Reasons Babies May Not Sleep at Night

Reasons Babies May Not Sleep at Night

While the main reasons why your baby might not be getting the sleep they need on a nightly basis are varied, and often complex, they tend to fit into a few main categories which are worth knowing more about. Knowledge is power and knowing more about what is likely to be the problem can help you seek out a solution.

Having had three kids myself, my third above as a baby, Florence, who is now 3, I’ve learnt a lot about sleeping or lack of it, over the years!

Here are just a few of the key reasons to bear in mind when your baby isn’t sleeping.

Uncomfortable sleeping environment 

Perhaps the easiest one to fix of them all is an uncomfortable sleeping environment. If this is a problem, there are all sorts of areas you can look into. You can certainly check out the crib itself and ask yourself whether its safe and large enough for example (babies grow quickly). You can check whether or not the room is sufficiently dark (we like black out blinds) and not too hot or cold (the ideal room temperature for a baby to sleep in is between 16-20 degrees Celsius so 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit). You might also find it helpful to invest in a white noise machine as this has been long proven to help little ones drift off on a nightly basis. They worked a treat for all three of my children and my toddler still has one in her room. 

Too much stimulation 

If babies feel like they’re too stimulated in the hours just before bed, this can prevent sleep. Look to establish a consistent nighttime routine that involves them calming down with some soothing activities. Amongst the most common of these that are often tried and tested is a warm bath followed by some story time or a lullaby. Experiment with a few different options and work out what is best for your little one.

Ill health 

While nobody likes it when babies get sick, this can be often start with disrupted sleep. Look out for the signs of illness and always trust your gut, seeking medical attention with any concerns. Right before any bug, my youngest will suffer with disrupted sleep which are soon followed by temperatures etc. During the winter, we like to use a humidifier, if our youngest has a cold or cough. By adding moisture to the air, a humidifier can help soothe dry nasal passages and make breathing easier, which can reduce nighttime wakings and improve sleep quality. Now Florence is 3, I also use lavender drops sprinkled on her bed to help her relax. Ask your doctor and pharmacist before using either though as they might not be suitable for all children. 

Changes in their routine 

There is no doubt that babies are creatures of habit who certainly thrive with routine. So, make sure that you are doing as much as possible to keep this consistent including trying to keep their daily naptimes normal and sticking to the same bedtime on an evening. Ultimately, what works well for one baby may not work well for another so you should certainly do a bit of experimentation until you are able to get this right. We try hard to stick to a routine when we’re on vacation or staying with family and friends. We stick to a 6pm dinner, 7pm bathtime, book (which is inevitably 5 books as Florence loves storytime) and sleep by 8pm. It means my husband and I get an evening too and Florence gets enough sleep. 

These are just a few of the main reasons that are worth bearing in mind and may point towards your baby not getting the sleep that they need. If you have any concerns, speak to your GP.