during the day helps babies learn the difference between day and night.
Address medical concerns. If you suspect illness, reflux, or other issues, consult your pediatrician.
How Harmony Baby Concierge Can Help
At Harmony Baby Concierge, we understand how draining night wakings can be. Our night nurses, newborn care specialists, and doulas gently care for your baby overnight. Whether that’s feeding, soothing, or keeping watch so you can actually rest. With professional support, parents wake up feeling refreshed, more connected, and ready to enjoy the day with their little one.
Final Thoughts
Night wakings may feel endless right now, but they are part of your baby’s growth and development. With time, gentle routines, and support, the nights do get easier. And remember, you don’t have to carry the weight of exhaustion alone.
🤎 You’re doing an amazing job, even in the quiet, sleepless hours.
Harmony Baby Concierge is a full service Newborn Care + Postpartum Support Agency based in Dallas, Austin and Houston, Texas.. We have a well-rounded team of Newborn Care Specialists, Night Nurses, Postpartum Doulas, Newborn Night Nannies and Baby Nurses. We provide lactation support, newborn care, night nursing, gentle sleep training and parent education to families of newborns. We serve all families with love, warmth and care. Serving: Dallas, Austin, Houston, Highland Park, University Park, Kessler Park, Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Plano, Frisco, Celina, Prosper, Fort Worth, Southlake, Westlake, Irving, Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Houston, Manvel, Galveston, West University, Austin, Barton Creek, Round Rock, Houston, Denver, New York City, Greenwich CT, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Englewood Colorado, Cherry Hills Village CO, and Surrounding Areas.