It is common for babies and toddlers to wake up during the night.
What to do when your baby wakes up
When your baby wakes in the night, try not to leave them crying for longer than a few minutes.
Do
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hold them and soothe them by talking softly to them - talking loudly may encourage them to stay awake
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feed them if they are hungry
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use a dim night light for a calm atmosphere - avoid blue light and bright screens in the bedroom
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put them back into the cot drowsy but awake - so they wake up where they fall asleep
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avoid changing their nappy unless it is dirty or very wet
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place them in a safe sleep position on their back to sleep
Why babies wake at night
Newborn babies do not know the difference between day and night. It is normal for them to wake up a few times each night during the first few months.
Babies under 6 months may wake up for feeds during the night.
You can start introducing solid foods to your baby at around 6 months. When babies are fully on solid foods, you can phase out night feeds.
How to help your child sleep through the night
Newborn babies (0 to 3 months)
Newborns are too young to follow strict bedtime routines. There are ways to help older babies go back to sleep. But these do not work with newborns. You need to stay awake with them.
Waking regularly during the night can be difficult for parents. Use the time your baby sleeps during the day to rest if you can.
Sleep patterns begin to develop from around 3 months. You might start to notice your baby sleeping for longer. You will see a difference between day and night-time wakening.
Newborn's sleep needs at 0 to 3 months
Babies age 3 to 6 months
Babies often begin to sleep more between 12am and 5am from around 3 months.
They may also stay awake for longer during the day. You can start to introduce a bedtime routine.
At this age, babies usually fall into a deep sleep within 5 minutes of going to sleep.
It is normal for your baby to wake briefly during the night.
Why your baby cries when they wake up
Crying is a form of communication. Your baby is telling you something.
They may:
- be tired
- be hungry
- have a dirty nappy
- miss you rocking them or rubbing their back
Rocking them or rubbing their back can become sleep associations between ages 6 and 12 months. When your baby is 6 months old, you can start to phase these out using the gradual retreat approach.
