Why won't my baby sleep at night?

Last reviewed June 19, 2026 by Dr. Sapna Jadhav, General Physician. Sources from ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NICE, NIH, Cochrane, and peer-reviewed journals.

Bottom lineFrequent night waking is normal for newborns - they have tiny tummies, need regular feeds, and haven't developed a day-night rhythm yet; calm dark night feeds, bright interactive days, and safe back-sleeping all help over the first months.

It's normal for newborns and young babies to wake often at night. They have tiny tummies, need frequent feeds, and haven't yet developed a day-night body clock. Night waking is expected in the early months, not a sign you're doing something wrong.

Common reasons

• Hunger: Small stomachs mean frequent feeds, including overnight.
• No day-night rhythm yet: This develops over the first few months.
• Needing comfort: Babies are soothed by closeness, feeding, and being held.
• Discomfort: A wet nappy, being too hot or cold, or wind.
• Overtiredness: An overtired baby can be harder to settle.
• Developmental leaps and growth spurts can temporarily disrupt sleep.

What can help

• Feed on demand and keep night feeds calm, dark, and low-key
• Make days bright and interactive, nights quiet and dim, to build their body clock
• Watch for early tired cues and settle before overtiredness sets in
• A simple, consistent wind-down can help over time

Keep sleep safe

Always put your baby down on their back, on a firm flat surface, in their own clear sleep space with no loose bedding, in your room for the first 6 months.

When to seek advice

Talk to your health visitor or doctor if your baby seems unwell, is very difficult to settle or console, is feeding poorly, or you're exhausted and struggling to cope.

Femora helps you track your own recovery and wellbeing through the broken-sleep newborn phase.

Coping tips: coping with postpartum sleep deprivation