Why do Babies Wake Up at Night?

Bringing a new baby home shows you how precious sleep really is. Night wakings feel confusing because so many things change in the first year. Use this guide to understand the most common reasons babies wake at night and how you can respond with calm, simple steps.

1) Normal Sleep Cycles And Brief Arousals

Babies cycle through quiet sleep and active sleep (similar to adult non-REM and REM). During these transitions, short arousals and startles are normal, especially in active sleep. Many wakings last only a minute or two, and some babies resettle on their own with practice.

What helps: Put your baby down drowsy but awake when you can, keep the room dim and calm, and give a brief pause before you step in. A soft, warm night light such as theBaxter the Bunny night light or theOpal the Owl night light lets you check on your baby without bright lamps that make resettling harder.

2) How And When You Comfort At Night

Your response pattern matters.heavy parental involvement at sleep onset and during the night with more frequent night wakings, because babies learn to expect the same help to fall back asleep. That does not mean ignoring your baby. It means using brief, consistent reassurance so your baby practices self-soothing skills.

What helps: Choose a response plan you can follow for a week. Keep check-ins short, keep lights low, and repeat the same phrase each time so cues stay clear.

3) Big Milestones

Rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand, and first steps can all disrupt sleep. Babies often “practice” new skills at night or wake because they get stuck in a new position and need help. The pattern usually settles once the skill feels easier.

What helps: Give extra practice time during the day. Keep bedtime the same, and do calm, brief resets at night.

4) Teething Discomfort

Many babies begin teething around four to seven months, though timing varies. Teething can cause drooling and gum soreness, which may nudge more night wakings. Pediatric guidance suggests simple steps like gentle gum massage or a firm rubber teether; avoid medicated gels or numbing agents unless your clinician advises them.

What helps: Offer daytime relief, keep the routine steady, and use a warm, low light for quick checks.

5) Sleep Associations: Pacifiers And Bottles

Strong sleep-onset associations such as feeding to sleep or always replacing a pacifier can drive repeat wakings when the association goes missing. You can shift these habits gradually. Note that offering a pacifier at naps and bedtime reduces the risk of SIDS in the first year, so do not rush to remove it for young infants. If your baby is older and your pediatrician confirms night feeds are not needed, consider gentle weaning of bottles overnight.

What helps: If a pacifier falls out, wait to see if your baby resettles. Place a few pacifiers in the crib for an older baby to find independently. For bottles, shorten or space out night feeds slowly after your clinician gives the go-ahead.

6) Illness And “Germ Invasions”

Colds, ear infections, and seasonal bugs disrupt sleep. Extra wakings during illness are normal and usually improve as your baby feels better.

What helps: Focus on comfort and hydration, follow your pediatrician’s advice, and return to your usual routine once your baby recovers.

7) Newborn Needs: Small Stomachs And The Moro Reflex

Newborns wake because they need frequent feeds and because of the Moro, or startle, reflex. The reflex creates a sudden “falling” feeling with arms and legs extending, then curling in for security. It fades over the first months and usually disappears by about six months. Swaddling can reduce startles for young infants who like it, but always place babies on the back for sleep and stop swaddling at the first signs of rolling.

What helps: Feed on cue, keep nights calm and dim, and use safe swaddling only until rolling starts. For visibility without waking everyone, use a gentle glow from theBenny the Bear night light.

8) Routines And Environment

A short, predictable routine helps babies and toddlers fall asleep faster, wake less, and sleep longer. Keep light warm and low in the last hour before bed, and use quiet background sound only if needed, at the lowest effective volume and placed several feet from the crib.

What helps: Try bath, pajamas, feed if age-appropriate, two short books, then lights down. If household noise disrupts sleep, compare gentle options in theSound Soother collection and keep sound modest.

When To Talk With Your Pediatrician

Reach out if you notice snoring, labored breathing, persistent reflux symptoms, chronic congestion, eczema flares that disrupt sleep, or if wakings do not improve despite a consistent routine. Your clinician can check for medical causes and guide feeding plans as your baby grows.

The Bottom Line

Night wakings happen for many normal reasons, from sleep-cycle arousals to milestones and teething. Aim for a calm routine, a reassuring but consistent response, and a sleep-friendly environment with warm, low light. With practice, most babies stretch their sleep steadily, and your nights become easier too.