Newborn Wakes Up Every Hour

A newborn waking up every hour can be exhausting and confusing for parents. This frequent waking is common in the first few weeks of an infant's adjustment to life outside the womb. Newborns have shorter sleep cycles than adults and their small stomachs make them need to eat more frequently, leading to frequent waking during the night.

While newborns waking up every hour can be difficult for parents, it is also normal at this stage. Understanding why this happens can help parents be more prepared and less overwhelmed.

• Why are newborns waking up every hour?
• How to help newborns sleep through the night?
• Conclusion

Why are newborns waking up every hour?

Here are some reasons why newborns wake up every hour:

Hunger

Newborns have small stomachs and therefore need to eat frequently. Breastfed babies, in particular, may wake up every hour as breast milk is digested more quickly than formula. Newborns’ bodies need constant nutrition to support rapid growth and waking up to eat is a natural response.

Short sleep cycle

Newborns have short sleep cycles that typically last about 50 to 60 minutes. At the end of each cycle, they enter a light sleep phase and may wake up briefly. This is a normal part of newborns’ development and they usually need help to return to sleep during this phase.

Discomfort

Discomfort caused by flatulence, wet diapers, or temperature changes can cause newborns to wake up frequently. Their bodies are adjusting to the outside world and are more sensitive to minor discomforts. Parents may notice their baby stirring or crying until the discomfort is resolved.

Overtired

If a newborn wakes up too long between naps, it can become overtired, making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Overtired babies may wake up frequently during the night because their bodies have a hard time falling into deep sleep.

Growth spurts

During periods of rapid growth, they are often referred to as growth spurts, newborns may wake up more frequently to breastfeed to meet their increased nutritional needs. Growth spurts usually occur around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months of age and can cause temporary sleep disruptions.

Immature sleep patterns

Newborns are still developing circadian rhythms, which are internal clocks that help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Since their circadian cycles are not yet fully developed, their sleep may be erratic, resulting in frequent awakenings regardless of the time of day.

How to help newborns sleep through the night?

Establishing a consistent sleep routine

A consistent bedtime routine helps signal to your newborn that it's time to sleep. This may include a warm bath, gentle rocking, or lullabies. By following the same pattern each night, babies will begin to associate these activities with sleep, helping them to settle down and sleep longer.

Make sure you breastfeed frequently during the day

Breastfeeding your newborn more often during the day will help reduce the number of times they wake up at night due to hunger. Breastfeeding regularly every two to three hours during the day will ensure that your newborn is getting enough nutrients to prolong their sleep at night.

Swaddle for comfort

Swaddling mimics the comfort of the womb and helps newborns feel secure. The startle reflex (babies suddenly jerking their arms) can wake them up and swaddling prevents this from happening. Proper swaddling sleep sacks can help make your baby feel secure and promote longer more restful sleep.

Create a calm and cozy sleep environment.

Creating a quiet sleep environment can make a big difference in your baby's sleep. A room that is dimly lit, quiet, and at the right temperature helps minimize potential disturbances. A white noise machine can block out sudden sounds, and a cool, cozy space helps regulate body temperature.

Using dream feeding

Dream feeding is when parents feed their baby just before he or she goes to sleep, usually around 10 or 11 pm. This fills your baby's stomach, keeping them fuller for longer and potentially allowing them to sleep longer without having to wake up to feed.

Watch for signs of sleep readiness.

Paying attention to your newborn's sleep cues, such as yawning or rubbing their eyes, can help parents know when it's time to put them to sleep before they become overtired. Overtired babies have a harder time settling and wake up more often during the night.

Encourage day and night.

Helping your newborn recognize the difference between day and night can promote better sleep patterns. During the day, keep the room bright and interact with your baby. At night, keep the lights dimmed, noises low and activities calm. This will show your baby that nighttime is for sleeping.

Conclusion

Dealing with your newborn's hourly waking can be challenging, but it's a common experience for many parents. Understanding the reasons behind frequent waking - whether it's hunger, a short sleep cycle, or discomfort - can help keep expectations in check at this stage.

While it can't be done overnight, establishing a consistent routine, meeting basic needs, and creating a quiet sleep environment can extend sleep time. Eventually, sleep patterns tend to improve as the newborn grows and develops. In the meantime, patience and small adjustments can make a big difference.