How to Solve Middle-of-the-Night Wake-Ups
Why Middle of the Night Wake-Ups Feel So Hard
Middle-of-the-night wake-ups can be one of the most exhausting challenges parents face. Waking up multiple times disrupts your body’s ability to get restorative sleep, leaving you feeling physically drained, emotionally fragile, and foggy-headed during the day.
Sleep deprivation makes even small tasks feel monumental, saps your patience, and can leave you feeling like you’re in survival mode.
It’s no wonder that in those dark, quiet hours, it feels easier to bring your little one into bed or use whatever works to get them back to sleep quickly—but these habits can make wake-ups feel endless without a plan to break the cycle.
Are you doing whatever you can to get some rest—bringing your little one into bed during those frequent wake-ups is such a common go-to for so many moms. And while it’s a quick fix in the moment, it can sometimes create a pattern where your little one starts expecting that extra comfort to get back to sleep.
The challenge with co-sleeping during these times is that is can create a habit for your little one to expect that nighttime cuddle when they wake. If your goal is for your little one to stay in their own crib at night then I can help you gently shift those expectations without a lot of tears.
Multiple night wake-ups can happen for a few reasons:
- Sleep Associations: If your little one is used to certain things (like rocking, nursing, or snuggling with you) to fall asleep initially, then your baby will likely need the same help during the night.
- Undertired: If your little one is not getting enough wake time during the day, it can cause restless sleep.
- Overtired: Too much awake time or missing your baby’s sleep windows can also lead to more wake-ups.
- Falling Asleep in the Crib: If your little one is not going into the crib awake and learning to fall asleep independently, your baby will wake at the end of a sleep cycle and need help settling back down.
A Quick Tip to Solve Multiple Night Wake-Ups
One of the best ways to tackle frequent wake-ups is by teaching your baby independent sleep skills through gentle sleep training. By helping them learn to fall asleep on their own at bedtime, they’ll be more likely to connect sleep cycles during the night without needing your help.
Start by making sure they go into the crib awake, so they can practice settling themselves. A consistent bedtime routine and the right sleep environment can also make a big difference. Looking at the big picture is helpful as well. Start with taking a deep dive into their wake windows, day time schedule and nap time length. Do you need to make a schedule change to their nap time? Is it time to drop a nap?
If you’re ready to dive deeper into solving night wake-ups, schedule a 15 Minute Free Sleep Evaluation Call. I’d love to dig in and find the root cause of the middle of the night wake ups with you! If you decide after the call that you are ready to move forward I can coach you through a gentle, supportive plan tailored to your little one’s needs. Let’s get you both sleeping better!