Reasons why your baby won’t sleep & what to do about it

baby won't sleep
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We’ve all been there – bleary-eyed sleep-deprived mums who can’t remember the last time they experienced a proper night’s sleep because your baby won’t sleep. I myself had 8 solid months of it and can spot another bleary-eyed mum with a baby that won’t sleep a mile off. When your baby won’t sleep, you can feel either at your wit’s end, or so tired that you just forcing yourself through life having tried so many different things, and probably also doing a lot of things you should’t do to try and get your little bundle of joy off to sleep! But hey, no judgment – as I’ve said, I’ve been there!

But if you’re reading this as a mama of a baby that thinks it’s party time when it’s bedtime, or a 2am in the morning, what should you do?

Here we share our top tips on things to try if your baby won’t sleep:

Light 

One really easy piece of advice I can give is to get your little one outside in the morning, as exposure to natural light can help your child sleep better and fall asleep faster

Exposure to daylight helps keep the rhythms of our body clock in sync with our environment, helping our bodies to produce the right hormones at the right time to aid sleep. It boosts your nocturnal melatonin production which signals to your body that it is time to sleep. Similarly, it increases the morning production of the steroid hormones cortisol – which helps you feel refreshed.

Of course, it goes without saying that you should always ensure your child is always protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays- and newborns (under 6 months) should be kept out of direct sunlight. Sunlight later in the day, when the sun is at its strongest, and during the summer months, when it is particularly strong, should be avoided. 

Temperature 

Alongside light, temperature is the other biggest external factor that impacts sleep- including for babies. To sleep, our bodies need to cool down, meaning that warm summer nights can play havoc with sleep patterns. During winter, although there is the temptation to reach for the thermostat and turn it up a few degrees, this can actually be counterproductive to sleep. 

While for adults creating an optimal sleep environment means setting the bedroom to 15-19 degrees, the recommendations for babies is slightly warmer- at around 16-20 degrees. It’s also important to think about what your baby sleeps in; bedding is best kept lightweight and well-fitting to keep babies comfortable and safe.

The baby is hungry

This is the most common cause when babies refuse to sleep or wake up in the middle of their sleep.

The baby’s body is developing very high, and sometimes at some stage, the baby needs to eat more than usual. Or sometimes before going to bed, children can be quite active compared to the amount of calories they have consumed so can become hungry again. You need to ensure that your baby is fed regularly, every 2-3 hours to ensure he/she is always getting enough nutrition.

The baby is thirsty

Many people wake up in the middle of the night because they are thirsty, especially when it’s hot or dry, so do the babies.

Dehydration during sleep will adversely affect the function of the body parts. Before going to bed, if your baby is over six months you need to give your baby a little water, if under six months however this should be only milk. Throughout the day, you need your baby to have enough water/milk. Do not let the child feel thirsty.

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Your child is excited

If before bedtime that nervous system is stimulated or excited, it will make it harder to sleep. Or sometimes it may be because your baby is too tired or miss a nap during the day that will disturb his or her sleep cycle, resulting in an infant refusing to sleep, sleeping less or waking. Avoid noisy games, equipment such as TVs, radios, computers, or any toys that catch your baby’s attention before bedtime.

They want to move

In the womb, babies love to move and that continues thereafter. Movements will help to develop muscles, increase metabolism but also reduce nerve stimulation and reduce stress both physically and mentally.

Sometimes it is reflexive, not the will of the child. If your child wants to move before bed, let him/her move. After being tired, the child will automatically sleep and sleep better.

He/she wants to be breastfed

As I said above, sometimes the child wants to be fed, nursed (not hungry). This makes children feel safer or more comfortable. It is because of the need, the instinct, the natural reflex of a baby who is breastfeeding. You can try to give your baby a pacifier when sleeping if you’re comfortable with it if you find it easier to make them sleep and they sleep better when using it.

Your baby is teething

Soreness, itching in the teeth when children are teething will make most babies not sleep or sleep less. Some babies undergo teething problems very quickly, others may have trouble sleeping, but some will cry, even stop eating, fever, abdominal pain, rash, etc. Apply cold compress on the tooth to relieve aches and pains, place a chew ring in the fridge and let the child use it (not too cold). Have your child chew something cool.

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Your baby’s health is not good

Infants are very sensitive and susceptible to diseases due to weak resistance. The most common are congestion, flu, cough, digestive disorders, vomiting, skin disease …

Sickness, fatigue, discomfort due to illness will often cause newborns refuse to sleep. First, identify the illness or condition that causes your baby’s health to deteriorate, then treat it. Before going to bed, try a warm bath or a light baby massage to relax your baby’s body.

The baby wants to change habits

If your baby wakes up earlier, sleeps later or vice versa, he or she may want to change habits. They may also be going through a sleep regression. At this juncture you may decide to change your baby’s sleep schedule. Short naps and long sleep will alternate during the day in conjunction with other activities such as eating, bathing, cleaning and playing. Each child has a different schedule. Depending on your baby and its age, you will need to make the schedule change accordingly.

They want comfort

Every child wants to be close to their loved ones, especially their mother. Many children like to be held by mums, rocked or want to sleep with mums so that they can feel safe and comfortable. But we need to work at giving them independence slowly. In the meantime it’s best to teach your baby how to self soothe.

Control what you can 

Parents of newborns are likely to sleep less as it’s normal for babies to wake during the night in the first months of life. Smaller stomachs mean more regular feeding patterns, which all too often means less sleep for parents.

According to a study, only 5% of parents of babies aged 0-6months old are getting the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. 43% report only getting one to three hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, which translates to waking up as many as three or four times per night. 

However, by simply being aware and recognizing what we can effectively control, can help in overcoming some of the challenges associated with the sleep deprivation of newborn-parenthood; it’s all about hacking your new sleep schedule. Some studies show that newborns sleep between 12 and 17 hours a day. If they are premature, they can even sleep up to 90 percent of their time. So, the good news is that it’s certainly possible for parents to find time to sleep – just not always in one uninterrupted stretch. 

Build in some recovery

Try to incorporate recovery phases throughout the day, rather than being on your feet all day.  It’s also important to know that there are ways to adapt and alleviate the lack of sleep. The very first one is to change your mindset. In some cases, new parents somatize (somatization occurs when psychological concerns are converted into physical symptoms) their interrupted sleep, which makes them feel more tired than they actually are. This may or may not be the case for some parents, but acknowledging the possibility can already help to put the situation into perspective and overcome the challenges. Focusing on actions that can improve sleep quality and allow for rest will energize you. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions at Pexels

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