Why Does the Newborn Baby Not Sleep at Night?

Should You Worry About Your Baby’s Health If He Doesn’t Sleep at Night?

The newborn baby’s sleeping patterns concern many parents. It is quite difficult to understand why do newborn babies stay awake during the nighttime. New parents expect their babies to enjoy the day and sleep at night. That doesn’t happen in most cases.

Newborn babies take time to develop their circadian rhythm. It may take up to four months to develop. The baby would sleep whenever he wants till that time. The circadian rhythm is the internal body clock, which keeps us awake during the daytime and makes us sleepy at night.

Newborns are new to this world. Just like other bodily functions, their internal biological clock matures with time. If it got tough for you to manage the newborn baby’s sleeping pattern, this post will be helpful for you.

Why Don’t Newborns Sleep at Night?

Many things can be responsible for affecting a newborn baby’s sleep at night. Babies just wake up and start crying at night. It may become a bit frustrating, but you should be patient. One of the following reasons can affect your baby’s sleep at night:

1. Sleeping conditions are not fine

Newborn babies need a perfect environment to sleep. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the daytime or the nighttime. The baby won’t sleep if conditions are not good. The mattress should not be too saggy or too hard. Pick the right mattress for your kid to support his body in all sleeping poses.

Too much quilt can also affect your baby’s sleep. Pick a light and comforting quilt so that the baby won’t feel too hot or cool in the bed. Some parents put heavy blankets or quilt on the baby to keep him warm. It puts extra stress on the baby’s body and the baby wakes up. 

2. The diaper is too tight or wet

You may have chosen a top-rated diaper brand for your baby, but it may also discomfort your baby. Diaper companies provide nappies in different sizes. You should know your baby’s weight and age in months to choose the right size diaper. If you pick a too fit or too loose nappy for the baby, it won’t comfort the child.

Ill-fitting diapers are responsible for leaks and also for marks on the baby’s delicate skin. Return the nappy pack if you didn’t get the right size diaper for your child. It will be daunting for the baby to sleep at night if the diaper is too loose or tight.

Most newborns do not sleep at night because their diapers get wet. Parents trust diaper brands for nappy quality, but all promoted products do not provide overnight protection. Carefully check the type of absorbent material used in the diaper to ensure it will lock the wetness. Wet diapers can also cause diaper rashes and other skin infections! So, don’t take the risk of using poor-quality diapers.

3. Calcium deficiency

Calcium deficiency can also cause a lack of sleep in newborn babies. Babies can experience this type of health issues if the moms do not breastfeed them. Calcium deficiency is the biggest concern among all. Newborn babies completely rely on their moms for their food.

Babies have very limited food sources. They cannot consume water because their body is not ready to process water or other foods. Mom’s milk is a complete food for the baby. Feed your baby daily and avoid external food sources. Thus, you can prevent calcium deficiency in your newborn baby and let him enjoy soothing sleep. 

4. The baby is hungry

It is quite tough to fall asleep when hungry. Even adults find it tough to sleep when they do not have dinner before going to bed. A newborn child would definitely not sleep and he may cry to get fed. It is your job as a parent to understand when the baby is hungry and feed him.

The brain knows hunger is a priority and it alerts the body to meet that demand. Newborns sleep most of the time. Therefore, they don’t get exhausted and stay awake until they get food. If you had fed the baby recently, it might be puzzling to know whether the baby is hungry or not! If your baby nods and cries, he is hungry. Do not ignore that sign because it will further discomfort the baby. 

5. The baby is sick

Health issues can make it tough for the newborn to sleep calmly. Moms should carefully observe the baby’s health conditions to ensure he is fit. If you see any abnormality in your baby’s behavior or observe common health problems, take him to the pediatric doctor.

Doctors can perform all the checkups and provide the perfect treatment to comfort the baby. Newborn babies are unable to express their health issues. They just wake up and cry when they are not feeling well. Being a mother or father, you should daily notice the changes in the baby’s behavior.

If the baby has a cough, fever, or other health problems, provide the necessary treatment to keep him healthy and fit. Thus, your baby will get better comfort and fall asleep quite easily. The health problems can get worse if you do not take the baby to the doctor on time. So, do not take such risks!

6. The baby has already slept during the daytime

Newborn babies sleep 16-22 hours a day. Some babies prefer to sleep during the daytime and some snooze during the night time. If your baby has already slept during the day, he won’t snooze at night. The baby will play during the nighttime and prefer to be around the mom. Some babies cry if they find themselves alone because they aren’t habitual of being away from their mom.

You will find it daunting to follow the baby’s sleeping patterns. He is not accustomed to the day-night cycle. You complete all your works and household chores during the day. If the baby doesn’t sleep at night, he will definitely adapt to the circadian rhythm later. So, be patient and be there for the baby when he needs you.

What Should You Do If the Newborn Baby is Not Sleeping at Night?

If the baby does not sleep at night, you can try the following tricks to cultivate good sleeping habits. Your baby will quickly adapt and snooze at night.

1. Create a comforting environment for the baby

When it is time to go to the bed, create a comforting environment in the baby’s room. Make it quiet and warm. Reduce the sounds and activities in that room. The baby will stay calm for a while and then he will feel sleepy.

Your baby will quickly learn that nighttime is sleeping time. He will adapt to the new sleeping pattern in a few days and then you can also sleep at night.

2. Manage the baby’s eating habits

Most moms believe the baby is hungry when he wakes up at night. They start feeding the child so that he can feel comfortable and sleep again. That does not happen in most cases. You should wait for a while if the baby wakes up at night. Hug your baby and comfort him to see whether he stops crying or not.

If your baby stays calm when you are hugging and rocking him, he is definitely not hungry. Newborns sleep only for 2-3 hours at once. They sleep in small intervals throughout the day. As a mom, you will learn when your baby is hungry and when he is in the mood to play. Entertain your child and play with him before he goes to sleep. Feed the baby before he sleeps so that he won’t wake up next time to get fed.

3. Let your baby sleep on his own

Do you immediately pick up the baby in your arms if he cries in his sleep? Do not do that! Rock the swaddle for a few minutes to see how the baby reacts. It is common for newborns to cry in their sleep. They cry and fall asleep in a few minutes.

Gently pat your child if you see him crying while sleeping. It will comfort the baby and he will feel safer. If your baby wakes up and cries throughout the night, just comfort him and help him in sleeping. Thus, he will quickly learn that you are there and he shouldn’t get upset.

4. Pick the quietest space in the house for the baby

Your baby’s room should not be close to a noisy area. If your house is located close to the street, choose the room furthest from the street. Pick a quiet and comforting spot in the house so that the baby can snooze calmly throughout the night.

Conclusion

Newborn babies do not learn how and when to sleep immediately. They gently adapt to new sleeping habits and then snooze throughout the night. Some babies may take 4-5 months to learn how to sleep at night. So, stay patient, take care of your baby’s health, and provide the best environment to sleep at night.

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