What to Do If Your Newborn Stays Awake All Night
Many parents find themselves awake at night, walking or driving with their newborns in hopes of getting a few peaceful hours of sleep. This struggle often comes from the fact that newborns do not have a well-established sleep pattern and may sleep more during the day and be awake during the night.
This period can be tiring, but it is a normal part of early parenting. Babies have frequent feeding needs, and their internal clocks are still developing. Having a safe sleep environment and understanding what to expect in these first weeks are important for both the baby’s health and the prevention of issues like SIDS. Learning more about newborn sleep habits helps parents support their child as they slowly adapt to life outside the womb.
What to Do When Newborn Stays Up at Night
Encourage Daytime Awareness
To help newborns adjust their sleep patterns, caregivers should make daytime feel bright and active. Babies should be exposed to natural light, even when they are napping, as sunlight helps set their internal clock. Household sounds such as voices, light music, and daily routines can continue as usual to show babies that the day is for being awake and active. There is no need to tiptoe or keep the house silent while the baby sleeps during the day.
Encouraging short and regular naps is important so the newborn does not get too tired, which can make it harder for both babies and parents at night. It is not a good idea to keep babies awake all day to “wear them out” for night-time. In fact, overtired newborns can become fussier and may have trouble settling down when bedtime comes around. Spotting sleep signals—like yawning, rubbing eyes, or fussiness—and acting quickly to help the baby rest will make sleep come easier.
Use Clear Nighttime Signals
Nighttime should always feel quiet, calm, and a little boring to the baby. Parents can dim the lights, use blackout curtains to block unwanted light, and keep the nursery dark when it is time for sleep. While feeding or soothing at night, it is best to keep voices soft and interactions brief. This helps babies learn that nighttime is not meant for play or long periods of wakefulness.
To keep things extra clear for the baby, lights can be switched to a low setting, and any necessary care such as diaper changes or night feedings should be quiet and gentle. Swaddling can help the baby feel more secure and may prevent sudden movements that wake the baby up. Keeping the crib or bassinet uncluttered, with the infant placed on their back for safety, supports healthy sleep positions and lowers the risk of accidents.
Maintaining these nighttime habits not only supports safer sleep but also helps teach babies the difference between day and night. Over time, babies will start sleeping for longer stretches and may eventually sleep through the night.
Stick With a Predictable Sleep Routine
Consistency is helpful for babies learning when it is time to sleep. A simple routine before putting the baby in bed, such as a warm bath, reading a short book, feeding, and cuddling, can signal bedtime.
Sticking to this order and timing each night encourages the baby’s body to prepare for rest. If the baby wakes up during the night, try to repeat calming steps from the bedtime routine to reinforce nighttime habits.
It may help to keep a sleep log to track patterns like when the baby naps, wakes, and feeds. This information can guide adjustments in daily activities, such as moving bedtime up if the baby is overtired or encouraging a nap earlier in the day. Families who room-share may find it easier to respond to the baby’s needs quickly at night, while still keeping a safe sleep environment.
Following a steady routine makes it easier for everyone to know what to expect at bedtime and overnight. Each small step helps teach newborns the difference between night and day, setting the stage for longer sleep stretches as babies grow. Breastfeeding parents are encouraged to rest when possible, as night feedings are normal, but sleep can improve as the baby develops a more regular sleep pattern.
Newborn Sleep Habits Explained
Newborns often have unpredictable sleep patterns, especially in their first few months. Most newborns will sleep for short periods of about 2 to 3 hours at a time, often waking through both day and night. Their total sleep in a 24-hour period usually ranges from 14 to 17 hours, but some may sleep as little as 12 hours or as much as 19 hours each day.
Because newborns do not yet know the difference between day and night, they can be awake often during nighttime hours. This can make it seem like they are up all night, which is normal in the early weeks. Babies’ sleep cycles are also much shorter than adults’, lasting only about 50 minutes per cycle. During sleep, newborns spend nearly half of their time in a lighter, more active stage of sleep.
As they grow, babies gradually begin to sleep for longer periods at night and spend less time awake after feedings. It’s normal for parents to notice changes in their baby’s sleep patterns as they develop.
Reasons Newborns Confuse Day and Night
How Babies’ Internal Clocks Develop
In the first weeks after birth, a baby’s internal clock, called the circadian rhythm, has not yet adjusted to the outside world. This system controls when people feel sleepy or awake, but for newborns, it is still very immature. Because of this, babies might sleep long hours during daylight and become alert late at night or early morning.
Role of Feeding in Baby’s Sleep Cycle
Newborns often wake to feed every two or three hours, no matter the time of day. Since their tiny stomachs empty quickly, these frequent feedings happen both during the day and at night. The routine of feeding on demand can further blur the difference between day and night for babies.
Environment’s Effect on Sleep Patterns
The setting where a baby sleeps can influence their sleep habits. Bright lights, noise, and activity during the day help set a pattern for wakefulness, while a dark, calm, and quiet place at night signals that it is time to sleep.
If the lights stay on or there is noise at all hours, it is harder for a newborn to learn the difference between night and day. Parents can help by keeping daytime play and feedings lively, and nighttime soothing and low-key.
Common Newborn Sleep Mistakes
Many parents unintentionally follow habits that can make newborn sleep even harder. One common mistake is not following a predictable bedtime routine. Babies often sleep better when they start to recognize what happens before bedtime, like a bath or quiet time. Without a routine, babies may feel confused and have trouble settling down.
Ignoring a baby’s signs of sleepiness can also lead to difficulty. When parents miss these cues, babies can become overtired, making it harder for them to fall and stay asleep. Signs might include rubbing eyes, yawning, or being fussy.
Some caregivers rely on “sleep crutches” such as rocking, feeding to sleep, or constant holding. While these may help in the short term, babies can develop a strong need for these associations to fall back asleep if they wake during the night.
Switching to a crib or bigger bed too soon, or changing sleeping places often, can disturb a baby’s sense of security. It is important for babies to have a safe, consistent sleep environment each night.
Lastly, many parents may expect their newborn to sleep through the night right away. Newborns have different sleep cycles and need time to adjust. Understanding normal newborn sleep patterns and being patient can help reduce frustration.
When Baby Sleep Gets Better Over Time
Newborns often have sleep patterns that seem unpredictable and can leave parents feeling exhausted. These patterns usually start to change on their own as the baby grows and develops. It is common for younger babies to wake up several times during the night for feedings or comfort.
By about six to eight weeks, many babies begin to sleep for longer stretches at night. Their bodies start to produce melatonin, which helps them understand the difference between day and night. Some babies start showing these patterns a little earlier or later, but most will naturally spend more time sleeping at night by three months.
Babies rarely sleep through the entire night without waking until they are several months old. Consistent bedtime routines, such as dimming lights or gentle singing, can support this natural shift in sleep patterns. Most parents notice gradual but steady improvements in their baby’s sleep, including a few longer stretches of rest and more predictable naps during the day.
Helping Newborns Sleep Better
Establishing a calm and predictable routine can help newborns understand when it is time to sleep. Caregivers might find it helpful to keep lights dim and limit noise during nighttime feedings or diaper changes, which signals that nighttime is for rest. Try to put the baby down when they are sleepy, but not fully asleep, so the baby learns how to self-soothe.
A regular bedtime routine, such as giving a warm bath, singing a lullaby, or reading a short story, can make nighttime calmer for both the baby and the caregiver. It may also be useful to make daytime more exciting by offering playtime and light to help the baby learn the difference between day and night.
Caregivers should remember that newborns need time to adjust to sleeping for longer stretches at night. Creating a peaceful sleep environment and being patient can encourage better sleep habits over time.
