Frequent night waking is a common concern for parents, especially as babies transition past the newborn stage and begin to develop more adult-like sleep cycles.
If you’ve been wondering, “Why is my baby waking up frequently at night?”—you’re not alone.
In this article, we’ll dive into some common reasons why babies wake at night starting from 5 months and how to address them.
Sleep from 5 Months Onward: What Changes?
After the 4-month sleep regression, your baby’s sleep patterns mature.
They start transitioning through light and deep sleep stages, similar to adults, and may wake up between these cycles.
Here’s how this shift can impact your baby’s sleep and what you can do to help.
1. Sleep Associations and Night Waking
From around 5-6 months, babies can develop strong sleep associations, which are habits or items they rely on to fall asleep, such as rocking, feeding, or using a pacifier.
If your baby wakes up between sleep cycles and those conditions aren’t present, they may fully wake up and need help getting back to sleep.
Solution: Start encouraging your baby to fall asleep independently.
This doesn’t mean letting them cry it out but instead offering support while gradually reducing sleep aids like rocking or feeding.
Over time, this will help them link sleep cycles on their own.
2. Hunger vs. Habit
By 5-6 months, frequent night waking is often less about hunger and more about habit.
However, distinguishing between hunger and comfort can be tricky, especially if your baby still wakes every 2-3 hours.
Solution: Monitor how much your baby eats during the day.
If they’re getting enough food, try soothing them in other ways during night wakes, like patting their back or using a reassuring voice, rather than immediately offering a feed.
3. Bedtime Routine Matters
A consistent bedtime routine is key for establishing healthy sleep habits at this stage. It signals to your baby that it’s time to wind down and helps regulate their internal clock.
Solution: Create a calming routine that includes a warm bath, a gentle lullaby, and dim lighting.
Stick to this routine nightly to help your baby settle into sleep more easily.
4. Physical and Developmental Milestones
As your baby approaches 6 months, they may start hitting major developmental milestones like sitting, crawling, or teething.
While exciting, these milestones can temporarily disrupt sleep as your baby practices their new skills.
Solution: Be patient and provide comfort without overstimulation. Once your baby masters their new skill, sleep usually improves again.
5. Separation Anxiety
Closer to 8 months, some babies experience separation anxiety, which can cause them to wake at night seeking comfort from their parents.
Solution: Offer reassurance and comfort when needed to build trust.
Gradually, you can help your baby learn that they are safe even when you’re not immediately visible, but expect to provide extra cuddles during this phase.
As we’ve discussed, there are several factors that can contribute to frequent night waking, from sleep associations to developmental milestones and even separation anxiety.
But, as every baby is unique, it can sometimes be tricky to pinpoint exactly why your baby is waking up frequently at night.
Decoding Night Wakes: What’s Really Going On?
Let’s break down some of the most common scenarios that cause frequent night waking and how you can respond to them:
- Waking up shortly after bedtime or frequently before midnight?
This often points to overtiredness. When a baby becomes too tired, they can miss their optimal sleep window, making it harder for them to fall into a restful sleep. This overtired state can cause frequent wake-ups early in the night as their body struggles to settle. Try adjusting their bedtime earlier to ensure they aren’t too tired when you put them down for the night. The key is catching those sleep cues—losing the focus, pinkish skin around eyebrows, or avoiding eye contact —before they become overtired.
- Sleeping one long stretch followed by shorter stretches?
This pattern is commonly related to hunger. Especially during growth spurts, babies may wake more frequently after their initial long sleep stretch, needing extra feeds to keep up with their rapidly growing bodies. If your baby sleeps well for the first few hours but wakes often afterward, it might be time to adjust daytime feedings.
- Waking every 2-3 hours?
This type of wake-up pattern could be due to sleep associations. Babies often become reliant on the method they used to fall asleep—whether it’s feeding, rocking, or using a pacifier. When they wake between sleep cycles, they may look for that same condition to fall back asleep. If your baby is waking every couple of hours, it may be helpful to start teaching them to self-soothe by gently easing away from these associations.
- Awake for over an hour in the middle of the night?
If your baby is wide awake for extended periods in the middle of the night, this could indicate undertiredness. They may not be getting enough stimulation during the day or could be napping too much, leading to difficulty staying asleep at night. Ensuring your baby has enough physical activity, playtime, and exposure to natural light during the day can help create the right amount of tiredness to promote better night sleep.
- Waking up at 5 AM ready for the day?
Early risings are a common but frustrating issue for many parents. Hunger, overtiredness, or even the sleep environment can all play a role in early wake-ups. Ensure the room is dark enough (blackout curtains can help), and try to maintain a quiet environment with white noise. If hunger is a factor, adjusting feeding schedules or offering a late-night feed can also help extend sleep in the early morning hours.
Conclusion
By carefully observing your baby’s behavior and making small adjustments to their routine, you can often improve their night sleep significantly.
While it can feel challenging, remember that every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
I’m Lena, a founder of Caring Sleep Solutions. I’m a neuroscientist, and a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Adult Sleep Coach, and most importantly, a mother who has experienced severe sleep deprivation. For more tips and insights on improving sleep for both you and your little one, follow me on Instagram.
If sleep is affecting your family life, you don’t have to go through it alone. The solution may be simpler than you think. Explore my 1:1 support options, and let’s work together to create a gentle, personalized plan that helps your little one sleep better—giving you the rest you need.