Why Is My Baby Waking Up at Night? A Holistic Sleep Consultant Explains

If you’re reading this at 3am, bleary-eyed and searching for answers while your baby wakes up again, you’re not alone. Night waking is one of the most common concerns I hear from parents and it can feel incredibly draining, confusing, and sometimes even a little bit personal.

The truth is, night waking is biologically normal for babies. But that doesn’t mean you have to just suffer through it. As a holistic baby and child sleep consultant, I help parents understand why their baby is waking and what gentle changes might help everyone get more rest.

The Peaceful Sleep Company - Why Is My Baby Waking Up at Night? A Holistic Sleep Consultant Explains

Let’s explore what could be going on.

Why Babies Wake at Night: It’s Not Always What You Think

There are so many reasons a baby might wake at night, and often it’s a combination of a few things:

1. Hunger (especially in the early months) Newborns have tiny tummies and may still need feeds overnight. Even older babies can wake from hunger during growth spurts.

2. Developmental milestones Rolling, crawling, walking, babbling - all of these big brain and body leaps can disrupt sleep temporarily.

3. Sleep pressure and overtiredness If a baby is put to bed too late or hasn’t had the right balance of naps in the day, they can actually become harder to settle and more likely to wake overnight.

4. Environmental factors A room that’s too light, too warm, or overstimulating can affect night-time sleep. Noise, temperature shifts or a wet nappy can also disturb them.

5. Comfort and connection Some babies simply need reassurance during the night. Waking is a way of checking, "Is my safe person still here?"

What’s Not the Cause (But Often Blamed)

Let’s clear something up: your baby waking in the night is not because you’ve made a mistake, spoiled them, or created a "bad habit."

There’s so much pressure on parents to fix sleep problems quickly or to push for independence early. But your baby is a human being with needs that shift and change. Night waking is a phase for many, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

5 Gentle Shifts That Can Help

You don’t need to overhaul everything. Often, one or two small changes can make a real difference:

1. Adjust nap timings or bedtime Sometimes waking at night is a sign that naps need tweaking or bedtime needs bringing slightly earlier.

2. Create a calming bedtime routine Babies thrive on rhythm and predictability. A short, gentle routine can help signal that sleep is coming.

3. Use light and dark strategically Expose your baby to natural daylight during the day and keep evenings dim. This helps support their circadian rhythm.

4. Wind down before bedtime Avoid overstimulation in the hour before bed. Gentle play, lullabies, and quiet time go a long way.

5. Review the sleep environment Consider temperature, lighting, noise, and comfort. Small tweaks can make big differences.

When to Ask for Help

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and your baby is still waking multiple times a night, it might be time to reach out for support.

Whether it’s due to reflux, colic, disrupted routines, or simply exhaustion, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

My Peaceful Sleep Support Call is perfect for asking questions and exploring gentle changes. If you're ready for a deeper level of support, my One-to-One Sleep Service offers a fully personalised sleep plan, tailored to your family’s unique needs — with ongoing guidance from me every step of the way.

You’re Not Alone

Your baby waking at night doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It means they’re human, and that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get support.

If you're ready to take a step toward more peaceful nights, you can learn more about my Peaceful Sleep Support Call or One-to-One Sleep Service, to get started.

You deserve rest, too. And I’m here to help you get there.